Emily Atack, best known for her roles in The Inbetweeners and Rivals, showcased her recent weight loss in a stylish baggy dress on Instagram Stories on Thursday, July 17. The 36-year-old actress, who welcomed son Barney with partner Dr. Alistair Garner in 2024, has opened up about the health battle that led to her shedding pounds.
Weight Loss and Sepsis Battle
Atack tied back her blonde hair, accessorized with red beads, and posed for the camera. In a humorous video, she admitted to being dragged around a garden centre during the "worst hangover of all time." However, the weight loss stems from a serious health issue: she suffered from sepsis shortly after giving birth. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that requires urgent hospital treatment, according to the NHS.
Body Image and Public Scrutiny
Earlier this year, Atack spoke candidly about the fluctuations in her body and the health struggle post-pregnancy. In an interview with Grazia, she said: "I was trolled for being enormous when I was pregnant and I’m now trolled for having lost weight. My body holds all my trauma as well as my happiness and joy. I went through a very difficult pregnancy. I was very ill after the birth. I had sepsis, I couldn’t leave the house for weeks. It was awful."
She added: "I’m just asking people for a little bit of patience and understanding at such a complex thing. Women’s bodies change all the time. I am so done with defending it."
Return to Work
Atack returned to work just 11 weeks postpartum for her Disney+ series Rivals. Despite loving the experience, it was physically demanding. She told HELLO! magazine: "It was a lovely job, but that was really tough. My body was still in pieces. I could barely walk, but I had to get back to work."
