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{{short description|British actor}}
{{Short description|British actor (born 1986)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = David Ajala
| name = David Ajala
Line 5: Line 6:
| caption = David Ajala at San Diego Comic-Con 2019
| caption = David Ajala at San Diego Comic-Con 2019
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|5|21|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|5|21|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Hackney, London|Hackney]], [[London]], [[England]]
| birth_place = [[Hackney, London|Hackney]], London, England
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| yearsactive = 2006–present
| yearsactive = 2006–present
| spouse = Terri Martin
| children = 2
}}
}}


'''David Ajala''' (born 21 May 1986) is a British actor. He is known for his roles as [[Manchester Black]] in ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'' (2018{{ndash}}2019), and Captain Roy Eris in ''[[Nightflyers (TV series)|Nightflyers]]'' (2018), and Cleveland "Book" Booker in ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]'' (2020{{ndash}}present).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/star-trek-discovery-david-ajala-season-3-new-series-regular-character-book-1202648350/|title=‘Star Trek: Discovery’: David Ajala Joins Season 3 Of CBS All Access Series|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|work=www.deadline.com|date=July 20, 2019|access-date=October 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722025154/https://deadline.com/2019/07/star-trek-discovery-david-ajala-season-3-new-series-regular-character-book-1202648350/|archive-date=July 22, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''David Ajala''' (born 21 May 1986<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mike Rose |first=cleveland com |date=2024-05-21 |title=Famous birthdays list for today, May 21, 2024 includes celebrities Sarah Ramos, Mr. T |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2024/05/famous-birthdays-list-for-today-may-21-2024-includes-celebrities-sarah-ramos-mr-t.html |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=cleveland |language=en}}</ref>) is a British actor. He is known for his roles as [[Manchester Black]] in ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'' (2018{{ndash}}2019), Captain Roy Eris in ''[[Nightflyers (TV series)|Nightflyers]]'' (2018), and Cleveland "Book" Booker in ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]'' (2020{{ndash}}2024).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/star-trek-discovery-david-ajala-season-3-new-series-regular-character-book-1202648350/|title='Star Trek: Discovery': David Ajala Joins Season 3 Of CBS All Access Series|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=July 20, 2019|access-date=October 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722025154/https://deadline.com/2019/07/star-trek-discovery-david-ajala-season-3-new-series-regular-character-book-1202648350/|archive-date=July 22, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
David Ajala was born in Hackney, London.<ref name=Interview>{{cite news |author=Emma Brown |url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/discovery-david-ajala/#_ |title=Discovery: David Ajala |newspaper=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]] |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104163639/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/discovery-david-ajala/#_ |archive-date=4 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is of [[British Nigerians|Nigerian]] [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] origin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thebritishblacklist.co.uk/david-ajala-talks-about-current-role-in-itvs-new-drama-series-beowulf/ |title=DAVID AJALA TALKS ABOUT CURRENT ROLE IN ITV’S NEW DRAMA SERIES, BEOWULF |website=The British Blacklist |date=10 January 2016 }}</ref> He trained at the [[Anna Scher Theatre]]. In an interview for ''Interview Magazine'' Ajala said: "When I went to secondary school, my maths teacher said I had way too much energy and was too mischievous. He tried to convince me that if I did acting, I'd be popular with the girls".<ref name="Interview" />
David Ajala was born in Hackney, London.<ref name=Interview>{{cite news |author=Emma Brown |url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/discovery-david-ajala/#_ |title=Discovery: David Ajala |newspaper=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]] |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104163639/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/discovery-david-ajala/#_ |archive-date=4 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> He is of [[British Nigerians|Nigerian]] [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] origin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thebritishblacklist.co.uk/david-ajala-talks-about-current-role-in-itvs-new-drama-series-beowulf/ |title=David Ajala Talks About Current Role In ITV's New Drama Series, Beowulf |website=The British Blacklist |date=10 January 2016}}</ref> He trained at the [[Anna Scher Theatre]]. In an interview for ''Interview Magazine'' Ajala said: "When I went to secondary school, my maths teacher said I had way too much energy and was too mischievous. He tried to convince me that if I did acting, I'd be popular with the girls".<ref name="Interview" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
On stage, Ajala has performed in ''[[Nation (novel)#Adaptation|Nation]]'', ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' with the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]], ''[[Hamlet]]'',<ref name=Flav>{{cite web |url=http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/davidajalatalks/ |title=Rising Brit actor David Ajala talks Dr Who and Hollywood |website=Flavour Magazine |date=16 February 2010 |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104162914/http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/davidajalatalks/ |archive-date=4 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> and as [[Jim Brown]] in the European premiere of ''[[One Night in Miami (play)|One Night in Miami]]'' by [[Kemp Powers]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Vincent Dowd |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37611541 |title=Muhammad Ali play puts icons of black America on stage |publisher=BBC |date=11 October 2016 |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128005922/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37611541 |archive-date=28 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>


On stage Ajala has performed in ''[[Nation (novel)#Adaptation|Nation]]'', ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' with the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]], ''[[Hamlet]]'',<ref name=Flav>{{cite web |url=http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/davidajalatalks/ |title=Rising Brit actor David Ajala talks Dr Who and Hollywood |website=Flavour Magazine |date=16 February 2010 |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104162914/http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/davidajalatalks/ |archive-date=4 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> and as [[Jim Brown]] in the European premiere of [[Kemp Powers]]''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Vincent Dowd |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37611541 |title=Muhammad Ali play puts icons of black America on stage |publisher=BBC |date=11 October 2016 |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128005922/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37611541 |archive-date=28 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In film, his first part was in ''[[Kidulthood]]'', and he also appears in the sequels, ''[[Adulthood (2008 film)|Adulthood]]''<ref name=Interview/> and ''[[Brotherhood (2016 film)|Brotherhood]]'';<ref name=Shadow>{{cite web |url=http://shadowandact.com/2016/07/03/watch-clare-hope-ashitey-david-ajala-star-in-london-set-short-drama-thriller-seekers/ |title=Watch: Clare-Hope Ashitey & David Ajala Star in London-Set Short Drama-Thriller, 'Seekers' |website=Shadow and Act |date=3 July 2016 |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104163507/http://shadowandact.com/2016/07/03/watch-clare-hope-ashitey-david-ajala-star-in-london-set-short-drama-thriller-seekers/ |archive-date=4 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> he has also appeared in ''[[The Dark Knight]]''<ref name=Flav/> and in major roles in ''[[Starred Up]]''<ref name=Interview/> and the 2016 ''Seekers''.<ref name=Shadow/> On TV he has appeared in many series including ''[[Doctor Who]]''<ref name=Flav/> and in major roles in ''[[Black Box (TV series)|Black Box]]'', ''[[Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands]]'', ''[[Nightflyers (TV series)|Nightflyers]]'', and ''[[Falling Water (TV series)|Falling Water]]''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Nellie Andreeva |url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/david-ajala-star-falling-water-usa-pilot-1201452713/ |title=David Ajala To Star In USA Pilot 'Falling Water' |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=June 23, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801150156/http://deadline.com/2015/06/david-ajala-star-falling-water-usa-pilot-1201452713/ |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In film, his first part was in ''[[Kidulthood]]'', and he also appears in the sequels, ''[[Adulthood (film)|Adulthood]]''<ref name=Interview/> and ''[[Brotherhood (2016 film)|Brotherhood]]'';<ref name=Shadow>{{cite web |url=http://shadowandact.com/2016/07/03/watch-clare-hope-ashitey-david-ajala-star-in-london-set-short-drama-thriller-seekers/ |title=Watch: Clare-Hope Ashitey & David Ajala Star in London-Set Short Drama-Thriller, 'Seekers' |website=Shadow and Act |date=3 July 2016 |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104163507/http://shadowandact.com/2016/07/03/watch-clare-hope-ashitey-david-ajala-star-in-london-set-short-drama-thriller-seekers/ |archive-date=4 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> he has also appeared in ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]''<ref name=Flav/> and in major roles in ''[[Starred Up]]''<ref name=Interview/> and the 2016 ''Seekers''.<ref name=Shadow/> On TV he has appeared in many series including ''[[Doctor Who]]''<ref name=Flav/> and in major roles in ''[[Black Box (TV series)|Black Box]]'', ''[[Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands]]'', ''[[Nightflyers (TV series)|Nightflyers]]'', and ''[[Falling Water (TV series)|Falling Water]]''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Nellie Andreeva |url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/david-ajala-star-falling-water-usa-pilot-1201452713/ |title=David Ajala To Star In USA Pilot 'Falling Water' |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=June 23, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801150156/http://deadline.com/2015/06/david-ajala-star-falling-water-usa-pilot-1201452713/ |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Sean 'Mac' McAlister, a character from 2017 video game ''[[Need for Speed Payback]]'', is voiced by and modeled after him.
Sean 'Mac' McAlister, a character from 2017 video game ''[[Need for Speed Payback]]'', is voiced by and modeled after him.
Line 25: Line 27:
Ajala has appeared as Keith in the BBC Radio 4 dramas ''Burned To Nothing'' (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x41n8|title=Burned to Nothing, Afternoon Drama - BBC Radio 4|website=BBC|access-date=2018-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503032458/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x41n8|archive-date=2013-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref> and Felix in ''The Price of Oil: Someone's Making A Killing In Nigeria'' both by Rex Obano.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cvgq8|title=Someone's Making a Killing in Nigeria, The Price of Oil, Drama - BBC Radio 4|website=BBC|access-date=2018-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014185026/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cvgq8|archive-date=2018-10-14|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ajala has appeared as Keith in the BBC Radio 4 dramas ''Burned To Nothing'' (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x41n8|title=Burned to Nothing, Afternoon Drama - BBC Radio 4|website=BBC|access-date=2018-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503032458/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x41n8|archive-date=2013-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref> and Felix in ''The Price of Oil: Someone's Making A Killing In Nigeria'' both by Rex Obano.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cvgq8|title=Someone's Making a Killing in Nigeria, The Price of Oil, Drama - BBC Radio 4|website=BBC|access-date=2018-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014185026/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cvgq8|archive-date=2018-10-14|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2018 Ajala was cast in season 4 of ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'', portraying [[Manchester Black]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://heroichollywood.com/david-ajala-manchester-black-supergirl/|title=See David Ajala As Manchester Black In New 'Supergirl' Photo|date=2018-10-30|work=Heroic Hollywood|access-date=2018-11-21|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121203955/https://heroichollywood.com/david-ajala-manchester-black-supergirl/|archive-date=2018-11-21|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2018 and 2019, Ajala played [[Manchester Black]] in seven episodes of the fourth season of ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://heroichollywood.com/david-ajala-manchester-black-supergirl/|title=See David Ajala As Manchester Black In New 'Supergirl' Photo|date=2018-10-30|work=Heroic Hollywood|access-date=2018-11-21|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121203955/https://heroichollywood.com/david-ajala-manchester-black-supergirl/|archive-date=2018-11-21|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 2020 to 2024, Ajala played the series regular role of Cleveland "Book" Booker in the third through fifth seasons of ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-trek-discovery-season5-david-ajala-interview/|title=Star Trek: Discovery's David Ajala Is Candid About Book's 'Complicated' Future|first=Sam|last=Stone|date=1 May 2024|website=CBR}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ajala is married to presenter and travel agent Terri Martin. They have two sons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://atthemoviesonline.com/2018/11/07/david-ajala/?amp=1|title=David Ajala|website=At the Movies|date=7 November 2018|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|+ Film roles
|-
|-
!Year
!Year
!Title
!Title
!Role
!Role
!Notes
!class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|-
|2006
| 2006
|''[[Kidulthood]]''
| ''[[Kidulthood]]''
|Desmond
| Desmond
|Uncredited
| Uncredited
|-
|-
|2008
| rowspan="2"|2008
|''[[Adulthood (film)|Adulthood]]''
| ''[[Adulthood (2008 film)|Adulthood]]''
|Desmond
| Desmond
|
|
|-
|-
| ''[[The Dark Knight]]''
|2008
| Bounty Hunter #2
|''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]''
|Bounty Hunter #2
|
|
|-
|-
|2010
| rowspan="2"|2010
|''Winter Sun''
| ''Winter Sun''
|Guy
| Guy
|Short film
| Short film
|-
|-
| ''Following Footsteps''
|2010
| Christopher Knight
|''Following Footsteps''
|Christopher Knight
|
|
|-
|-
|2011
| rowspan="2"|2011
|''[[One Day (2011 film)|One Day]]''
| ''[[One Day (2011 film)|One Day]]''
|Floor Manager
| Floor Manager
|
|
|-
|-
| ''Spirit''
|2011
| Terror
|''Spirit''
| Short film
|Terror
|Short film
|-
|-
|2012
| rowspan="4"|2012
|''[[Payback Season]]''
| ''[[Payback Season]]''
|Baron
| Baron
|
|
|-
|-
| ''Illegal Activity''
|2012
| Edward
|''Illegal Activity''
| Short film
|Edward
|Short film
|-
|-
| ''[[Offender (film)|Offender]]''
|2012
| Kelvin
|''[[Offender (film)|Offender]]''
|Kelvin
|
|
|-
|-
| ''Sentenced Served''
|2012
| Marvin
|''Sentenced Served''
| Short film
|Marvin
|Short film
|-
|-
|2013
| rowspan="3"|2013
|''[[Fast & Furious 6]]''
| ''[[Fast & Furious 6]]''
| [[List of Fast & Furious characters#Ivory|Ivory]]
|Ivory
|
|
|-
|-
| ''[[Starred Up]]''
|2013
| Tyrone
|''[[Starred Up]]''
|Tyrone
|
|
|-
|-
| ''Breakthrough''
|2013
| Henry
|''Breakthrough''
| Short film
|Henry
|Short film
|-
|-
|2014
| rowspan="2"|2014
|''Queen of Diamonds''
| ''Queen of Diamonds''
|Bench Guy
| Bench Guy
|Short film
| Short film
|-
|-
| ''Emulsion''
|2014
| Jeff
|''Emulsion''
|Jeff
|
|
|-
|-
|2015
| rowspan="3"|2015
|''[[Jupiter Ascending]]''
| ''[[Jupiter Ascending]]''
|Ibis
| Ibis
|
|
|-
|-
| ''He Works the Long Nights''
|2015
|''He Works the Long Nights''
|
|
|Short film
| Short film
|-
|-
| ''Spirit''
|2016
| Terror
|''Seekers''
| Short film
|Amadu
|Short film
|-
|-
|2016
| rowspan="3"|2016
|''[[Kill Command]]''
| ''Seekers''
| Amadu
|Drifter
| Short film
|-
| ''[[Kill Command]]''
| Drifter
|
|
|-
|-
| ''[[Brotherhood (2016 film)|Brotherhood]]''
|2016
| Detective Desmond 'BUDS' Lynch
|''[[Brotherhood (2016 film)|Brotherhood]]''
|Detective Desmond 'BUDS' Lynch
|
|
|-
|-
|2017
| rowspan="3"|2017
|''The Art of Love''
| ''The Art of Love''
|Anthony
| Anthony
|Short film
| Short film
|-
|-
| ''Support''
|2017
| Chris
|''Support''
| Short film
|Chris
|-
|Short film
| ''Without Disguise''
| Leo
| Short film
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Italian Studies (film)|Italian Studies]]''
| Ade
|
|-
| 2023
| ''Daylight Rules''
| Frank
| Short film
|-
| TBA
| ''[[The Woman in Cabin 10]]''
|
| Filming
|}
|}


===Television===
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|+ Television roles
|-
|-
!Year
!Year
!Title
!Title
!Role
!Role
!Notes
!class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|-
|2007
| 2007
|''[[Dream Team (TV series)|Dream Team]]''
| ''[[Dream Team (TV series)|Dream Team]]''
|Sean Campbell
| Sean Campbell
| 18 episodes
|Main cast
|-
|-
|2008
| rowspan="3"|2008
|''[[The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury]]''
| ''[[The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury]]''
|Steve
| Steve
|Episode: "Technology Bytes"
| Episode: "Technology Bytes"
|-
|-
| ''[[The Bill]]''
|2008
| Lenny Jones
|''[[The Bill]]''
| Episode: "Beth Undercover"
|Lenny Jones
|Episode: "Beth Undercover"
|-
|-
| ''[[Trexx and Flipside]]''
|2008
|''[[Trexx and Flipside]]''
| Flipside
| 6 episodes
|Flipside
|Main cast
|-
|-
|2009
| 2009
|''[[Hamlet (2009 film)|Hamlet]]''
| ''[[Hamlet (2009 film)|Hamlet]]''
|Reynaldo / Dumbshow Poisoner
| Reynaldo / Dumbshow Poisoner
|TV Movie
| TV film
|-
|-
|2010
| 2010
|''[[Doctor Who]]''
| ''[[Doctor Who]]''
|Peter
| Peter
|Episode: "[[The Beast Below]]"
| Episode: "[[The Beast Below]]"
|-
|-
|2011
| rowspan="3"|2011
|''[[Silent Witness]]''
| ''[[Silent Witness]]''
|Mark Blakefield
| Mark Blakefield
|2 episodes
| 2 episodes
|-
|-
| ''[[Coming Up (TV series)|Coming Up]]''
|2011
| Malachi
|''[[Coming Up (TV series)|Coming Up]]''
| Episode: "Micah"
|Malachi
|Episode: "Micah"
|-
|-
| ''[[Misfits (TV series)|Misfits]]''
|2011
| Private Investigator
|''[[Misfits (TV series)|Misfits]]''
| Episode #3.6
|Private Investigator
|1 episode
|-
|-
|2012
| 2012
|''[[Monroe (TV series)|Monroe]]''
| ''[[Monroe (TV series)|Monroe]]''
|Max Portas
| Max Portas
| Episode #2.4
|1 episode
|-
|-
|2013
| rowspan="3"|2013
|''[[Death in Paradise (TV series)|Death in Paradise]]''
| ''[[Death in Paradise (TV series)|Death in Paradise]]''
|Louis Nelson
| Louis Nelson
|Episode: "Murder on the Plantation"
| Episode: "Murder on the Plantation"
|-
|-
| ''[[Black Mirror]]''
|2013
| Jeff Carter
|''[[Black Mirror]]''
| Episode: "[[The Waldo Moment]]"
|Jeff Carter
|Episode: "[[The Waldo Moment]]"
|-
|-
| ''[[Law & Order: UK]]''
|2013
| Gavin Dale
|''[[Law & Order: UK]]''
| 2 episodes
|Gavin Dale
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|2014
| 2014
|''[[Black Box (TV series)|Black Box]]''
| ''[[Black Box (TV series)|Black Box]]''
|Will Van Renseller
| Will Van Renseller
| 13 episodes
|Main cast
|-
|-
|2016
| rowspan="3"|2016
|''[[Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands]]''
| ''[[Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands]]''
|Rate
| Rate
| 6 episodes
|Miniseries
|-
|-
| ''[[Hooten & the Lady]]''
|2016
| Dawit
|''[[Hooten & the Lady]]''
| Episode: "Ethiopia"
|Dawit
|Episode: "Ethiopia"
|-
|-
| ''The Break''
|2016
| Xavier
|''The Break''
| Episode: "System Cycle"
|Xavier
|Episode: "System Cycle"
|-
|-
| 2016–2018
|2016-18
|''[[Falling Water (TV series)|Falling Water]]''
| ''[[Falling Water (TV series)|Falling Water]]''
|Burton
| Burton
| 20 episodes
|Main cast
|-
|-
|2018
| 2018
|''[[Nightflyers (TV series)|Nightflyers]]''
| ''[[Nightflyers (TV series)|Nightflyers]]''
|Roy Eris
| Roy Eris
| 10 episodes
|Main cast
|-
|-
| 2018–2019
|2018-19
|''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''
| ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''
|[[Manchester Black]]
| [[Manchester Black]]
| 7 episodes
|Recurring
|-
|-
|2019
| 2019
|''[[Urban Myths]]''
| ''[[Urban Myths (TV series)|Urban Myths]]''
|The Burglar
| The Burglar
|Episode: "Grace Under Pressure"
| Episode: "Grace Under Pressure"
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"|2020–2024
| 2020–present
| ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]''
| ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]''
| [[List_of_Star_Trek:_Discovery_characters#Cleveland_"Book"_Booker|Cleveland "Book" Booker]]
| [[List of Star Trek: Discovery characters#Cleveland "Book" Booker|Cleveland "Book" Booker]]
| Main cast<ref name="Ajala">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/star-trek-discovery-david-ajala-season-3-new-series-regular-character-book-1202648350/|title='Star Trek: Discovery': David Ajala Joins Season 3 Of CBS All Access Series|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=July 20, 2019|access-date=October 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720212404/https://deadline.com/2019/07/star-trek-discovery-david-ajala-season-3-new-series-regular-character-book-1202648350/|archive-date=July 20, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 33 episodes<ref name="Ajala">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/star-trek-discovery-david-ajala-season-3-new-series-regular-character-book-1202648350/|title='Star Trek: Discovery': David Ajala Joins Season 3 Of CBS All Access Series|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=July 20, 2019|access-date=October 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720212404/https://deadline.com/2019/07/star-trek-discovery-david-ajala-season-3-new-series-regular-character-book-1202648350/|archive-date=July 20, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[The Ready Room]]''
| Himself
| 4 episodes
|-
| 2024
| ''[[The Jetty (TV series)|The Jetty]]''
| Casey
| 4 episodes
|-
| {{TableTBA}}
| ''[[Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue]]''
| Zack
| In production
|}
|}


===Video games===
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|+ Video game roles
|-
|-
!Year
!Year
Line 278: Line 302:
!Role
!Role
|-
|-
|2017
| rowspan="2"|2017
|''[[Mass Effect: Andromeda]]''
| ''[[Mass Effect: Andromeda]]''
|Additional voices
| Additional voices
|-
| ''[[Need for Speed: Payback]]''
| Sean 'Mac' McAlister
|}

==Theatre credits==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Venue
|-
| rowspan="2"|2006
| ''You Are Right If You Say So''
| Lamberto Laudisi
| [[Courtyard Theatre, London|Courtyard Theatre]], London
|-
| ''How to Steal a Diamond''
| YM
| [[Traverse Theatre]], [[Edinburgh]]
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Torben Betts#Selected theatre|The Swing of Things]]''
| Claude Kabinda
| [[Stephen Joseph Theatre]], [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|2008
| ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]''
| [[Lysander (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
|-
| rowspan="2"|2009
| ''[[Death and the King's Horseman]]''
| HRH The Prince
| [[Royal National Theatre]], London
|-
| ''[[Nation (novel)|Nation]]''
| Milo
| Royal National Theatre, London
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Ruined (play)|Ruined]]''
| Fortune
| [[Almeida Theatre]], London
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Vivienne Franzmann|The Witness]]''
| Simon
| [[Royal Court Theatre]], London
|-
| 2016
| ''[[One Night in Miami (play)|One Night in Miami]]''
| [[Jim Brown]]
| [[Donmar Warehouse]], London
|-
|-
|2017
|''[[Need for Speed: Payback]]''
|Sean 'Mac' McAlister
|}
|}


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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDB name | 2916966}}
*{{IMDb name | 2916966}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Anna Scher Theatre School]]
[[Category:British male film actors]]
[[Category:British male film actors]]
[[Category:British male television actors]]
[[Category:British male television actors]]
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[[Category:21st-century British male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century British male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from London]]
[[Category:Male actors from London]]
[[Category:Actors from the London Borough of Hackney]]
[[Category:People from Hackney, London]]

Latest revision as of 01:11, 18 November 2024

David Ajala
David Ajala at San Diego Comic-Con 2019
Born (1986-05-21) 21 May 1986 (age 38)
Hackney, London, England
OccupationActor
Years active2006–present
SpouseTerri Martin
Children2

David Ajala (born 21 May 1986[1]) is a British actor. He is known for his roles as Manchester Black in Supergirl (2018–2019), Captain Roy Eris in Nightflyers (2018), and Cleveland "Book" Booker in Star Trek: Discovery (2020–2024).[2]

Early life

[edit]

David Ajala was born in Hackney, London.[3] He is of Nigerian Yoruba origin.[4] He trained at the Anna Scher Theatre. In an interview for Interview Magazine Ajala said: "When I went to secondary school, my maths teacher said I had way too much energy and was too mischievous. He tried to convince me that if I did acting, I'd be popular with the girls".[3]

Career

[edit]

On stage, Ajala has performed in Nation, A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hamlet,[5] and as Jim Brown in the European premiere of One Night in Miami by Kemp Powers.[6]

In film, his first part was in Kidulthood, and he also appears in the sequels, Adulthood[3] and Brotherhood;[7] he has also appeared in The Dark Knight[5] and in major roles in Starred Up[3] and the 2016 Seekers.[7] On TV he has appeared in many series including Doctor Who[5] and in major roles in Black Box, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, Nightflyers, and Falling Water.[8]

Sean 'Mac' McAlister, a character from 2017 video game Need for Speed Payback, is voiced by and modeled after him.

Ajala has appeared as Keith in the BBC Radio 4 dramas Burned To Nothing (2011)[9] and Felix in The Price of Oil: Someone's Making A Killing In Nigeria both by Rex Obano.[10]

In 2018 and 2019, Ajala played Manchester Black in seven episodes of the fourth season of Supergirl.[11]

From 2020 to 2024, Ajala played the series regular role of Cleveland "Book" Booker in the third through fifth seasons of Star Trek: Discovery.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

Ajala is married to presenter and travel agent Terri Martin. They have two sons.[13]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
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

[edit]
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[14]
The Ready Room Himself 4 episodes
2024 The Jetty Casey 4 episodes
TBA Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue Zack In production

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role
2017 Mass Effect: Andromeda Additional voices
Need for Speed: Payback Sean 'Mac' McAlister

Theatre credits

[edit]
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

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mike Rose, cleveland com (21 May 2024). "Famous birthdays list for today, May 21, 2024 includes celebrities Sarah Ramos, Mr. T". cleveland. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  2. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (20 July 2019). "'Star Trek: Discovery': David Ajala Joins Season 3 Of CBS All Access Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Emma Brown (1 May 2014). "Discovery: David Ajala". Interview. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  4. ^ "David Ajala Talks About Current Role In ITV's New Drama Series, Beowulf". The British Blacklist. 10 January 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Rising Brit actor David Ajala talks Dr Who and Hollywood". Flavour Magazine. 16 February 2010. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  6. ^ Vincent Dowd (11 October 2016). "Muhammad Ali play puts icons of black America on stage". BBC. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Watch: Clare-Hope Ashitey & David Ajala Star in London-Set Short Drama-Thriller, 'Seekers'". Shadow and Act. 3 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  8. ^ Nellie Andreeva (23 June 2015). "David Ajala To Star In USA Pilot 'Falling Water'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Burned to Nothing, Afternoon Drama - BBC Radio 4". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Someone's Making a Killing in Nigeria, The Price of Oil, Drama - BBC Radio 4". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  11. ^ "See David Ajala As Manchester Black In New 'Supergirl' Photo". Heroic Hollywood. 30 October 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  12. ^ Stone, Sam (1 May 2024). "Star Trek: Discovery's David Ajala Is Candid About Book's 'Complicated' Future". CBR.
  13. ^ "David Ajala". At the Movies. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  14. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (20 July 2019). "'Star Trek: Discovery': David Ajala Joins Season 3 Of CBS All Access Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
[edit]
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