When I was naive to the complexities of life.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
David Ajala has not joined FLAPSS and has not endorsed it. This page is a reference record assembled from published interviews and public remarks. Every answer below is a direct quotation with the source and date shown next to it.
b. 1986
Born in London, David Ajala, 39, trained at the Anna Scher Theatre School. He joined the RSC in 2008, went on to work at the National Theatre and this year appeared in the West End with Ewan McGregor in My Master Builder. He has had roles in the films Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood, The Dark Knight, Fast & Furious 6 and Jupiter Ascending. Currently he is in Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue on BBC One and The Woman in Cabin 10 on Netflix. He lives in Essex with his wife and two children.
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When I was naive to the complexities of life.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
Helen Mirren was in the elevator with me at the National Theatre. She pressed the button but it didn’t move. I said, “Fancy seeing you here and being stuck in an elevator.” And she said, “Was that meant to be funny?” I apologised, and she laughed. Even talking about it now, it feels so awkward and embarrassing.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
Curious, playful and silly.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
I don’t think anything scares me. It’s a gift and I want to embrace it.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
To a resistant materials teacher at secondary school called Mr Noel. He had a comb-over and whenever he turned his back to write on the blackboard, we would roll up bits of paper and launch them at his head. Once, I hit him. I remember him turning around and looking crestfallen.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
Finding a tenner in your jeans pocket. It has always been there but you find it at the moment you really need it.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
Telesales – having to sell terrible kitchens. I thought, maybe I’m not a good actor because I can’t even convince myself that these kitchens are worth paying for.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
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