I was very proud of it. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. And then he came back with The Pact series two and said we want you to play the lead and have an exec producer role. She arrived thinking she was on the path for musicals but found that, although she could sing well, she did not have the voice of her idol, Streisand. She is working and taking care of the others.. "[34], Throughout her career, Ayola has been outspoken on the subject of racial discrimination in the entertainment industry. If I'm going to be a working mum I'd rather just be one rather than be one intermittently. And fans of ITV1s Grace series, which began in 2021 and stars John Simm as DS Roy Grace, will recognise her as no-nonsense copper ACC Alison Vosper. [5] Ayola studied at Windsor Clive Primary and Glan Ely High School, and was a member of the Orbit Youth Theatre, South Glamorgan Youth Theatre, South Glamorgan Youth Choir and the National Youth Theatre of Wales. A local reverend, Bob Morgan, allowed them to make use of his church hall for rehearsals. She began her professional career in classical theater, but by the early 1990s was . The little girl in me went: Youve actually been dreaming about this for ever.. In the same year, she also starred as Prime Minister Opal Folami in BBC drama Noughts and Crosses. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Rakie Ayola was born on 11 May 1968 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. In her latest role, Ayola plays DS Holland, the senior detective investigating the death of Jack Holland. It would be nice just to stay put for a while. [28] She was approached about returning to the show in a more permanent role by BBC casting director Julie Harkin. Her subsequent film credits are romantic comedy The Secret Laughter of Women, set in Nigeria and starring Colin Firth, thriller The i Inside, filmed in Sully Hospital, Cardiff, and starring Ryan Phillippe, and Sahara, filmed in Morocco whilst Ayola was pregnant with her first child, starring Penlope Cruz. This dramatic vein pulses in her role in the upcoming second series of The Pact. For a full list of present characters, see list of characters from EastEnders . Ayola credits her chemistry with co-star Akim Mogaji, who played her on-screen husband Luke Roberts, for winning her her audition. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There were pictures of all the big stars, and youre not even on the back, even though the blurb couldnt tell the story without the story of the character you were playing. [3] She was raised by her mother's cousin and his wife in Ely, Cardiff. [17] She has spoken critically of the way the BBC treated the soap, moving it around the schedules and declining to commission a second series. But by this time, she had been involved in the South Glamorgan youth theatre and other local amateur dramatic companies, and while she wasnt blind to the fact she was the only young Black actor in these spaces, she didnt think that she should be limited in ambition due to skin colour. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. I was so bad with the budget that I just said yes to everything and then had to worry about how to pay for things at the end. In 2008, Ayola offered her support to the Action for Southern Africa campaign Dignity! But behind her smile and no-nonsense manner is a web of secrets. Currently taking BBC One by storm - episodes 5 and 6 air next . [37] She has noted having casting directors accept the notion of characters being both black and Welsh to be a particular problem, explaining that: "I get offered a lot of very different roles, but they're never Welsh. Cardiff would become the the genesis and spiritual home of Ayolas career. EastEnders (TV Series 1985-2022) - Rakie Ayola as Ms. French. After graduating, Ayola starred in Soldier, Soldier, Maisie Raine, and Eastenders. Plays Kyla Tyson. Who plays ACC Vosper in ITV's Grace and what has she been in before? The synopsis reads: "Grace is fixated by the disappearance of his beloved wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts. [12] Ayola often speaks of her pride in her Welsh upbringing,[49] describing herself as "an Ely girl through and through". She appeared as Kyla Tyson in the BBC medical drama Holby City from its eighth to eleventh series. In 2021, she won a BAFTA for her role in the BBC One drama Anthony.[2]. [12] She has identified her dream role to be that of Isabella in Measure for Measure,[13] as she once lost out on the part and would like to prove herself capable of playing it. She remembers Harvey Weinstein staring at her on set, though not lasciviously. [6] Her first acting role was for the Welsh Eisteddfod when still at primary school, playing a lady-in-waiting at the court of King Arthur. The actor Sharon Duncan-Brewster had brought together Ayola, Noma Dumezweni, Michelle Greenidge, Michele Austin and Martina Laird, among other Black female actors and told them: This business is about to decide it doesnt need us any more. Ayola has performed in Twelfth Night in the lead roles of both Olivia and Viola. That was when, as confirmed by the BBC listings. Simon Beale Period, aiming to provide affordable sanitary protection to Zimbabwean women.[40]. 173.236.136.90 She spends her free time watching television, the theatre, cinema, concerts, indoor wall climbing [and] keeping fit [with] yoga [and] aerobics. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for List of former EastEnders characters. Ayola was born in London but raised by her mothers cousin in Wales. She joined the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, London from 24 May 2017, playing the role of Hermione Granger. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The story picks up 18 months after the death of her fourth child, Liam. Ayola describes herself as optimistic, cynical, lazy, naive [and] honest. Rakie Ayola talks about attending her first BAFTA Awards and what it was like playing Gee Walker in Anthony. [] Also, I have to say that Double Yellow was nominated for a Bafta Cymru award. [16] Ayola says of her film career: "I really like doing film [but] I've not done enough big films though to really know the difference between film and television."[11]. Be the first to contribute! Rakie Ayola's character Christine lives in a house at Llantwit Major on the Bristol Channel coast.. In 2017, Rakie took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. They met when acting together on stage in Hamlet. The Financial Times reports that Ayola attended Windsor Clive Primary and Glan Ely High School in Cardiff before studying at the Welsh College of Music and Drama (now known as the Royal Welsh College.) The Pact series 2 ending explained after that almighty twist! Read on to find out why and to learn about her two characters past and present in The Pact. [8] Her subsequent film credits are romantic comedy The Secret Laughter of Women, set in Nigeria and starring Colin Firth,[15] thriller The i Inside, filmed in Sully Hospital, Cardiff, and starring Ryan Phillippe,[13] and Sahara, filmed in Morocco whilst Ayola was pregnant with her first child, starring Penlope Cruz. Rakie Ayola (Rakie Olufunmilayo Ayoola) was born on 1968-05- in Cardiff, is an Actress. [8] Ayola has stated that it was Barbra Streisand's performance in Hello, Dolly! The Pact series 2 episode 5 review - five things we want to know [Spoilers] The Pact series 2 episode 4 review: five . His unorthodox police methods have come under scrutiny once again and Grace is walking a career tightrope and risks being moved from the job he loves most. Pedro Pascals Cameo In Buffy The Vampire Slayer Is The Ultimate Throwback, Courteney Cox Reunited With Her 'Friends' Co-Stars For The Best Reason, The Real Reason Selena Gomez Hid Her Love Of Friends' For Years, Nicola Coughlan Just Leaked The Funniest BTS Snap From 'Bridgerton' S3. T hanks to the internet, Rakie Ayola can pinpoint the exact moment that she knew she wanted a career in showbusiness: 8.15pm on 19 December 1976. But last summer I started thinking it would be really nice not to have to look for a job every couple of weeks. She acted alongside Pauline Quirke in both Maisie Raine and Being April, deeming Quirke to be a fantastic actress, and one she would work alongside again like a shot. But the way the BBC axed it mid-series was unforgivable. Rakie Ayola. Welsh actress Rakie Ayola is to leave Holby City at the end of the year, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal. While her character is good at her job, shes not the stereotypical police officer. 1am - 4am, Don't Speak This is a list of characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, ordered by the year in which they made their final appearance. The mum-of-two went on to appear in episodes of Black Mirror, Stella and Silent Witness. Its a cause very close to Ayolas heart, as Vanity Fair reports, her eldest daughter, Tansy, was diagnosed with incurable neurofibromatosis type one when she was eight. Movies. Ayola is an advocate of increased ethnic representation in the entertainment industry, and in 2001 founded her own production company, producing the short film Persephone's Playground for the Cannes Film Festival in order to further her campaign. [9] Ayola's first job was selling jeans on Bessemer Road Market in Cardiff. In 2017, Ayola took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Rakie Ayola also starred in one of 2020s most heart-rending TV shows. Ayola signed a three-year contract to play Kyla,[30] and described herself as "very similar" to her character,[31] speaking positively about her working relationship with co-stars Jaye Jacobs and Sharon D. Clarke,[32] as well as the "dream" storylines her character was given. The show's writer Pete has spoken about the importance of the location. She posed nude but for a pair of yellow rubber gloves to promote the shows launch, and was highly critical of the BBC when the show was cancelled midway through its second series. It was so unexpected. This industry has never been easy for Ayola; her transition from Cardiff to London had in some ways mired her career. Ayola studied at Windsor Clive Primary and Glan Ely High School, and was a member of the Orbit Youth Theatre, South Glamorgan Youth Theatre, South Glamorgan Youth Choir and the National Youth Theatre of Wales. The charity works to connect children and families living with neurofibromatosis type one. [1] In 2020, she won the Best Female Actor in a Play award at the Black British Theatre Awards for her performance in On Bear Ridge for National Theatre Wales and the Royal Court. Variety magazines David Rooney said of her performance: In the films most naturalistic turn, Ayola is a constant pleasure to watch. CREDITS. ", "Black Wales; After Halle Berry and Denzil Washington's Oscar success, we find out what it means to be black and Welsh today", "Are we less racist than the rest of Britain? [35] The project, however, was largely unsuccessful, with Ayola stating: "it just made me decide that if there's anything I don't want to do, it's produce films, because I'm rubbish at it. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Wikiwand is the world's leading Wikipedia reader for web and mobile. In 2001, Rakie appeared in EastEnders as teacher Miss French. But who is Rakie and who did she play in Holby City? In July last year, Ayola played Gee Walker in BBC Ones TV movie Anthony. Intense focus Rakie Ayola and Jordan Wilks in a scene from the forthcoming series of The Pact. She had previously appeared in Holby Citys sister show Casualty, and had made an appearance in Holby Citys fifth series as patient Marianne Lawson. Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2020-2021. Rakie Ayola stars in The Pact series 2 as new character Christine and, yes, if youre wondering, she was in series one as someone else! [46] When shes not acting Ayola spends a lot of time advocating for the Childhood Tumour Trust (CTT). In 2001, she became a presenter of the BBC Wales arts programme Double Yellow, alongside poet Owen Sheers and performance artist Mark Rees. She left high school before sitting her A Levels in order to pursue her ambition of becoming an actress. She went on to appear in Gone With the Wind sequel Scarlett, and star in Welsh soap opera Tiger Bay. I liked that. In 2021, she won a BAFTA for her role in the BBC One drama Anthony.[2]. That was when, as confirmed by the. [] The one time I was asked to play a Welsh character on screen was in Tiger Bay for BBC Wales, but I know if that series had been called Radyr Park or Cyncoed Close I wouldnt have been in it. Rakie Ayolas income source is mostly from being a successful Actress. Ayola has also performed in Twelfth Night in the lead roles of both Olivia and Viola. Ayola told Radio Times: She probably wasnt a brilliant bobby on the beat; she would have done what she needed to do, but thats not where her strengths are, she said on the Radio Times, Her strengths are in detecting understanding the kind of person that would commit a crime and why they would do it, then looking into that.. Ayola. At 53 years old, Rakie Ayola height is 1.65m . ", "Miriam-Teak Lee and Rakie Ayola win at Black British Theatre Awards", "Meet the Derry woman with stars in her eyes", "I was going potty before I joined Holby", "To be but not to be - the 'perfect' Hamlet pairing. They have two daughters, Tansy and Shani, born in 2004 and 2009. It was my second home!, In her later years at school, when asked what she wanted to do for a living, she would say: I want to act. Her careers officer suggested she consider being a drama teacher instead. Ayola says of her film career: I really like doing film [but] Ive not done enough big films though to really know the difference between film and television.. When I saw this woman singing and dancing in a big hat, I thought: I want to do what she is doing sing and dance in the street and for it to be OK, Ayola says. In an interview with the publication she said, My drama teacher took me to youth theatre. He felt I was too dark. The film was not released for two years, then went straight to TV in the UK and straight to DVD in the US. Home . Ayolas heritage means she is Yoruba by descent, although she does not speak the language. "[11] She has also appeared in modern performances, assuming the title role of Dido, Queen of Carthage at the Globe Theatre in London in 2003, which she described as "a dream of a part". Series 1: Meet the Cast The actress first rose to fame when she bagged the lead of the 1993 Jeanette Winterson screenplay Great Moments in. Ayola made her screen debut in 1993 and has since worked in many movies and TV series such as The I Inside, Sahara, Been So Long, Nightshift, Doctor Who, Black Mirror, Grace, to name a few. Discover Rakie Ayolas Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. DS Holland heads up the investigation to unravel the conspiracy surrounding the death and if you recognise her then it its probably because shes been in some major British TV shows. [26], In 2020, she won the Best Female Actor in a Play award at the Black British Theatre Awards for her performance in On Bear Ridge for National Theatre Wales and the Royal Court. After graduating, Ayola starred in Soldier, Soldier, Maisie Raine, and Eastenders. So why is she back in the new role? She stated: The script made me laugh out loud when I read it. She is getting on with life the way people do. Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix. [43] In 2005, WalesOnline voted Ayola the 29th sexiest woman in Wales, saying of her: "One of our favourite thesps, she's black, beautiful and the term "yummy mummy" should have been made for her. Series 2: Meet the Characters View Series 2: Meet the Characters. Her first acting role was for the Welsh Eisteddfod when still at primary school, playing a lady-in-waiting at the court of King Arthur. I decided at 16 I wanted to make my living acting, but even if I couldn't, Id be in an amateur theatre company. [29] After a series of three meetings, a year after the birth of her first child, she agreed to assume the role of Kyla, despite being "nervous about signing such a long contract",[21] stating: "I've been someone who's loved the uncertainty of acting. [] They are not being sold as a reason to watch. The Pact series 2 ending explained after that almighty twist! She had previously appeared in Holby City's sister show Casualty,[9] and had made an appearance in Holby City's fifth series as patient Marianne Lawson. [3] They met again two years later, during a production of Twelfth Night, and went on to become a couple. HUSBAND : Actor, Adam Smethhurst. I just want fairness". Ayolas other notable television appearances include the BBC psychological thriller Green-Eyed Monster (2001), soap opera EastEnders (2001), Waking the Dead (2001), Londons Burning (2001), Offenders (2002), Murder in Mind (2003), The Canterbury Tales (2003) and Sea of Souls (2004). [51], Ayola has undertaken the following roles from her screen and televisual debut in 1993, to the present day.[52][53]. That introduced me to the very vibrant amateur scene in Cardiff; I auditioned for anything I was eligible for.. That was really interesting to play.. If you havent been nominated for a Bafta before 52 youre not meant to be nominated and take the Bafta home. She has three grown-up children: Will (Lloyd Everitt); Jamie (Aaron Anthony); Megan (Mali Ann Rees). [18] She posed nude but for a pair of yellow rubber gloves to promote the show's launch, and was highly critical of the BBC when the show was cancelled midway through its second series. [11] In 1991 she played Hazel in John Godber's Up 'n' Under at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. Played by Aneurin Barnard. The actress first rose to fame when she bagged the lead of the 1993 Jeanette Winterson screenplay Great Moments in Aviation. In 2005, WalesOnline voted Ayola the 29th sexiest woman in Wales, saying of her: One of our favourite thesps, shes black, beautiful and the term yummy mummy should have been made for her. She placed 40th in 2008, with the Western Mail noting: the last 15 years have only seen Rakie become more beautiful and more successful. No Doubt We have a mix of boys and girls, one character who's mixed-raced and deaf but we're not going to be restrained by any of that. She has noted having casting directors accept the notion of characters being both black and Welsh to be a particular problem, explaining that: I get offered a lot of very different roles, but theyre never Welsh. Block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command malformed. 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