BAFTA CYMRU have announced Welsh actress Rakie Ayola as the recipient of this year’s prestigious Siân Phillips Award.
One of BAFTA Cymru’s highest honours, the Siân Phillips Award is presented to a Welsh individual who has made significant contributions to film and/or television.
Ayola’s extensive acting and producing credits span an impressive spectrum of roles in film, theatre, and television over three decades and counting, working with some of the UK’s finest writers, directors, and creatives.
One of the UK’s most respected actors working today, Ayola has also been a passionate and long-standing advocate for widening the diversity and representation of talent on-and-off screen, as well as championing complex and thought-provoking stories and characters.
Recent highlights include playing DS Holland and later social worker Christine Rees in the BBC One television series The Pact for which Ayola also executive produced; portraying Gee Walker in the BBC film Anthony, for which Ayola won Best Supporting Actress at the 2021 BAFTA Television Awards; ITV television drama Grace as ACC Alison Vosper; Amazon’s spy thriller television series Alex Rider; Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning police-comedy drama No Offence in the leading role of matriarch Nora Attah; BBC One’s adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses as Prime Minister Opal Folami; and Netflix film Been So Long opposite Michaela Coel and George McKay written by Che Walker.
Ayola said: “It’s taken me a long time to respond to this news. In fact, the reality of it still hasn’t kicked in. Diolch yn fawr iawn BAFTA Cymru for choosing to make me this year’s recipient of the Sian Phillips Award.
“Legacy is vitally important to me, so I’m hugely honoured to join the list of those who’ve been recognised in the past and hope I can use this incredible platform to work with and encourage others whose names may be added in the future.”
Growing up in in Ely, Cardiff where she attended Windsor Clive Primary School and Glan Ely Comprehensive, Ayola decided aged eight that she wanted to be an actress after watching Barbra Streisand in Hello Dolly on BBC1 and has remained a Streisand fan ever since.
During Ayola’s comprehensive school years, she was a keen member of Orbit Youth Theatre, South Glamorgan Youth Theatre, South Glamorgan Youth Choir and (thanks to a grant from South Glamorgan Education Authority) the National Youth Theatre of Wales.
When offered an unconditional place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Ayola dropped out of school (months before sitting her A-levels in English, Music, and French), and with her 5 O-levels and a full grant from the LEA, began a three year Acting Diploma.
Also known for her outstanding on-stage performances, Ayola’s award-winning theatre credits also span multiple decades. She is an honorary fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where earlier this year she helped judge their new Shakespeare Prize alongside Sir Ian McKellen.
Rebecca Hardy, Interim Head of BAFTA Cymru said: “Rakie is an incredible talent who inspires, drives, and enriches the industry here in Wales and beyond.
“Dedicated to her craft, she delivers empathetic and connected performances, demonstrating not only her acting ability, but compassion and understanding of social and political issues that as viewers we can take so much from.
“As a sought-after creative force, she is also so very proud of her country, and flies the flag for Wales during every step of her journey. BAFTA Cymru is delighted to present Rakie with the Siân Phillips Award – we look forward to celebrating her varied and impressive career next month at the BAFTA Cymru Awards.”
The Siân Phillips Award will be presented to Rakie Ayola in a special presentation of her work at the BAFTA Cymru Awards on October 15.
The ceremony will take place at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) in Newport for the first time and will be available to watch live on BAFTA’s YouTube channel.
Comments Form