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. Shooting took place in the area between Cardiff and Port Talbot (Youre going west along beautiful coastline that rarely gets filmed. She explains: "The role of Viola didn't sit that well with me for some reason but Olivia makes more sense. Rakie Ayola (Rakie Olufunmilayo Ayoola) was born on 1968-05- in Cardiff, is an Actress. Ayola's heritage means she is Yoruba by descent, although she does not speak the language. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Holby star Rakie Ayola. In 2017, Ayola took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Rakie Ayola was born on 11 May 1968 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. The Pact series 2: Whos in the cast of the returning drama opposite Rakie Ayola? See also Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs She appeared in Holby City from its eighth to eleventh series, from 2006 to 2008, and in 2009 starred in the CBBC musical comedy My Almost Famous Family. 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. Ayola often speaks of her pride in her Welsh upbringing, describing herself as an Ely girl through and through. 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. 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. Rakie Ayola held a dream of winning a Bafta for 43 years and won the 2021 best supporting actress prize for her role as Gee Walker in BBC's Anthony (Picture: Backgrid) So, who is Rakie Ayola and what might you have seen her in? In 2021, she won a BAFTA for her role in the BBC One drama Anthony.[2]. The drama was based on the real-life 2005 murder of Anthony Walker in a racist attack in Liverpool. 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. 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. So it didn't find its audience, and of course you can't force people to watch it, so if it wasn't going to get a third series then fine, that happens all the time. But I had this dramatic vein, so leaned into that.. 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. 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! She has spoken critically of the way the BBC treated the soap, moving it around the schedules and declining to commission a second series. View DS Holland. She was the lead copper investigating his death. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. It would be nice just to stay put for a while. [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. 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. But because youre the dark-skinned woman, theres no actual picture of you. In October 2008, Rakie announced that she would be leaving Holby City to have her second child. Dark family secrets, a mysterious death, and friends sworn to silence, new BBC thriller The Pact has all this and more. 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. As far as I'm aware, the BBC only allowed it to be nominated for that one award, for the graphics. Rakie Ayola stars as Christine in the cast of The Pact series 2. CHILDREN : Two daughters, Tansy (b.2004) and Shani (b.2009) FAMILY : Her mother, from Sierra Leone, was the second wife of a wealthy Nigerian. Are you watching The Pact series 2? And then Holby came along, so Im very grateful. How old is Rakie Ayola? To her, they were her parents, despite no paperwork to say why I was in their care. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. [46] She told the FT that her drama teacher and head of studies at college encouraged her passion for drama and love of Shakespeare. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. That introduced me to the very vibrant amateur scene in Cardiff; I auditioned for anything I was eligible for.. I got no response, which is probably a good thing., After her secondary school drama teacher told Ayolas adoptive mother one hour a week of drama is not enough for this child, mother and daughter would drive to Orbit youth theatre in Cardiff every Saturday. "Rakie Ayola's response to the 'some . 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. The Pact series 2 episode 5 review - five things we want to know [Spoilers] The Pact series 2 episode 4 review: five . [11] She states of this: "Shakespeare keeps coming my way. It was at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama that Ayola would find what she calls her dramatic bone. And then Holby came along, so I'm very grateful".[9]. 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 was raised by her mothers cousin and his wife in Ely, Cardiff. I made the decision purely because I was pregnant, but I wasnt really ready to put down the character of Kyla. This industry has never been easy for Ayola; her transition from Cardiff to London had in some ways mired her career. I made the decision purely because I was pregnant, but I wasn't really ready to put down the character of Kyla. Unforced and appealing, she often succeeds in pulling the fanciful fireworks momentarily back down to Earth. After graduating, Ayola starred in Soldier, Soldier, Maisie Raine, and Eastenders. This is a list of characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, ordered by the year in which they made their final appearance. [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. Series 2: Meet the Characters View Series 2: Meet the Characters. But behind her smile and no-nonsense manner is a web of secrets. [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. 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. [21] In 2008, she starred in the Doctor Who episode "Midnight", playing an intergalactic Hostess alongside David Tennant's Tenth Doctor. Currently taking BBC One by storm - episodes 5 and 6 air next . 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. Ayola was born in Cardiff, Wales in May 1968, to a Sierra Leonean mother and a Nigerian father. Period, aiming to provide affordable sanitary protection to Zimbabwean women. 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. Who plays Assistant Chief Constable Alison Vosper in ITV1s Grace? Download 'Don't Speak' on iTunes. [4] Ayola's heritage means she is Yoruba by descent, although she does not speak the language. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 1968-05-. Series 3 of Grace is currently in production but at the end of the last Brighton-based series Rakie Ayolas character Alison Vosper departed for a new job in London. Ayola believes that black actors receive less recognition than their white counterparts, explaining; If you get a show with six stars and one is black you are more likely to see interviews with the five white actors. "EastEnders" Episode dated 2 August 2001 (TV Episode 2001) Rakie Ayola as Ms. French. Rakie Ayola was born on 11 May 1968 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. The actress stars in The Pact series 2 as the matriarch of the Rees family. She had previously appeared in Holby Citys sister show Casualty, and had made an appearance in Holby Citys fifth series as patient Marianne Lawson. She said at the time: "I've had a great time and I'll miss it. [45] Ayola placed 17th in the awards in 2009. 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". 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. "[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". [6], During a 1998 production of Hamlet, Ayola met her future husband, fellow actor Adam Smethurst son of Love Thy Neighbour star Jack Smethurst. That was really interesting to play.. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? 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. But the way the BBC axed it mid-series was unforgivable. 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. Ayola credits her chemistry with co-star Akim Mogaji, who played her on-screen husband Luke Roberts, for winning her her audition. Rakie Ayola's character Christine lives in a house at Llantwit Major on the Bristol Channel coast.. Ayola was nominated and shortlisted for the Female Performance in TV award in the 2006 Screen Nation Awards, for her role as Kyla Tyson in Holby City. Rakie Ayolas husband is actor Adam Smethurst, the son of Jack Smethurst. [50] Their second daughter, Shani, was born in January 2009. That was a six-week shoot and was gonna change my life, but it didnt, she explains. She is an actress and producer, known for Been So Long (2018), Twelfth Night (2018) and No Offence (2015). The synopsis reads: "Grace is fixated by the disappearance of his beloved wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts. At 53 years old, Rakie Ayola height is 1.65m . So why is she back in the new role? For a full list of present characters, see list of characters from EastEnders. [] 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. Season 1 aired in 2020 and was met with rave reviews. Ayola credits her chemistry with co-star Akim Mogaji, who played her on-screen husband Luke Roberts, for winning her her audition. Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions. [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. [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. 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. [12] Ayola often speaks of her pride in her Welsh upbringing,[49] describing herself as "an Ely girl through and through". The show's writer Pete has spoken about the importance of the location. "[7] She then went on to attend the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, studying for a three-year acting diploma. Ayola has performed in Twelfth Night in the lead roles of both Olivia and Viola. Rakie was born in May 1968, making her 52-years-old. Ayolas first job was selling jeans on Bessemer Road Market in Cardiff. Indeed she is! 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. 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. This March, ITV is giving us another crime drama to get our teeth into. It was so unexpected. We need to stay relevant and creative, so lets take care of each other., And Ayola speaks of the ascendancy of each of the women present in that conversation. [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. HUSBAND : Actor, Adam Smethhurst. that inspired her to act as a child,[5] though credits her adoptive mother with encouraging her to act professionally. [33] She was made a Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2003. 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. From 7 February 2006 to 9 December 2008, Ayola starred in BBC medical drama Holby City as nurse Kyla Tyson. Describing her motivation, she states: "I am not an overtly political person. 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. She says it occurred within two years of the events shown, so were still very raw, and that Christine is dealing with her adult children one of whom is due to be married and so theres anticipation of festivities. Christine's an experienced social worker who is devoted. She stated: "The script made me laugh out loud when I read it. Watching Barbra Streisand in Hello, Dolly on TV as a child made Rakie want to take up acting. Rakie Olufunmilayo AyolaListen (born May 1968) is a Welsh actress known for her work in theatre and television. The Pact series 2 episode 5 review five things we want to know [Spoilers], The Pact series 2 episode 4 review: five burning questions we need answered, The Pact series 2 episode 3 review: five burning questions after that wedding, The Pact star Rakie Ayola praised over reaction to loaded question on BBC Breakfast, The Pact series 2 episode 2 review: five things we need to know, The Pact series 2 episode 1 review: Five burning questions we want answering. 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. 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. We had got on very well coming out of the first series. Rakie Ayola talks about attending her first BAFTA Awards and what it was like playing Gee Walker in Anthony. Click to reveal 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. It would be nice just to stay put for a while. She stated: The script made me laugh out loud when I read it. She has expressed a desire to visit Brazil and Argentina, and has a romantic notion of travelling around Europe in a camper van. I made the decision purely because I was pregnant, but I wasn't really ready to put down the character of Kyla. If you havent been nominated for a Bafta before 52 youre not meant to be nominated and take the Bafta home. [48] She has expressed a desire to visit Brazil and Argentina, and has "a romantic notion of travelling around Europe in a camper van". She acted in William Shakespeare's play, "The Tempest," at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in Birmingham, England with Jeffery Kissoon, Richard McCabe, Ginny Holder, Daniel Isaacs, Tony Armatrading, and Geoffrey Freshwater in the cast. It's an unusual move, but, she says, having connected with a group of performers of colour who have her back, she's learned. [] 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. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. She is set to portray DS Holland, who is in charge of the investigation. [] They are not being sold as a reason to watch. 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