Rosie Day

Rosie Jane Day is an English actress, author, playwright, and filmmaker. She is known for her portrayals of Mary Hawkins in the Starz historical drama series Outlander (2016), Tina Pemberton in Sky One's comedy-drama series Living the Dream (2017–2019), Summer Falk in the romantic comedy film All Roads Lead to Rome (2016), and Sierra in the supernatural horror film Down a Dark Hall (2018).

Day is an ambassador for stem4, a teenage mental health charity.[1] Her debut book, Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon—based on her one-woman play of the same name—was published in 2021.[2]

Career

At the age of four, Day was spotted by a casting agent and given her first role, playing Emma on the first season of the BBC drama series Hope and Glory, which aired in 1999.[3] She featured as one of the Dudakov children in Summerfolk, a play by Maxim Gorky, at the Royal National Theatre the following year.[4] Day went on to appear as a child actor in such series as Black Books, Family Affairs, Bernard's Watch, My Life as a Popat, and Harley Street. Though she did not train professionally, Day drew from her experiences working alongside her adult co-stars, studying and imitating them.[3]

In 2010, at age 16, Day played Naomi in the Anya Reiss play Spur of the Moment on the West End.[5] She made her feature film debut in 2012, starring as sex-trafficking victim Angel in the horror film The Seasoning House.[6] The role brought her critical acclaim,[7][8] as well as a Best Actress win at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival.[9] To prepare for the part, Day conducted extensive research into "the experience of women who [had] been in that situation",[10] while also learning sign language.[11] She later said that playing Angel had "certainly had an effect" on her.[11] In 2013, Day was chosen as one of Screen International's "Stars of Tomorrow".[12]

In 2015, Day starred as Sarah Jessica Parker's rebellious teenage daughter in the romantic comedy All Roads Lead To Rome, referring to Parker as "a huge influence".[11] From there, she returned to the small screen for the recurring role of Mary Hawkins on the second season of the Starz historical drama, Outlander. Airing in 2016,[13] Day was suggested for the part by Scottish actor Sam Heughan, whom she had worked with two years previously.[14]

Day's performance in the 2017 drama Butterfly Kisses was well received,[15] with the film going on to win a Crystal Bear at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival.[16] Day appeared as Pam Tennison in the ITV miniseries Prime Suspect 1973 that same year, and began starring as Tina Pemberton in the Sky One comedy-drama series Living the Dream; a role she played until 2019.

In 2018, Day starred as Sierra, a troubled boarding school pupil, in the supernatural horror film Down a Dark Hall. Describing herself as a feminist, Day said that she was attracted to the project because of its female-centred approach.[17] She then portrayed actress Jane Asher in a 2019 episode of Sky Arts' Urban Myths, and starred as the drug-addicted mother of a newborn in the 2020 psychological thriller film Baby, with Screen Daily describing her performance in the latter as "expressive" and "persuasive".[18]

Day starred in the improvisational comedy film Real Love in 2021,[19] as well as voicing the character of Meteion in the video game Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. Following guest roles on McDonald & Dodds and Call the Midwife that same year, Day appeared in the self-penned one-woman play, Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon, which—after previewing in 2020—ran for three weeks at the Southwark Playhouse between February and March 2022.[20] Writing for WhatsOnStage.com, Alun Hood described her portrayal of Eileen in Armageddon as "impressive and unsettling", adding that it was imbued with "sparky, nihilistic wit".[21] Next, Day co-starred as murder victim Kelly Flint in the vigilante thriller film Hard Home, which debuted on streaming platforms in 2024.[22]

Other work

It was announced in March 2025 that Day's debut novel, Vipers, had been acquired by Serpent's Tail for release in 2027.[23] It follows the publication of her non-fiction book, Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon, in 2021.[2]

Filmography

Feature film

Year Title Role Notes
2012 The Seasoning House Angel Winner: Best Actress, Screamfest[9]
2013 Sixteen Chloe
Ironclad: Battle for Blood Kate De Vesci
2014 Heart of Lightness Hilde
2015 Howl Nina
All Roads Lead to Rome Summer [24]
2017 Butterfly Kisses Zara
2018 Down a Dark Hall Sierra [25]
The Convent Sister Emeline
Peripheral Shelly
2020 Indigo Valley Louise
Baby Neska
2024 Hard Home Kelly Flint
TBA Brighton Storeys † Unknown [26]
Key
† Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Hope and Glory Emma Main cast (series 1)
2000 Black Books Lucy 3 episodes
2002 In Deep Charlotte 2 episodes
Big Train Jenny Episode #2.3
Family Affairs Harriet Matherson 7 episodes
Darwin's Daughter Etty Darwin Television film
2003 Trust Emma Naylor Miniseries; main cast
2004–2005 Bernard's Watch Nicolette Ashbury Main cast
2006 The Large Family Laura Large (voice) Main cast
The Romantics Dorothy Wordsworth Episode: "Liberty"
2007 Fallen Angel Lucy (voice) Episode: "The Four Last Things"
My Life as a Popat Tatiana Main cast (series 2)
2008 Harley Street Tess Elliot 4 episodes
2009 Half Moon Investigations Shell Travers Episode: "The Case of the Purple Pool"
2009; 2011 Doctors Meg White; Alice Goodson 2 episodes
2010 Summer in Transylvania Mirana Episode: "Attack of the Psycho Dates"
2012 Holby City Kay Barker Episode: "Butterflies"
DCI Banks Hannah Rothwell 2 episodes
Homefront Millie Bartham Miniseries; main cast
2013 Misfits Lucy Episode #5.1
2014 Siblings Ellie Episode: "Intern School"
2015 Cuffs Stacey Shawcross 3 episodes
2016 Grantchester Joan Episode #2.3
Outlander Mary Hawkins Recurring (series 2)[27]
2017 Prime Suspect 1973 Pam Tennison Miniseries; main cast
Watership Down Thethuthinnang (voice) Miniseries; main cast
2017–2019 Living the Dream Tina Main cast[28]
2018 Baby Shower Rosie Web series; episode: "Legend on Board"
2019 Frank Bonnie Unaired pilot[29]
Good Omens Lisa Episode: "The Doomsday Option"
Urban Myths Jane Asher Episode: "Paul McCartney's Scrambled Eggs"
2020 Agatha Raisin Karen Episode: "Love from Hell"
2021–2022 McDonald & Dodds Rose Boleyn 2 episodes
2021 Call the Midwife Anita Page Episode: "Christmas Special"
2022 The Sandman Tabby Kitten (voice) Episode: "Dream of a Thousand Cats"

Video game

Year Title Role Notes
2021 Bravely Default II Anihal
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Meteion / The Endsinger [30]
2022 Triangle Strategy Cordelia Glenbrook; Decimal; Quahaug [30]
Arknights Platinum
2023 Ten Dates Misha
Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed A [30]

Radio

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Mother Spy Janie Chisholm BBC Radio 4
2017 The Rosenthals Pippa Lloyd BBC Radio 4

Scripted podcast

Year Title Role Notes
2020 Doctor Who: The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Arn (voice) Episode: "The Undying Truth"
2021 The Worlds of Blake's 7 Alixa / Senna (voice) Episode: "Heart of Ice"
2025 Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures Betty (voice) Episode: "The Hellwood Inheritance"

As director

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Girl to Girl — Short film; also writer
2019 Tracks — Short film; also writer
2020 Celaine — Short film; also writer

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Summerfolk Anya Royal National Theatre
2001 The Playboy of the Western World Lily Royal National Theatre
2002 The Winter's Tale Bohemia Royal National Theatre
2006 Les Misérables Young Cosette Sondheim Theatre
2010 Spur of the Moment Naomi Royal Court Theatre
2011 Microwave Becky National Theatre Studio
2012 Pussy Riot Kate Royal Court Theatre
2014 Velocity Dot Finborough Theatre
2018 Again Izzy Trafalgar Studios
2019 The Girl Who Fell Billie Trafalgar Studios
2022 Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon Eileen Southwark Playhouse; also writer
The Fellowship Simone Hampstead Theatre
2024 When It Happens to You Esme Park Theatre
2025 (This is Not A) Happy Room Elle King's Head Theatre; also writer

References

  1. ^ newstem4. "stem4 - Ambassadors". stem4 - Teenage Mental Health Charity. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Rosie Day on 'Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon'". The Book of Man. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b Leonsis, Elle (11 February 2016). "Brit Takes: Rosie Day on Learning From Sarah Jessica Parker and Tackling Hollywood". IndieWire. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Production of Summerfolk | Theatricalia". Theatricalia.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  5. ^ Longman, Will (6 February 2018). "Rosie Day interview - 'It's time to change and put women at the forefront'". London Theatre Guide. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Rosie Day to play Angel in The Seasoning House". Templeheart Films. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  7. ^ Watson, David (19 June 2013). "The Seasoning House Review". WhatCulture. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  8. ^ Taylor, Lauren (17 December 2013). "[BD Review] 'The Seasoning House' Is Brilliantly Raw". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  9. ^ a b "2013 Festival Winners". ScreamfestLA.com. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  10. ^ Young, Sage (27 May 2016). "'Outlander's Mary Hawkins Scene Was Handled Well". Bustle. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  11. ^ a b c Corà, Angelica (9 January 2019). "Interview with Rosie Day: on 'Living the Dream' and Rocking the Industry". The Italian Rêve. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Screen unveils 2013 UK Stars of Tomorrow". Screen Daily. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  13. ^ Leeds, Sarene (26 June 2016). "'Outlander' Actress Rosie Day on Mary Hawkins's Season-Long Transformation". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  14. ^ Vineyard, Jessica (30 April 2016). "Outlander's Rosie Day on Suffocating Corsets, Time Travel, and Rape Culture". Vulture. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  15. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (11 February 2017). "Butterfly Kisses review: confident London story of young love and old secrets". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Berlin: 'Butterfly Kisses' Wins Crystal Bear for Best Film in Generation Sidebar". The Hollywood Reporter. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Down a Dark Hall: Rosie Day Interview". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  18. ^ Ide, Wendy (28 November 2020). "Reviews: 'Baby': Tallinn Review". Screen Daily.
  19. ^ Richardson, Jay (2 February 2021). "Russell Tovey & Sian Clifford star in new improvised film". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  20. ^ Bevan, Bella (7 August 2020). "BWW Interview: Rosie Day Chats INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TEENAGE ARMAGEDDON at BarnFest, Cirencester". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  21. ^ Hood, Alun (11 February 2022). "Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon at Southwark Playhouse – review". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  22. ^ Massoto, Erick (21 May 2024). "'Yellowjacket's Simone Kessell Turns a High-Tech House Against a Serial Killer in First 'Hard Home' Trailer [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  23. ^ Tivnan, Tom (13 March 2025). "Actor Rosie Day's 'beautiful and confronting' debut novel goes to Serpent's Tail". The Bookseller. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  24. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (17 October 2014). "Rosie Day Joins 'All Roads Lead To Rome'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  25. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (14 October 2016). "Noah Silver and Rosie Day Tread 'Down A Dark Hall'". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  26. ^ Lattila, Maria (3 April 2024). "John Jencks' Promenade begins filming in Brighton". Film Stories. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Exclusive: Rosie Day joins 'Outlander' season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  28. ^ "Philip Glenister and Lesley Sharp star in Sky 1 comedy Living the Dream". Royal Television Society. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  29. ^ "Rob Delaney pilots a 'dark comedy' for Channel 4". Chortle. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  30. ^ a b c "Rosie Day (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors (A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information). Retrieved 9 May 2023.