Watching Barbra Streisand in Hello, Dolly on TV as a child made Rakie want to take up acting. [28] She was approached about returning to the show in a more permanent role by BBC casting director Julie Harkin. "Noma Dumezweni on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child's next steps", "Bafta Television Awards 2021: The main nominations", "I thought I was diabetic - but I was pregnant", "BBC - Press Office - Sea of Souls Rakie Ayola", "Education: Actress honoured with fellowship", "BBC Online - Just the Job - Take it from me", "Interview: Rakie's lesson one: Fake blood just sticks to the cotton wool", "He m@il She m@il; Rakie Ayola answers your questions", "To be but not to be - the 'perfect' Hamlet pairing", "My Axed Show Anger - Star Rakie blasts Beeb", "Sexy brief's soap role fits like a glove", "I was just a baby but mum left me behind; TV sitcom star Rakie Ayola on her traumatic childhood", "CBBC's new musical comedy My Almost Famous Family: Rakie Ayola is mum and diva Shalondra", "Motherhood leaves Rakie with nothing to Dredd from acting", "Who are the new Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast? When she took the award and went offstage, she crouched on the floor and sobbed, thinking about her mother, who had died at the age she now was. No Doubt In 2001, Rakie appeared in EastEnders as teacher Miss French. The star played Kyla from February 2006 to December 2008 and has also starred in sister show Casualty. Rakie is a Trustee of ACT, the Actors Childrens Trust, and an Ambassador of PIPA, Parents in Performing Arts. Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions. 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. She remembers attending those awards, the room sparse due to Covid restrictions, and looking around to see her competitors including Helena Bonham Carter and Sophie Okonedo, expecting that they would win, being shocked when her name was called and taking a while to move from her seat. The Bafta-winning actor is returning to The Pact as a different character. [10] She worked as a chambermaid whilst attending drama school, and, six weeks prior to graduation, was offered a job with the 'Made in Wales' theatre company which enabled her to obtain her union card. 22 May 2021. Rakie Ayola. "[7] She then went on to attend the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, studying for a three-year acting diploma. "[14] Ayola recalls having been daunted at the prospect of working alongside so many established names, but has said it was a "wonderful experience". [] I also like the fact that there were a lot of politically-correct boxes being ticked, but the writers and producer havent been restrained by that. [41] She received Honourable Mention for the same role the following year,[42] and was shortlisted again in 2008. Rakie Ayola is a voice actor known for voicing Zalika. Read on to find out why and to learn about her two characters past and present in The Pact. Ayola has appeared in television shows including Black Mirror, Noughts + Crosses, Doctor Who, Silent Witness and EastEnders, a number of Shakespearean theatrical performances and feature films such as Great Moments in Aviation, The i Inside and Sahara. The hit West End musical Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is set to have its cast refreshed, with Holby City's Rakie Ayola taking over as Hermione Granger and Waterloo Road's Jamie Glover . In 2017, Ayola took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. His daughter, Eluned Morgan, now Baroness Ely, the Welsh health minister, reminded me when we met recently that I was never out of that church. Ayolas first film appearance was in the 1993 film Great Moments in Aviation, written by Jeanette Winterson, in which she starred alongside Jonathan Pryce and John Hurt. In 2017, Ayola took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. CHILDREN : Two daughters, Tansy (b.2004) and Shani (b.2009) FAMILY : Her mother, from Sierra Leone, was the second wife of a wealthy Nigerian. While her character is good at her job, shes not the stereotypical police officer. Christine is the matriarch of the Rees family. Then The Pact was recommissioned (for another series) so I thought I wouldnt hear from him for a year! [21] In 2008, she starred in the Doctor Who episode "Midnight", playing an intergalactic Hostess alongside David Tennant's Tenth Doctor. Performance & security by Cloudflare. If youre like Sharon, front and centre of a film like Dune, its not [usually] the first time in your 50s, as a Black British woman., Winning her own Bafta is a moment Ayola still hasnt quite comprehended. She states of this: Shakespeare keeps coming my way. Sign up for Bustle UK's twice-weekly newsletter, featuring the latest must-watch TV, moving personal stories, and expert advice on the hottest viral buys. In 2021, she won a BAFTA for her role in the BBC One drama Anthony.[2]. "[39] In 2008, Ayola offered her support to the Action for Southern Africa campaign Dignity! She told the FT that her drama teacher and head of studies at college encouraged her passion for drama and love of Shakespeare. But in her 50s, Ayola has found a confidence that she did not have in her 20s. Rakie Olufunmilayo AyolaListen (born May 1968) is a Welsh actress known for her work in theatre and television. You suddenly realise youre doing exactly the thing they asked of you even though you didnt plan to. The drama was based on the real-life 2005 murder of Anthony Walker in a racist attack in Liverpool. She appeared as Kyla Tyson in the BBC medical drama Holby City from its eighth to eleventh series. "With so much at stake, his colleague Detective Sergeant Glenn Branson knows he has more to give and asks him for help with a case., Alongside John Simm, Rakie Ayola is starring as ACC Vosper. Ayola's heritage means she is Yoruba by descent, although she does not speak the language. Ayola has an interest in travel, and has visited Peru and Kenya among other destinations. She explains: Ive always wanted to act. [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. It would be nice just to stay put for a while. In 2016 she took on the role of matriarch Nora Attah, the head of a crime family, in series 2 of Channel 4s police comedy drama No Offence. The little girl in me went: Youve actually been dreaming about this for ever.. She appeared from 7 February 2006 to 9 December 2008, from the series eight episode "I'll Be Back" to the series eleven episode "Sweet Bitter Love". Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix. Its an unusual move, but, she says, having connected with a group of performers of colour who have her back, shes learned to dream bigger. In the summer of 1992, having moved to Elephant and Castle, she remembers auditioning for Beeban Kidrons drama Great Moments in Aviation, which she starred in alongside John Hurt, Jonathan Pryce and Vanessa Redgrave. I've loved that one month it's Sahara in Morocco and the next I'm doing a stage play, then it's a six-part telly thing. Heres what we know. Rakie Ayola also starred in one of 2020s most heart-rending TV shows. 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. Describing her motivation, she states: I am not an overtly political person. But behind her smile and no-nonsense manner is a web of secrets. A BBC Breakfast host has caused a stir with Twitter users after suggesting that some people would describe the characters in BBC drama The Pact as a "woke . In 2017, Ayola took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. [46] Between 2003 and 2008 she starred in Holby City and played Olivia Lennox in season five of Shetland. 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. DS Holland - Rakie Ayola (Image: BBC / Little Door (The Pact) / Warren Orchard) Rakie is another Welsh actor with a great CV and has played a wealth of great characters. [15] In 1996, Ayola appeared at the National Theatre in Helen Edmundson's adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. At the age of 13, she set up a theatre company, the Talent Amateur Dramatic Society, with a few friends. TV lovers will recognise Rakie for her role in BBC medical drama Holby City as nurse Kyla Tyson. [33] She was made a Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2003. Discover Rakie Ayolas Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Their second daughter, Shani, was born in January 2009. So why is she back in the new role? [11] In 1991 she played Hazel in John Godber's Up 'n' Under at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. She is an actress and producer, known for, Zombie Army 4: Dead War: Return to Hell and Free Left 4 Dead Character Pack, Zombie Army 4: Dead War: Terminal Error Trailer, Zombie Army 4: Dead War: Free New Gen Upgrade, Zombie Army 4: Dead War: Dead Zeppelin Trailer, Zombie Army 4: Dead War: Alpine Blitz Trailer. In the same year, she also starred as Prime Minister Opal Folami in BBC drama Noughts and Crosses. Ayola is an advocate of increased ethnic representation in the entertainment industry, and in 2001 founded her own production company, producing the short film Persephones Playground for the Cannes film festival in order to further her campaign. She presented the film at the Cannes film festival, using it as part of her campaign for increased black representation in theatre, films and television. Rakie Ayola's wins Supporting Actress Win for Anthony at the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards 2021.subscribe to BAFTA https://youtube.com/user/BAFTAonlinecheck. She had previously appeared in Holby Citys sister show Casualty, and had made an appearance in Holby Citys fifth series as patient Marianne Lawson. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. [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. Intense focus Rakie Ayola and Jordan Wilks in a scene from the forthcoming series of The Pact. The actress first rose to fame when she bagged the lead of the 1993 Jeanette Winterson screenplay Great Moments in. Jack. Be the first to contribute! She received Honourable Mention for the same role the following year, and was shortlisted again in 2008. Ive loved that one month its Sahara in Morocco and the next Im doing a stage play, then its a six-part telly thing. 1am - 4am, Don't Speak Rakie Ayola: I seem to be able to breathe life into all this grief and loss, 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. She stated: "The script made me laugh out loud when I read it. Speaking about the obligation that came with the role to the Evening Standard, Ayola said I was so nervous because [Gee] was there and I got quieter and quieter as we went on and got closer to the event [the killing]. Rakie Ayola, a Welsh actress best known for her roles in Grace, Black Mirror, Noughts + Crosses and Doctor Who. Ayola's first major television role was in the ITV drama Soldier Soldier, in which she starred throughout its third series in 1993 as soldier's wife Bernie Roberts. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1897d5e9d97ba1 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. In 2006, Ayola was shortlisted for the Female Performance in TV award in the Screen Nation Awards, receiving Honourable Mention in the same category in 2007, and a further shortlisted nomination in 2008. 22 48 1,389 Show this thread Rakie Ayola Still Menopausal @RakieAyola Rakie Ayola Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Family. In 2001, Ayola founded a production company and directed a short film entitled Persephones Playground. TV Shows. So, instead of bowing to this altar, theyve said, Okay, we have this family thats half-black, half-white, half-American, half-British. She went on to play troubled nurse Kyla Tyson in Holby City from 2006-8, who endured domestic violence and alcoholism. Ayola also took on the formidable role of Prime Minister Opal Folami in BBCs Noughts and Crosses. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Period, aiming to provide affordable sanitary protection to Zimbabwean women. Describing her motivation, she states: "I am not an overtly political person. [3] She was raised by her mother's cousin and his wife in Ely, Cardiff. But he got back in touch (with the script for series 2) and said: Just have a look at this., I didnt really know where I might fit in, but when I read it again through Christines eyes I thought, Ah, right, this is it. Your IP: [3] They met again two years later, during a production of Twelfth Night, and went on to become a couple. A local reverend, Bob Morgan, allowed them to make use of his church hall for rehearsals. Bill Alexander was director. [4] Ayola's heritage means she is Yoruba by descent, although she does not speak the language. Ayola credits her chemistry with co-star Akim Mogaji, who played her on-screen husband Luke Roberts, for winning her her audition. This is a list of characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, ordered by the year in which they made their final appearance. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1897491aba2042 For a full list of present characters, see list of characters from EastEnders . [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. [9] Ayola's first job was selling jeans on Bessemer Road Market in Cardiff. She has a collection of Troll dolls which she keeps under her bath. [6], During a 1998 production of Hamlet, Ayola met her future husband, fellow actor Adam Smethurst son of Love Thy Neighbour star Jack Smethurst. She has since concluded that the kind of audience they would like to bring in with shows like Double Yellow arent really into watching TV, but at the time was outspoken against the shows cancellation, stating: Ayola has undertaken the following roles from her screen and televisual debut in 1993, to the present day. Unforced and appealing, she often succeeds in pulling the fanciful fireworks momentarily back down to Earth. [] They are not being sold as a reason to watch. She believes that her career would have taken her in a different direction were she not of ethnic origin, stating: I could not have played any of the roles I have played on TV if I was white [] I am very aware of where the glass ceiling is and its still very low and expectations are still very low. During a 1998 production of Hamlet, Ayola met her future husband, fellow actor Adam Smethurst son of Love Thy Neighbour star Jack Smethurst. The Pact airs later this month on BBC One. Ayola has worked in theatre, film and television, appearing in a number of Shakespearean theatrical performances, Hollywood films The i Inside and Sahara, and British television shows including Soldier Soldier, EastEnders, Sea of Souls and Doctor Who. It was something innovative from BBC Wales for a change. Ayola describes herself as optimistic, cynical, lazy, naive [and] honest. Welsh actress Rakie Ayola is to leave Holby City at the end of the year, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal. She is getting on with life the way people do. She began her professional career in classical theater, but by the early 1990s was . [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. Ayola placed 17th in the awards in 2009. 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