Laya Lewis

Laya Lewis
Born Laya Aiesha Lewis
14 May 1992
London, England, UK
Occupation Actress
Years active 2011–present
Known for Skins

Laya Lewis (born 14 May 1992 in London) is an English actress, best known for her role as Liv Malone in the fifth and sixth series of the hit British TV drama Skins.[1]

Early life

Laya Lewis was born in South London, St George's Hospital. She moved to Bristol when she was 4 years old attending Millpond Primary School in Easton. She then went on to study at Fairfield Secondary School and then 6th Form at Cotham School.[2]

Laya is currently studying Media and Cultural Studies at the University of the Arts London.

Career

While in sixth form Lewis made her television debut in the fifth series of E4's teen drama Skins, which started on 27 January 2011. She gained the role of Liv Malone through open auditions in Bristol. Members of the shows production team visited some of the local schools and she was asked to attend and audition.[3] At the age of 16 she auditioned for the second generation of Skins, however when she arrived she decided not to participate.[4]

In April 2012, Lewis starred in Emeli Sandé's music video "My Kind of Love", directed by Dawn Shadforth. It recounts the story of the ambiguous relationship of two female characters, and how the younger girl, played by Lewis, lives with cancer.[5] In 2013 she filmed The Line, a short movie written and directed by BAFTA nominated Faye Gilbert about a teenage girl and young boy running for their lives in a futuristic world.[6] Next Lewis will play the lead role of Beverly in Beverley, a short film produced by Cass Pennant telling the true story of a mixed-race girl growing up in the city of Leicester in the 1980s.[7]

Laya also provides the idents for BBC Radio 1 Breakfast show with Nick Grimshaw.

In 2014, she appeared as Potato Girl in Cuckoo.[8]

Filmography

Film and Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011–2012 Skins Liv Malone E4 TV series (18 episodes)
2013 The Line Short film
2014 Beverley Beverly Short film alongside Vicky McClure
Cuckoo Potato Girl BBC Three TV series (1 episode No.2.2 Potato Party)
Music Videos
Year Song Artist Director
2012 My Kind of Love Emeli Sandé Dawn Shadforth

References

  1. Channel 4: Laya Lewis plays Liv
  2. Swift, Aimee (22 January 2012). "Interview: Laya Lewis". The National Student (Liverpool). Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  3. Screenterrier: Skins Season 5 - Meet Laya Lewis
  4. "Skins cast interview". pyromag. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  5. "Emeli Sandé New Video". Entertainment Wise. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  6. "BFI shorts". Lighthouse. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  7. "Vicky McClure and Laya Lewis to star in 1980s film set in Leicester". Leicester Mercury. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  8. "Cuckoo Episode 2.2 - Potato Party". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 17 October 2014.

External links