[] They are not being sold as a reason to watch. 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. 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! . 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. Menu. "[7] She then went on to attend the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, studying for a three-year acting diploma. ", "Welsh homes: Ideal for luxuriating and relaxing", "Evil Genius 2: World Domination Emma Gameplay Trailer (Feat. How old is Rakie Ayola? I made the decision purely because I was pregnant, but I wasn't really ready to put down the character of Kyla. The Pact premiered on May 17 on BBC One at 9 p.m. You can watch it on catchup on BBC iPlayer. She appeared as Kyla Tyson in the BBC medical drama Holby City from its eighth to eleventh series. [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. 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. In 2017, Rakie took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. 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. Their second daughter, Shani, was born in January 2009. She had previously appeared in Holby Citys sister show Casualty, and had made an appearance in Holby Citys 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. 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. The Pact actress Rakie Ayola has opened up about the possibility of a second season. That was when, as confirmed by the BBC listings archive, Hello Dolly!, starring Barbra Streisand, was first broadcast in the UK, watched by a viewing audience that included an eight-year-old Ayola. They have virtual sleepovers where everyone gets a party pack and does facials, foot spas and all sorts, she said. In 2001, she became a presenter of the BBC Wales arts programme Double Yellow, alongside poet Owen Sheers and performance artist Mark Rees. Who plays Assistant Chief Constable Alison Vosper in ITV1s Grace? I just want fairness. So, how much is Rakie Ayola worth at the age of 53 years old? [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. 173.236.136.90 We had fantastic editors, sound people, camera people, and the directors were all amazing. She first rose to prominence in the lead role of the 1993 Jeanette Winterson screenplay Great Moments in Aviation. I learned later that he really didnt want me to get the job. 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. Ayola has an interest in travel, and has visited Peru and Kenya among other destinations. While her character is good at her job, shes not the stereotypical police officer. She spends her free time watching television, the theatre, cinema, concerts, indoor wall climbing [and] keeping fit [with] yoga [and] aerobics. 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. [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 went on to play troubled nurse Kyla Tyson in Holby City from 2006-8, who endured domestic violence and alcoholism. She has expressed a desire to visit Brazil and Argentina, and has a romantic notion of travelling around Europe in a camper van. [41] She received Honourable Mention for the same role the following year,[42] and was shortlisted again in 2008. 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 prolific television role was in the ITV drama Soldier Soldier, in which she starred throughout its third series in 1993 as soldiers wife Bernie Roberts. 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]. During a 1998 production of Hamlet, Ayola met her future husband, fellow actor Adam Smethurst son of Love Thy Neighbour star Jack Smethurst. [11] She states of this: "Shakespeare keeps coming my way. She has also worked in theatre, film and television, appearing in a number of Shakespearean theatrical performances. Trending: 17,487th This Week. 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. Tansy has undergone extensive surgeries to treat neurofibramatosis type 1 (NF1) and Rakie is Patron of The Childhood Tumour trust. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? Holby star Rakie Ayola. 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This brand new story makes way for new characters with the cast, including Cardiff-born, Bafta-winning actress Rakie Ayola (Anthony), who takes centre stage alongside serving as executive producer. [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. Rakie Ayola is an actress appearing in the BCC's TV Program, The Pact. In 2001, Rakie appeared in EastEnders as teacher Miss French. 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. She stated: The script made me laugh out loud when I read it. Kyla Tyson is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Rakie Ayola. She is a member of famous Actress with the age 53 years old group. They met when acting together on stage in Hamlet. [] It left everyone very, very miserable, and very dispirited, and it made me angry. But it was 2021 which really propelled Rakie to fame. Can you list the top facts and stats about Rakie Ayola? Ayola was born in Cardiff in May 1968 to a Sierra Leonean mother and a Nigerian father. In 2001, Ayola founded a production company and directed a short film entitled Persephones Playground. Having formed a support group of Black female actors over the years, she now feels able to imagine more. 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. 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. Indeed she is! Dark family secrets, a mysterious death, and friends sworn to silence, new BBC thriller The Pact has all this and more. With her Bafta for best supporting actress for BBC Ones Anthony. 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. "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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Rakie Ayolas income source is mostly from being a successful Actress. Rakie Ayola (Rakie Olufunmilayo Ayoola) was born on 1968-05- in Cardiff, is an Actress. I decided at 16 I wanted to make my living acting, but even if I couldn't, Id be in an amateur theatre company. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Rakie Olufunmilayo AyolaListen (born May 1968) is a Welsh actress known for her work in theatre and television. Also learn how She earned most of networth at the age of 52 years old? [33] She was made a Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2003. Were not going to tiptoe around Marthas disability or anything. I liked that. The Pact series 2 episode 5 review - five things we want to know [Spoilers] The Pact series 2 episode 4 review: five . Rakie Ayola talks about attending her first BAFTA Awards and what it was like playing Gee Walker in Anthony. "EastEnders" Episode dated 2 August 2001 (TV Episode 2001) Rakie Ayola as Ms. French. Then The Pact was recommissioned (for another series) so I thought I wouldnt hear from him for a year! 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. She left high school before sitting her A Levels in order to pursue her ambition of becoming an actress. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. She explains: Ive always wanted to act. Season 1 aired in 2020 and was met with rave reviews. "[39] In 2008, Ayola offered her support to the Action for Southern Africa campaign Dignity! 22 48 1,389 Show this thread Rakie Ayola Still Menopausal @RakieAyola I just want fairness". Yes, eagle-eyed viewers, Rakie Ayola was also in The Pact series 1 playing a different character! 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. [27], From 7 February 2006 to 9 December 2008, Ayola starred in BBC medical drama Holby City as nurse Kyla Tyson. 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. 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. Read on to find out why and to learn about her two characters past and present in The Pact. Summarize this article for a 10 years old. I'm very sorry to have to let her go. Watching Barbra Streisand in Hello, Dolly on TV as a child made Rakie want to take up acting. HEIGHT : 5ft 5. DATE OF BIRTH : 1968. For a full list of present characters, see list of characters from EastEnders. She pre-empts the confusion some might feel with her stepping into a different role within the same series, but explains how it happened. In an interview with the publication she explained the kinds of events the charity puts on for children. The project, however, was largely unsuccessful, with Ayola stating: it just made me decide that if theres anything I dont want to do, its produce films, because Im rubbish at it. It wasnt some sort of reverential hands-off approach to what were presenting. She has also been cast in the film Dredd. Christine is the matriarch of the Rees family. 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. 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. 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. Download 'Don't Speak' on iTunes. Rakie Ayola was born on 11 May 1968 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. 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's response to the 'some . Between 2003 and 2008 she starred in Holby City and played Olivia Lennox in season five of Shetland. Rakie Ayola's character Christine lives in a house at Llantwit Major on the Bristol Channel coast.. Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix. If Im going to be a working mum Id rather just be one rather than be one intermittently. Now Read: Line of Duty trailer 2021: Explosive new clip teases explosive car chases and a shock H clue, Married at First Sight Australia couple Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli welcome, EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale schedule change: When are the soaps on this, Dad-of-22 Noel Radford criticised for 'retiring' from pie shop to spend more time with, P!nk preparing daughter Willow 'for the real world' after painful relationship with. I made the decision purely because I was pregnant, but I wasn't really ready to put down the character of Kyla. If I'm going to be a working mum I'd rather just be one rather than be one intermittently. It wasn't some sort of reverential hands-off approach to what we're presenting. [32] She said of the show: In October 2008, Ayola announced that she would be departing from Holby City in order to have a second child, stating: "I've had a great time and I'll miss it. In the same year, she also starred as Prime Minister Opal Folami in BBC drama Noughts and Crosses. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. "[36] She believes that her career would have taken her in a different direction were she not Black, 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 it's still very low and expectations are still very low". She has loved Streisand ever since, even writing to Jimll Fix It asking Jimmy Savile to arrange a meeting. HUSBAND : Actor, Adam Smethhurst. Ayola placed 17th in the awards in 2009. 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 first rose to prominence in the lead role of the 1993 Jeanette Winterson screenplay Great Moments in Aviation. [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. 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! Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. All those professionals whose work has just been thrown out - I hate that. She could potentially return to the seaside town, so its not clear yet if Rakie Ayola will appear in the next series of Grace. She has three grown-up children: Will (Lloyd Everitt); Jamie (Aaron Anthony); Megan (Mali Ann Rees). Bill Alexander was director. If you havent been nominated for a Bafta before 52 youre not meant to be nominated and take the Bafta home. To her, they were her parents, despite no paperwork to say why I was in their care. The Pact series 2: Start date, whos in it and how many episodes are there? This March, ITV is giving us another crime drama to get our teeth into. Ayola was born in London but raised by her mothers cousin in Wales. Variety magazines David Rooney said of her performance: In the films most naturalistic turn, Ayola is a constant pleasure to watch. Rakie is a Trustee of ACT, the Actors' Children's Trust, and an Ambassador of PIPA, Parents in Performing Arts. 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. And then Holby came along, so I'm very grateful".[9]. Contents: 2020s: 2023 2022 2021 2020 2010s: 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 CHILDREN : Two daughters, Tansy (b.2004) and Shani (b.2009) FAMILY : Her mother, from Sierra Leone, was the second wife of a wealthy Nigerian. Rakie Ayola in The Pact series 2 was in series 1 as different character! The Pact series 2 ending explained after that almighty twist! Rakie, who is 54, grew up on a council estate in Cardiff. In 2021, she won a BAFTA for her role in the BBC One drama Anthony.[2]. [] Also, I have to say that Double Yellow was nominated for a Bafta Cymru award. Discover Rakie Ayolas Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Normally when youre nominated at 52, you were nominated also at 22 and 32. No Doubt 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. Are you watching The Pact series 2? She remembers Harvey Weinstein staring at her on set, though not lasciviously. [11] In 1991 she played Hazel in John Godber's Up 'n' Under at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. Describing her motivation, she states: I am not an overtly political person. Click to reveal Im not sure why because its so gorgeous.) This is Ayolas second outing in the series, having played an entirely different character, a detective investigating the death of a brewery manager, in the first season. TV Shows. 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. [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. "[34], Throughout her career, Ayola has been outspoken on the subject of racial discrimination in the entertainment industry. [6] She left high school before sitting her A Levels in order to pursue her ambition of becoming an actress. Ayola was born in Cardiff, Wales in May 1968, to a Sierra Leonean mother and a Nigerian father. Rakie Ayola is a voice actor known for voicing Zalika. She is working and taking care of the others.. Rakie explains: The writer, Pete McTighe, and I were in the early stages of another project. 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. 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. 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. I was very proud of it. They have two daughters, Tansy and Shani, born in 2004 and 2009. Movies. [38] In 2001, Ayola founded a production company and directed a short film entitled Persephone's Playground. Sharp-eyed viewers will remember that Rakie also appeared in The Pact season 1. When shes not acting Ayola spends a lot of time advocating for the Childhood Tumour Trust (CTT). EastEnders (TV Series 1985-2022) - Rakie Ayola as Ms. French. [12] Ayola often speaks of her pride in her Welsh upbringing,[49] describing herself as "an Ely girl through and through". So, who is Rakie Ayola and what might you have seen her in? Just three weeks after giving birth to Rakie she left her in the care of her cousin in Cardiff and his wife. She went on to appear in Gone With the Wind sequel Scarlett, and star in Welsh soap opera Tiger Bay. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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. But who is Rakie and who did she play in Holby City? She is getting on with life the way people do. It would be nice just to stay put for a while. Rakie quit Holby when she was pregnant with her second daughter. She is married to fellow actor Adam Smethurst, with whom she has two daughters. Period, aiming to provide affordable sanitary protection to Zimbabwean women.[40]. Thanks 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. The Bafta-winning actor is returning to The Pact as a different character. 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. Rakie says of her character: When we meet her thats the weight shes carrying the weight of having lost a child. 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. For a full list of present characters, see list of characters from EastEnders. 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. 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 then he came back with The Pact series two and said we want you to play the lead and have an exec producer role. But last summer I started thinking it would be really nice not to have to look for a job every couple of weeks. Describing her motivation, she states: "I am not an overtly political person. Ayola's heritage means she is Yoruba by descent, although she does not speak the language. You suddenly realise youre doing exactly the thing they asked of you even though you didnt plan to. [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]. [7] Variety's David Rooney said of her performance: "In the film's most naturalistic turn, Ayola is a constant pleasure to watch. She first rose to prominence in the lead role of the 1993 Jeanette Winterson screenplay Great Moments in Aviation. 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. In July last year, Ayola played Gee Walker in BBC Ones TV movie Anthony. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. I'm very sorry to have to let her go.". The pair married in May 2004, and Ayola gave birth to their first daughter, Tansy, in July that year. [7] She explains: "I've always wanted to act. In an interview with the publication she said, My drama teacher took me to youth theatre. This is a list of characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, ordered by the year in which they made their final appearance. [45] Ayola placed 17th in the awards in 2009. 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. [8] Ayola has stated that it was Barbra Streisand's performance in Hello, Dolly! That was when, as confirmed by the BBC listings. We have estimated Rakie Ayolas net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. [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. In 2017, Ayola took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Adam Smethurst, with whom she has two daughters. 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. that inspired her to act as a child, though credits her adoptive mother with encouraging her to act professionally. I love the fact that I get to play people who are much more articulate than Ill ever be. But because youre the dark-skinned woman, theres no actual picture of you. [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. 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. 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. 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. Will, Jamie and Megan dont understand why their mum never talks about her past. Ayola has performed in Twelfth Night in the lead roles of both Olivia and Viola. [3] She was raised by her mother's cousin and his wife in Ely, Cardiff. [21] In 2008, she starred in the Doctor Who episode "Midnight", playing an intergalactic Hostess alongside David Tennant's Tenth Doctor. Born in Wales of Nigerian descent, actress Rakie Ayola is a familiar presence on British television. This time she is taking the lead role of Christine, a social worker who has recently lost a child. Christines an experienced social worker who is devoted to her family.