Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to Rakie Ayola lately, you’re missing out on one of the most consistent powerhouses in British acting. For years, she was that face you definitely recognized—maybe from a high-stakes episode of Doctor Who or a long stint in the Holby City wards—but recently, something shifted. She went from being a "reliable" character actor to a bona fide award-winning lead who commands every single frame she's in.
It’s about time.
Whether she's playing a grieving mother or a goddess in a Netflix epic, Ayola brings this specific, grounded energy that makes everything feel real. You’ve probably seen her pop up in your recommendations recently, especially with the 2024 buzz around KAOS. But to really get why she’s a big deal, you have to look at the sheer range of Rakie Ayola movies and tv shows that built this career. It wasn't an overnight success; it was a decades-long masterclass.
The Roles That Defined Her Early Career
Before she was winning BAFTAs, Rakie was a staple of UK television. Many people first met her back in 1993 in Soldier Soldier, where she played Bernie Roberts. It was a solid start. From there, she jumped into the soap world with Tiger Bay and even popped up in the Gone with the Wind sequel, Scarlett.
But let’s talk about Holby City.
From 2006 to 2008, she played Kyla Tyson. For a lot of viewers, Kyla was the heart of that show. Playing a nurse on a long-running medical drama can sometimes feel like "actor homework," but Ayola found the soul in it. She navigated the heavy storylines—alcoholism, domestic abuse—with a grit that made people stop and look. It’s the kind of work that prepares an actor for the big leagues.
📖 Related: Big Brother 27 Morgan: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
That One Doctor Who Episode
If you’re a sci-fi fan, you know "Midnight." It is arguably one of the best episodes of the Tenth Doctor's era. Rakie played the Hostess. She didn't have a name, but she had a presence. In a story that is basically a claustrophobic psychological horror, her performance helped sell the rising panic of a group of strangers trapped in a shuttle. It's a tiny role in the grand scheme of things, but it’s one fans still talk about because of how she handled that ending.
The BAFTA Turn and Critical Acclaim
The real "holy crap" moment for most critics happened in 2020 with the BBC drama Anthony. This wasn't just another TV movie. It was a "what if" story about Anthony Walker, a Black teenager murdered in a racist attack in 2005. Rakie played his mother, Gee Walker.
She was incredible.
There is a specific kind of quiet strength she portrayed—not the loud, cinematic grief we usually see, but something deeper and more exhausted. She won the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for it in 2021. I remember her saying in an interview how she’d dreamed of that moment since she was eight years old. Seeing her hold that "solid brass version of a dream" felt like a win for every actor who has put in the work for years without the spotlight.
The Pact: A Masterclass in Tension
Then came The Pact. If you haven't binged this on BBC iPlayer yet, you're missing out on some of the best Welsh noir out there. In Season 2, she played Christine Rees. Not only was she the lead, but she was also an Executive Producer. This was a different Rakie Ayola—sharp, complicated, and perhaps a little bit dangerous.
👉 See also: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
It worked. She scooped up the BAFTA Cymru for Best Actress in 2023 for that role. It proved she could carry a show as the central pillar, not just the supporting strength.
Rakie Ayola Movies and TV Shows: The Recent Hits
Right now, you’re probably seeing her as Persephone in the Netflix series KAOS. Starring alongside Jeff Goldblum’s Zeus is no small feat, but she holds her own as the Queen of the Underworld. It’s a darkly comic, modern take on Greek mythology, and Ayola brings a weary, "seen-it-all" vibe to Persephone that feels perfectly 2026.
But she isn't just sticking to the small screen.
Look out for her in the film Bad Apples alongside Saoirse Ronan. It’s a thriller that’s been generating a lot of buzz in the industry circles. She also had a memorable turn as the Chief Judge in the 2012 cult classic Dredd. Yes, she can do gritty sci-fi just as well as she does Shakespeare.
A Quick Look at Her Most Notable Work:
- Anthony (2020): Her BAFTA-winning turn as Gee Walker.
- KAOS (2024): Playing Persephone in the Netflix hit.
- The Pact (2021-2022): Showing her range as DS Holland and Christine Rees.
- Noughts + Crosses (2020): Playing Prime Minister Opal Folami.
- Doctor Who (2008): The iconic "Midnight" episode.
- Grace (2021-Present): As ACC Vosper.
- Shetland (2019): A heavy role in the fifth series.
Why She Matters in 2026
Ayola isn't just acting; she’s building a legacy. She founded Shanty Productions with her husband, Adam Smethurst, because she wanted to see more representation on screen. She’s been vocal about the "invisible" work of actors—the years spent in the trenches of soaps and guest spots before the industry finally decides you're a "discovery."
✨ Don't miss: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
She’s also moved into the world of opera.
In late 2025, she joined the Welsh National Opera for their production of Candide. It shows a restlessness in her talent. She isn't content just being "the detective" or "the mother." She wants to narrate, to produce, and to challenge what a Welsh actress is "supposed" to do.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a misconception that her career "started" with the BAFTA. It didn't.
If you look back at her theater work—playing Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End—you see an actress who has always been top-tier. She was doing Shakespeare at the Globe (playing the lead in Dido, Queen of Carthage) back when many of today's "stars" were still in school. The industry finally caught up to her, not the other way around.
Where to Watch Her Next
If you want to catch up, start with The Pact or Anthony. They show two completely different sides of her. If you want something lighter but still high-quality, her appearances in Grace or No Offence are perfect weekend watches.
Moving forward, keep an eye on Bad Apples. It’s likely to be her biggest film role in years. She's also slated for a New York transfer of Hamlet with the National Theatre later in 2026, so the stage is still very much her home.
Actionable Insight:
If you are a fan of British drama, make a "Rakie Ayola Watchlist" starting with Anthony and The Pact (Season 2). Watching these back-to-back is the quickest way to understand the technical depth she brings to her roles. Pay attention to how she uses silence; she’s one of the few actors who can tell an entire story just by the way she listens to another character.