David Ajala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Ajala
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David Ajala at San Diego Comic-Con 2019
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| Born | 21 May 1986 Hackney, London, England
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Spouse(s) | Terri Martin |
| Children | 2 |
David Ajala (born May 21, 1986) is a talented British actor. You might know him from his exciting roles in popular TV shows. He played Manchester Black in Supergirl, Captain Roy Eris in Nightflyers, and Cleveland "Book" Booker in Star Trek: Discovery.
Contents
Growing Up and Starting Out
David Ajala grew up in Hackney, London, England. His family comes from Nigeria, specifically the Yoruba people. He learned acting at the Anna Scher Theatre. David once shared a funny story about how he started acting. His math teacher thought he had too much energy in school! The teacher suggested acting, saying it might even make him popular.
David Ajala's Acting Journey
David Ajala has had a busy career, acting in plays, movies, and TV shows. He has also lent his voice to video games.
On Stage
David has performed in many plays on stage. He acted in famous plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Hamlet. He also played Jim Brown in the play One Night in Miami.
In Movies
David's first movie role was in Kidulthood. He also appeared in its follow-up films, Adulthood and Brotherhood. You might have also seen him in The Dark Knight. He had important roles in movies like Starred Up and Seekers.
On Television
David has appeared in many TV series. He was in Doctor Who and had major roles in Black Box, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, Nightflyers, and Falling Water.
From 2018 to 2019, David played the character Manchester Black in seven episodes of Supergirl. Later, from 2020 to 2024, he became a regular cast member on Star Trek: Discovery. In this show, he played Cleveland "Book" Booker, a popular character.
Voice Acting
David also uses his voice for characters. He voiced Sean 'Mac' McAlister in the 2017 video game Need for Speed Payback. The character in the game was even designed to look like him! He also acted in BBC Radio 4 dramas like Burned To Nothing and The Price of Oil.
Family Life
David Ajala is married to Terri Martin, who is a presenter and travel agent. They have two sons together.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Kidulthood | Desmond | Uncredited |
| 2008 | Adulthood | Desmond | |
| The Dark Knight | Bounty Hunter #2 | ||
| 2010 | Winter Sun | Guy | Short film |
| Following Footsteps | Christopher Knight | ||
| 2011 | One Day | Floor Manager | |
| Spirit | Terror | Short film | |
| 2012 | Payback Season | Baron | |
| Illegal Activity | Edward | Short film | |
| Offender | Kelvin | ||
| Sentenced Served | Marvin | Short film | |
| 2013 | Fast & Furious 6 | Ivory | |
| Starred Up | Tyrone | ||
| Breakthrough | Henry | Short film | |
| 2014 | Queen of Diamonds | Bench Guy | Short film |
| Emulsion | Jeff | ||
| 2015 | Jupiter Ascending | Ibis | |
| He Works the Long Nights | Short film | ||
| Spirit | Terror | Short film | |
| 2016 | Seekers | Amadu | Short film |
| Kill Command | Drifter | ||
| Brotherhood | Detective Desmond 'BUDS' Lynch | ||
| 2017 | The Art of Love | Anthony | Short film |
| Support | Chris | Short film | |
| Without Disguise | Leo | Short film | |
| 2021 | Italian Studies | Ade | |
| 2023 | Daylight Rules | Frank | Short film |
| TBA | The Woman in Cabin 10 | Filming |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Dream Team | Sean Campbell | 18 episodes |
| 2008 | The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury | Steve | Episode: "Technology Bytes" |
| The Bill | Lenny Jones | Episode: "Beth Undercover" | |
| Trexx and Flipside | Flipside | 6 episodes | |
| 2009 | Hamlet | Reynaldo / Dumbshow Poisoner | TV film |
| 2010 | Doctor Who | Peter | Episode: "The Beast Below" |
| 2011 | Silent Witness | Mark Blakefield | 2 episodes |
| Coming Up | Malachi | Episode: "Micah" | |
| Misfits | Private Investigator | Episode #3.6 | |
| 2012 | Monroe | Max Portas | Episode #2.4 |
| 2013 | Death in Paradise | Louis Nelson | Episode: "Murder on the Plantation" |
| Black Mirror | Jeff Carter | Episode: "The Waldo Moment" | |
| Law & Order: UK | Gavin Dale | 2 episodes | |
| 2014 | Black Box | Will Van Renseller | 13 episodes |
| 2016 | Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands | Rate | 6 episodes |
| Hooten & the Lady | Dawit | Episode: "Ethiopia" | |
| The Break | Xavier | Episode: "System Cycle" | |
| 2016–2018 | Falling Water | Burton | 20 episodes |
| 2018 | Nightflyers | Roy Eris | 10 episodes |
| 2018–2019 | Supergirl | Manchester Black | 7 episodes |
| 2019 | Urban Myths | The Burglar | Episode: "Grace Under Pressure" |
| 2020–2024 | Star Trek: Discovery | Cleveland "Book" Booker | 33 episodes |
| The Ready Room | Himself | 4 episodes | |
| 2024 | The Jetty | Casey | 4 episodes |
| TBA | Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue | Zack | In production |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Mass Effect: Andromeda | Additional voices |
| Need for Speed: Payback | Sean 'Mac' McAlister |
Theatre credits
| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | You Are Right If You Say So | Lamberto Laudisi | Courtyard Theatre, London |
| How to Steal a Diamond | YM | Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh | |
| 2007 | The Swing of Things | Claude Kabinda | Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough |
| 2008 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Lysander (Understudy) | Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| Love's Labour's Lost | Lord Dumaine (Understudy) | Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon | |
| 2009 | Death and the King's Horseman | HRH The Prince | Royal National Theatre, London |
| Nation | Milo | Royal National Theatre, London | |
| 2010 | Ruined | Fortune | Almeida Theatre, London |
| 2012 | The Witness | Simon | Royal Court Theatre, London |
| 2016 | One Night in Miami | Jim Brown | Donmar Warehouse, London |
See also
