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).
Early life 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.http://www.bruford.ac.uk/alumni/graduate-voices.aspx Rose Bruford - Alumni Voices
Career 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. 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." Kaur announced her decision to leave to pursue new challenges in late 2009, and made her last appearance as Leila in January 2010.http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a186574/leila-roy-actress-quits-hollyoaks.html?rss Leila Roy actress quits Hollyoaks
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.
In November 2016 she appeared in Stratford upon Avon at the Swan Theatre with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the Rover.https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-rover/production-photos Lena Kaur as Adriana
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2015 Treasure Island Sue 2024 The Radleys Karen
Television 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 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, London2026Guess How Much I Love You?MidwifeRoyal Court Theatre, London
References
External links
Lena Kaur at Spotlight