Meryl Fernandes

Meryl Fernandes
Born 1983 (age 28–29)
Tower Hamlets, London
Nationality British and Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 1993–present
Notable works See below
Television EastEnders
Parents Harold Fernandes (father)
Ghislaine Fernandes (mother)

Meryl Glynis Fernandes (born 1983)[1] is an English actress. Her best known role is playing Afia Khan, a love interest for Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel) in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, originally making a guest appearance between the 29 December 2009[2] and 5 January 2010.[3] She returned to the role of Afia, on the 18 November 2010, this time as a regular character, quickly rekindling her relationship with Tamwar.[4]

Contents

Personal life

Born in 1983 to Harold and Ghislaine Fernandes, Meryl was brought up in London.[5] Her parents were originally from Nairobi.[5] Fernandes trained at Millennium Performing Arts in 2000. She is skilled in several types of dance.[6]

Career

Other than appearing in EastEnders, Fernandes has appeared Doctor Who, Demons, Minder alongside fellow EastEnders actor, Shane Richie,[7] It's Now or Never, Clone and Dis/Connected.[6] She has also appeared in the highly criticized Youtube series, Living With the Infidels playing 'Jot'.[6] Aasaf Ainapore, the director, issued a statement on the series following the complaints saying,

"I am acutely aware that anyone affected by the events of 7/7 would be anxious about the series," he says, "but I truly believe that it is only by ridiculing these extremists that you can hope to persuade young Muslims to turn against radicalism."[8]

In Stage she has appeared in The Lion of Punjab directed by Darren Mc'illroy at the Waterman Studios in 2006.[6] She has appeared in A Small Town Anywhere directed by Tassos Stevens at the National Theatre Studio in 2007.[6] In Musicals she has appeared in Oliver! as a 'Workhouse Girl', in 1996.[6] She has sung opera, appearing in Il mondo della luna at the Royal Academy of Music in 2003.[6] She has also appeared in a film, Ashes where she appeared as the lead role, 'Amisha' in 2010, it was directed by Sonia Castang.[6]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes Refs
1993 EastEnders Schoolgirl 1 Episode [6]
1995 A Small Addition Schoolgirl 1 Episode [6]
2006 It's Now or Never Flower Girl 1 Episode [6]
2007 Dis/Connected Sara 1 Episode [6]
Doctor Who Head Girl 1 Episode [6]
2008 Demons Amber Selway 1 Episode [6]
Clone Jasmine 1 Episode [6]
Minder Roxy 1 Episode [6]
2009–Present EastEnders Afia Khan Series Regular [6]
Film/Internet
Year Title Role Notes Refs
2009 Living with the Infidels Jot Lead Role [6]
2010 Ashes Amisha Lead Role [6]
Stage/Theatre/Opera
Year Title Role Note Refs
1996 Oliver! Workhouse Girl Musical [6]
2003 Sleeping Beauty Sleeping Beauty Stage [6]
Il Mondo Della Luna Moon Dancer Opera [6]
2005 The Far Pavilions Anjuli Musical [6]
2006 The Lion of Punjab Jindan Stage [6]
2007 Who Asked You? Deborah Smith Stage [6]
A Small Town Anywhere The Samaritan Stage [6]
A Matter of Life and Death Clerk/Nurse Stage [6]
The Man Of Mode Harriet Stage [6]

References

  1. ^ "Search results". Find My Past. http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/england-and-wales/results?recordType=GRO&route=X&event=B&fromYear=1837&toYear=2006&forenames=Meryl&surname=Fernandes&includeSurnameVariants=false&includeForenamesVariants=false. Retrieved 11 June 2011. 
  2. ^ Green, Kris (29 December 2009). "Amira's father Qadim arrives in Walford". Digital Spy (London: Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/spoilers/a190009/amiras-father-qadim-arrives-in-walford.html. Retrieved 11 June 2011. 
  3. ^ Green, Kris (5 January 2010). "Lauren's furious to see Peter kissing Zsa Zsa". Digital Spy (London: Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/spoilers/a191343/laurens-furious-to-see-peter-kissing-zsa-zsa.html. Retrieved 11 June 2011. 
  4. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (18 November 2010). "Billy discovers Shirley's secret". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/spoilers/a286461/billy-discovers-shirleys-secret.html. Retrieved 11 June 2011. 
  5. ^ a b "The Goan Voice". The Goan Voice. London. 11 April 2011. http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/printerfile.php?link=2011-04-18. Retrieved 11 June 2011. 
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "MERYL FERNANDES Spotlight Actresses 2010/2011". Spotlight. London. 2010/2011. http://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/5218-9088-4597. Retrieved 11 June 2011. 
  7. ^ "Afia Khan played by Meryl Fernandes". EastEnders. BBC Online. February 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/characters/afia-khan.shtml. Retrieved 11 June 2011. 
  8. ^ Manzoor, Sarfraz (20 August 2009). "Living with the Infidels: Can a sitcom about terrorists ever be funny?". The Guardian (London: Guardian News and Media). http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/20/living-with-the-infidels-youtube. Retrieved 11 June 2011. 

External links