Born in Wales of Nigerian descent, actress Rakie Ayola is a familiar presence on British television. This dramatic vein pulses in her role in the upcoming second series of The Pact. [8] She went on to appear in Gone With the Wind sequel Scarlett,[7] and star in Welsh soap opera Tiger Bay. The Pact airs later this month on BBC One. Heres what we know. I'm very sorry to have to let her go. It's an unusual move, but, she says, having connected with a group of performers of colour who have her back, she's learned to dream bigger. Can you list the top facts and stats about Rakie Ayola? She could potentially return to the seaside town, so its not clear yet if Rakie Ayola will appear in the next series of Grace. Period, aiming to provide affordable sanitary protection to Zimbabwean women. [21] She has a collection of Troll dolls which she keeps under her bath. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The star played Kyla from February 2006 to December 2008 and has also starred in sister show Casualty. Rakie Ayola, a Welsh actress best known for her roles in Grace, Black Mirror, Noughts + Crosses and Doctor Who. Discover Rakie Ayolas Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Ayola often speaks of her pride in her Welsh upbringing, describing herself as an Ely girl through and through. She previously explained: I made the decision purely because I was pregnant, but I wasnt really ready to put down the character of Kyla. Click to reveal 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 . From 7 February 2006 to 9 December 2008, Ayola starred in BBC medical drama Holby City as nurse Kyla Tyson. BBC / Little Door (The Pact) / Warren Orchard, was diagnosed with incurable neurofibromatosis type one. Helen and Christine have nothing in common, but what the two series have in common is a pact at the heart of them., Ayola is tight-lipped on the plot of the second series, not even revealing the manner of Christines sons death. With her Bafta for best supporting actress for BBC Ones Anthony. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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. [38] In 2001, Ayola founded a production company and directed a short film entitled Persephone's Playground. 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. 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. that inspired her to act as a child,[5] though credits her adoptive mother with encouraging her to act professionally. In 2009, Ayola starred in the CBBC musical comedy My Almost Famous Family. that inspired her to act as a child, though credits her adoptive mother with encouraging her to act professionally. But last summer I started thinking it would be really nice not to have to look for a job every couple of weeks. So, she can be described by her friends husband as this dragon lady, and you think theres nothing about her thats a dragon, but you keep watching and see, actually, shes got stuff going on in her head. 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. 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) "[34], Throughout her career, Ayola has been outspoken on the subject of racial discrimination in the entertainment industry. 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. Ayola has stated that it was Barbra Streisands performance in Hello, Dolly! Rakie says of her character: When we meet her thats the weight shes carrying the weight of having lost a child. The Pact series 2 episode 5 review - five things we want to know [Spoilers] The Pact series 2 episode 4 review: five . 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. I decided at 16 I wanted to make my living acting, but even if I couldn't, Id be in an amateur theatre company. [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. Unforced and appealing, she often succeeds in pulling the fanciful fireworks momentarily back down to Earth. Ayola recalls having been daunted at the prospect of working alongside so many established names, but has said it was a wonderful experience. And then Holby came along, so I'm very grateful".[9]. I really got on with the writer of The Pact, Pete McTighe: wed been doing video calls, talking about working together. 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. So, instead of bowing to this altar, theyve said, Okay, we have this family thats half-black, half-white, half-American, half-British. "EastEnders" Episode dated 2 August 2001 (TV Episode 2001) Rakie Ayola as Ms. French. If I'm going to be a working mum I'd rather just be one rather than be one intermittently. In her latest role, Ayola plays DS Holland, the senior detective investigating the death of Jack Holland. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. In 2004, Rakie married fellow actor Adam Smethurst who has starred in TV dramas including Casualty and Marple and Lewis. The Pact series 2 ending explained after that almighty twist! 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. It would be nice just to stay put for a while. We're not going to tiptoe around Martha's disability or anything.' In an interview with the publication she said, My drama teacher took me to youth theatre. In October 2008, Ayola announced that she would be departing from Holby City in order to have a second child, stating: Ive had a great time and Ill miss it. Grace is based on Peter James first two books, Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead and follows Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. 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. . She has a collection of Troll dolls which she keeps under her bath. Describing her motivation, she states: I am not an overtly political person. The Pact actress Rakie Ayola has opened up about the possibility of a second season. Rakie has had roles in Shetland, Silent Witness, Midsomer Murders and No Offence, as well as Hollywood films The i Inside and Sahara. [47] Ayola has an interest in travel, and has visited Peru and Kenya among other destinations. She appeared as Kyla Tyson in the BBC medical drama Holby City from its eighth to eleventh series. I made the decision purely because I was pregnant, but I wasn't really ready to put down the character of Kyla. She states of this: Shakespeare keeps coming my way. HUSBAND : Actor, Adam Smethhurst. That introduced me to the very vibrant amateur scene in Cardiff; I auditioned for anything I was eligible for.. Welsh actress Rakie Ayola is to leave Holby City at the end of the year, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal. It's an unusual move, but, she says, having connected with a group of performers of colour who have her back, she's learned. That was when, as confirmed by the BBC listings. She has expressed a desire to visit Brazil and Argentina, and has a romantic notion of travelling around Europe in a camper van. Are you watching The Pact series 2? The Pact series 2: Whos in the cast of the returning drama opposite Rakie Ayola? I just want fairness". It was something innovative from BBC Wales for a change. Contents: 2020s: 2023 2022 2021 2020 2010s: 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 She first rose to prominence in the lead role of the 1993 Jeanette Winterson screenplay Great Moments in Aviation. The charity works to connect children and families living with neurofibromatosis type one. [] Also, I have to say that Double Yellow was nominated for a Bafta Cymru award. 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. She found Christine to be a complicated character who subverts representations of harsh matriarchal figures, praising McTighes restrained writing, Shes manipulative and controlling, but its so quiet. I love the fact that I get to play people who are much more articulate than Ill ever be. 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). 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. [12] Ayola often speaks of her pride in her Welsh upbringing,[49] describing herself as "an Ely girl through and through". "Rakie Ayola's response to the 'some . Christine's an experienced social worker who is devoted. It was at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama that Ayola would find what she calls her dramatic bone. Rakie Ayola Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Family. Ayola placed 17th in the awards in 2009. 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. She remembers Harvey Weinstein staring at her on set, though not lasciviously. Rakie Ayola in The Pact series 2 was in series 1 as different character! This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. This is a list of characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, ordered by the year in which they made their final appearance. 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. HEIGHT : 5ft 5. 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. 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. Rakie Ayola's character Christine lives in a house at Llantwit Major on the Bristol Channel coast.. Throughout her career, Ayola has been outspoken on the subject of racial discrimination in the entertainment industry. Whats happened to us all, professionally and creatively, since, is not at all what was meant to happen, she says. For a full list of present characters, see list of characters from EastEnders. She was cared for by her birth mothers cousin from Sierra Leone and his Welsh wife. Rakie Ayola talks about attending her first BAFTA Awards and what it was like playing Gee Walker in Anthony. She has loved Streisand ever since, even writing to Jimll Fix It asking Jimmy Savile to arrange a meeting. The show's writer Pete has spoken about the importance of the location. View DS Holland. 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. Rakie Ayola is a voice actor known for voicing Zalika. She was raised by her mothers cousin and his wife in Ely, Cardiff. She told the FT that her drama teacher and head of studies at college encouraged her passion for drama and love of Shakespeare. Ayola has an interest in travel, and has visited Peru and Kenya among other destinations. [] 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. 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. 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. We need to stay relevant and creative, so lets take care of each other Rakie Ayola. 173.236.136.90 [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. She is married to Adam Smethurst. 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