Ayola was born in Cardiff, Wales in May 1968, to a Sierra Leonean mother and a Nigerian father. If I'm going to be a working mum I'd rather just be one rather than be one intermittently. [8] She went on to appear in Gone With the Wind sequel Scarlett,[7] and star in Welsh soap opera Tiger Bay. EastEnders (TV Series 1985-2022) - Rakie Ayola as Ms. French - IMDb EastEnders (1985-2022) Rakie Ayola: Ms. French It looks like we don't have any photos or quotes yet. In 2016 she appeared in Vera in the episode Tuesdays Childshe played the role of Amber Haleford She will join the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, London from 24 May 2017, playing the role of Hermione Granger. 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.. [10] She spends her free time "watching television, the theatre, cinema, concerts, indoor wall climbing [and] keeping fit [with] yoga [and] aerobics". In 2009, Ayola starred in the CBBC musical comedy My Almost Famous Family. In 2008, she starred in the Doctor Who episode Midnight, playing an intergalactic Hostess alongside David Tennants Tenth Doctor. This is a list of characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, ordered by the year in which they made their final appearance. [21] In 2008, she starred in the Doctor Who episode "Midnight", playing an intergalactic Hostess alongside David Tennant's Tenth Doctor. [] They are not being sold as a reason to watch. Click to reveal Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1897d5e9d97ba1 The BBC drama sees Ayola, who has lived in London since the 1990s, return to Wales, where she was brought up on a council estate in Cardiff by her Sierra Leonean birth mothers cousin and his Welsh wife. Simon Beale She appeared as Kyla Tyson in the BBC medical drama Holby City from its eighth to eleventh series. 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.) Who plays ACC Vosper in ITV's Grace and what has she been in before? Rakie Ayola's character Christine lives in a house at Llantwit Major on the Bristol Channel coast.. But I had this dramatic vein, so leaned into that.. In 2017, Ayola took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. "So, instead of bowing to this altar, they've said, 'Okay, we have this family that's half-black, half-white, half-American, half-British. Rakie Ayola also starred in one of 2020s most heart-rending TV shows. "[24] She has also been cast in the film Dredd. 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. [12], Ayola's 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. [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. Rakie Olufunmilayo Ayola (born May 1968) is a Welsh actress, best known for her role as Kyla Tyson in the BBC medical drama Holby City. The 39-year-old, who has played the role of Kyla Tyson since February 2006, is to be. Christine's an experienced social worker who is devoted. Rakie Ayola talks about attending her first BAFTA Awards and what it was like playing Gee Walker in Anthony. Menu. 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. In the same year, she also starred as Prime Minister Opal Folami in BBC drama Noughts and Crosses. She explains: The role of Viola didnt sit that well with me for some reason but Olivia makes more sense. 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. She had previously appeared in Holby Citys sister show Casualty, and had made an appearance in Holby Citys fifth series as patient Marianne Lawson. When he ends up dead they all have serious questions to answer. Rakie was born in May 1968, making her 52-years-old. I'm very sorry to have to let her go.". 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. [46] We have a mix of boys and girls, one character whos mixed-raced and deaf but were not going to be restrained by any of that. But in her 50s, Ayola has found a confidence that she did not have in her 20s. Indeed she is! She has a collection of Troll dolls which she keeps under her bath. We had got on very well coming out of the first series. Can you list the top facts and stats about Rakie Ayola? [] 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. [47] Ayola has an interest in travel, and has visited Peru and Kenya among other destinations. She received Honourable Mention for the same role the following year, and was shortlisted again in 2008. It would be nice just to stay put for a while. 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. Rakie Ayola. 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. [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. They have two daughters, Tansy and Shani, born in 2004 and 2009. Yes, eagle-eyed viewers, Rakie Ayola was also in The Pact series 1 playing a different character! Rakie has had roles in Shetland, Silent Witness, Midsomer Murders and No Offence, as well as Hollywood films The i Inside and Sahara. But it was 2021 which really propelled Rakie to fame. [4] Ayola's heritage means she is Yoruba by descent, although she does not speak the language. She states of this: Shakespeare keeps coming my way. Shes also played one-off roles in Black Mirror and Doctor Who. 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. Rakie is a Trustee of ACT, the Actors' Children's Trust, and an Ambassador of PIPA, Parents in Performing Arts. She is working and taking care of the others.. She is set to portray DS Holland, who is in charge of the investigation. [27], From 7 February 2006 to 9 December 2008, Ayola starred in BBC medical drama Holby City as nurse Kyla Tyson. Sharp-eyed viewers will remember that Rakie also appeared in The Pact season 1. As far as I'm aware, the BBC only allowed it to be nominated for that one award, for the graphics. Rakie Ayola: 'I seem to be able to breathe life into all this grief and loss' The Bafta-winning actor is returning to The Pact as a different character. 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, stating: Ive been someone whos loved the uncertainty of acting. Their second daughter, Shani, was born in January 2009. She was approached about returning to the show in a more permanent role by BBC casting director Julie Harkin. Rakie Ayola in The Pact series 2 was in series 1 as different character! Ayola has also performed in Twelfth Night in the lead roles of both Olivia and Viola. Wikiwand is the world's leading Wikipedia reader for web and mobile. Rakie is a Trustee of ACT, the Actors Childrens Trust, and an Ambassador of PIPA, Parents in Performing Arts. 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 October 2008, Rakie announced that she would be leaving Holby City to have her second child. Add a photo or add a quote . They met when acting together on stage in Hamlet. 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. 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. The drama was based on the real-life 2005 murder of Anthony Walker in a racist attack in Liverpool. Ayola has an interest in travel, and has visited Peru and Kenya among other destinations. Period, aiming to provide affordable sanitary protection to Zimbabwean women.[40]. I decided at 16 I wanted to make my living acting, but even if I couldn't, Id be in an amateur theatre company. 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. 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. [33] She was made a Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2003. 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. Shawn Fonteno Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family, David Brisbin Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Del Armstrong Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Anel Lopez Gorham Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Family. In 2001, she became a presenter of the BBC Wales arts programme Double Yellow, alongside poet Owen Sheers and performance artist Mark Rees. Ive loved that one month its Sahara in Morocco and the next Im doing a stage play, then its a six-part telly thing. They met again two years later, during a production of Twelfth Night, and went on to become a couple. 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Also learn how She earned most of networth at the age of 52 years old? 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 . How old is Rakie Ayola? In 2001, Rakie appeared in EastEnders as teacher Miss French. Samantha Bond)", BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rakie_Ayola&oldid=1137572574, Alumni of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Best Supporting Actress BAFTA Award (television) winners, Articles with dead external links from February 2019, Articles with dead external links from April 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from July 2022, Articles with dead external links from October 2017, Articles with dead external links from October 2010, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Episode "That Old Black Magic" parts 1 and 2, Episode 17.3 " The Ballad of Midsomer County", This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 09:59. Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions. I made the decision purely because I was pregnant, but I wasnt really ready to put down the character of Kyla. In her latest role, Ayola plays DS Holland, the senior detective investigating the death of Jack Holland. [] It left everyone very, very miserable, and very dispirited, and it made me angry. "[14] Ayola recalls having been daunted at the prospect of working alongside so many established names, but has said it was a "wonderful experience". After graduating, Ayola starred in Soldier, Soldier, Maisie Raine, and Eastenders. "[44] She placed 40th in 2008, with the Western Mail noting: "the last 15 years have only seen Rakie become more beautiful and more successful". She was cared for by her birth mothers cousin from Sierra Leone and his Welsh wife. She won a BAFTA for her performance as bereaved mum Gee Walker in BBC1s drama Anthony. [6] She left high school before sitting her A Levels in order to pursue her ambition of becoming an actress. 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. The Pact series 2: Start date, whos in it and how many episodes are there? Ayola describes herself as "optimistic, cynical, lazy, naive [and] honest". View DS Holland. Rakie Olufunmilayo AyolaListen (born May 1968) is a Welsh actress known for her work in theatre and television. 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. Adam Smethurst, with whom she has two daughters. Christine is the matriarch of the Rees family. While her character is good at her job, shes not the stereotypical police officer. [] 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. [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. Ayola attributes her ability to carry these roles with such emotional high stakes, whether fictional or biographical, to the dramatic vein she found at drama school: I dont know why, I seem to be able to breathe life into these women whove got this tragic story, all this grief and loss. She also refers to the death of her adoptive mother, Olive, when she was 14, as a moment that has perhaps allowed her to access those depths of grief. 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