Ayesha Antoine
| Ayesha Antoine | |
|---|---|
| Born |
8 May 1981 Essex, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1995–present |
Ayesha Antoine (born 8 May 1981)[1] is an English actress. She is known for portraying Rachel Baptiste in Holby City, and Poppy Silver in Grange Hill.
Background
Antoine was born in Essex, England. She is of British, Dominican, and Welsh descent.[2] In 1998 Antoine studied Psychology and English at the University of Manchester.[3] After graduating, she returned to London to restart her career.
She said:
- "It’s good to have another trick up your sleeve. I have always been interested in psychology, and I’d love to be able to do something with child psychology. Maybe do both acting and psychology, who knows?"[3]
A hyperactive child (learning the violin and piano as well as attending acting and dance classes), at the age of eight she entered a National Talent Contest which was televised on the Saturday morning BBC children's show, Going Live!. Dancing, singing and rapping to Salt'n'Pepa's 'Express Yourself' was Antoine's first television appearance.
Career
Television
Antoine began her television career in the 1990s playing Poppy Silver in Grange Hill. At this time she also made her first appearance in Holby City. Other television credits include the role of Kelly Grogan in sitcom pilot Placebo and a husband-beating shoplifter in The Bill.
In 2007 Antoine guest starred as Dee Dee Blasco in the Doctor Who episode "Midnight", an experience she described as: "so much fun…it’s a brilliant show and I loved every minute."[4] She joined the regular cast of Holby City in 2008, playing Staff Nurse Rachel Baptiste.[4]
In 2009 Antoine appeared in BAFTA winner Paul Whitehouse's new series Down The Line, and in the newly commissioned series of Mouth to Mouth, a multi-media comedy drama for BBC Three.
Radio
In 2005 Antoine won the Norman Beaton Fellowship.[5] She was a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company for six months and lent her voice to over twenty five radio dramas including The Lysistrata Project, Hold My Breath, Westway, No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, The Fountain Overflows and Father & Son.
Other
In 2011 she joined the cast of Big Finish Productions' Bernice Summerfield audio plays as Ruth.[6]
In 2013 she was the featured presenter for Dr. Forever!, a five-part documentary series featured in the Classic Doctor Who DVD range.[7]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Grange Hill | Poppy Silver (1995–1998) | TV series |
| 1996 | Gadgetman | Frankie Scouler | Television film |
| 2004 | Holby City | Mel Allen - One Is the Loneliest Number (2004) | Medical drama |
| 2005 | The Bill | Trixie Burroughs - Episode 340 (2005) | Police drama |
| 2008 | Placebo | Nurse Kelly Grogan[8] | Sitcom pilot |
| Doctor Who | Dee Dee Blasco - Midnight (2008) | TV series | |
| Mouth to Mouth | Devine Bello (2008–2009) | TV series | |
| Parents of the Band | Camilla - Episode 1.3 (2008) - Episode 1.4 (2008) | TV series | |
| Holby City | Rachel Baptiste (2008–2009) | Medical drama |
Theatre
- The Firework Maker’s Daughter, Theatre Royal, Newcastle, February 2005 (playing Lila) [3]
- Big White Fog, Almeida Theatre, May 2007 to June 2007 (playing Caroline Mason)[9]
- Familyman, Theatre Royal Stratford East, May 2008 (playing Keisha)[9]
- MADBLUD, Theatre Royal Stratford East, February 2009
- My Wonderful Day, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, October 2009 (playing Winnie)
- Cinderella, Theatre Royal Stratford East, December 2011 to January 2012
- Red Velvet, Garrick theatre London, 23 January 2016 to 27 February 2016
References
- ↑ IMDB Page – Biography
- ↑ 5 minutes with… Ayesha Antoine Tiscali.co.uk.
- 1 2 3 Barr, Gordon (21 January 2005). "Grange Hill actress graduates to magical family theatre". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
- 1 2 "Ayesha on Holby City role". Metro. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
- ↑ BBC – SoundStart – Norman Beaton Fellowship Winners 2005
- ↑ "01. Epoch - Bernice Summerfield Box Sets - Big Finish". Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- ↑ "Classic Doctor Who: The Aztecs / Special Edition DVD Review". Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ↑ Placebo – Production Details & Cast and Crew – British Comedy Guide
- 1 2 Ayesha Antoine | London Theatre Database