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Lena Kaur

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Lena Kaur
Born1986 (age 37–38)
Alma materRose Bruford College
OccupationActress
Years active2007–present
Known forHollyoaks

Lena Kaur (born 1986) is a British actress. She is best known for her role as Leila Roy in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks (2008–2010).[1]

Early life

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Lena Kaur grew up in Almondbury near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and is of Indian descent. She attended Almondbury High School and then New College which helped her achieve her dream of being an actress. She studied acting at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup, graduating in 2007.[2]

Career

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After graduating from drama school, Kaur was part of the original cast of BBC Three comedy sketch show Scallywagga, in which she played multiple characters. After successfully being cast as Leila Roy, she joined the cast of Hollyoaks in summer 2008.[3] In August 2008, Lena Kaur praised Hollyoaks producer Bryan Kirkwood for not stereotyping Asians on the programme. Speaking to Take 5 magazine, she stated, "The storylines for me and Stephen (Ravi) aren't being dictated by the colour of our skin. We're both British Asians in real life as well as in the show. We are both totally westernised. We've been brought up in Britain, so the storylines will reflect people like Stephen and me."[4] Kaur announced her decision to leave to pursue new challenges in late 2009, and made her last appearance as Leila in January 2010.[5]

In 2011 she appeared as Alicia Patel in Torchwood's fourth series; Torchwood: Miracle Day airing on BBC One and US premium television network Starz.[6]

In November 2016 she appeared in Stratford upon Avon at the Swan Theatre with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the Rover.[7]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2015 Treasure Island Sue
2024 The Radleys Karen

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2007–2008 Scallywagga Ange / Various
2008–2010 Hollyoaks Leila Roy 128 episodes
2011 Torchwood: Miracle Day Dr. Alicia Patel 1 episode
2012 Prisoners' Wives Maya 1 episode
2012 Emmerdale Dr Barrett 1 episode
2012, 2014 Doctors Nadia Ahmed / Rabia Rahil 2 episodes
2013 Dani's Castle Britney 1 episode
2014 Three Shades of Brown Shalini 2 episodes
2014–2015 Justin's House Mac the Explorer 11 episodes
2016 Happy Valley Bryony 1 episode
2025 I, Jack Wright DC Sam Carver

Stage

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Sisters Meena / Farida / Laila / Azra Crucible Studios, Sheffield
2014 Treasure Island Silent Sue / cover Jim National Theatre, London
2015 The Ghost Train Peggy Murdock Royal Exchange, Manchester
Around the World in 80 Days Miss Singh The Other Palace, London
2016 The Rover Adriana Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
The Two Noble Kinsmen Ceres
Seven Acts of Mercy Donna Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
2017 The Earthworks / Myth Clare / Laura Mischief Festival
The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca Mary Denness Guildhall, Kingston upon Hull
2022 Betty! A Sort of Musical Adrita Royal Exchange, Manchester
2024 The Cat and the Canary Surinder Ghosh Minerva Theatre, Chichester
Expendable Yasmin Royal Court Theatre, London

References

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  1. ^ "A rising star!". Huddersfield Examiner. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  2. ^ http://www.bruford.ac.uk/alumni/graduate-voices.aspx Rose Bruford - Alumni Voices
  3. ^ "Laila - Rafi's Sister". Channel 4 - Hollyoaks. 2 May 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  4. ^ Green, Kris (4 August 2008). "Hollyoaks star praises lack of stereotypes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  5. ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a186574/leila-roy-actress-quits-hollyoaks.html?rss Leila Roy actress quits Hollyoaks
  6. ^ "Spotlight profile of Lena Kaur". Spotlight. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  7. ^ https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-rover/production-photos Lena Kaur as Adriana
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