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] |
† | 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
- ^ newstem4. "stem4 - Ambassadors". stem4 - Teenage Mental Health Charity. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Rosie Day on 'Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon'". The Book of Man. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Production of Summerfolk | Theatricalia". Theatricalia.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Rosie Day to play Angel in The Seasoning House". Templeheart Films. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ Watson, David (19 June 2013). "The Seasoning House Review". WhatCulture. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ Taylor, Lauren (17 December 2013). "[BD Review] 'The Seasoning House' Is Brilliantly Raw". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b "2013 Festival Winners". ScreamfestLA.com. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ Young, Sage (27 May 2016). "'Outlander's Mary Hawkins Scene Was Handled Well". Bustle. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Screen unveils 2013 UK Stars of Tomorrow". Screen Daily. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Vineyard, Jessica (30 April 2016). "Outlander's Rosie Day on Suffocating Corsets, Time Travel, and Rape Culture". Vulture. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (11 February 2017). "Butterfly Kisses review: confident London story of young love and old secrets". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Berlin: 'Butterfly Kisses' Wins Crystal Bear for Best Film in Generation Sidebar". The Hollywood Reporter. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ "Down a Dark Hall: Rosie Day Interview". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ Ide, Wendy (28 November 2020). "Reviews: 'Baby': Tallinn Review". Screen Daily.
- ^ Richardson, Jay (2 February 2021). "Russell Tovey & Sian Clifford star in new improvised film". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ Bevan, Bella (7 August 2020). "BWW Interview: Rosie Day Chats INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TEENAGE ARMAGEDDON at BarnFest, Cirencester". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ Hood, Alun (11 February 2022). "Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon at Southwark Playhouse – review". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (14 October 2016). "Noah Silver and Rosie Day Tread 'Down A Dark Hall'". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ Lattila, Maria (3 April 2024). "John Jencks' Promenade begins filming in Brighton". Film Stories. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Exclusive: Rosie Day joins 'Outlander' season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ "Philip Glenister and Lesley Sharp star in Sky 1 comedy Living the Dream". Royal Television Society. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ "Rob Delaney pilots a 'dark comedy' for Channel 4". Chortle. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ 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.