Yasmine Akram (born 11 March 1982) is an Irish-Pakistani actress, writer and comedian. She has written comedy sketches for the BBC and Channel 4, and played Janine Hawkins in the third series of Sherlock.
Early life and education Yasmine Akram was born on 11 March 1982 in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Her family settled in Drogheda, Ireland when she was 18 months old. Her father is originally from Pakistan. Her Irish mother Mona is from Drogheda and still lives in the town. She has a sister called Masooma.
From the age of 14, Akram collaborated with the Calipo Theatre and the Picture Company. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where she studied acting.
Career After graduating from drama school, Akram wrote comedy sketches for the BBC and Channel 4, and hosted for BBC Radio. She wrote her first play, 10 Dates with Mad Mary, a monologue about a young woman's struggles after leaving prison, and performed the play at Project Arts Centre in Ireland in 2010. This was adapted into the feature film A Date for Mad Mary in 2016.
She writes and performs as half of London-based comedy duo Ford and Akram with English comedian Louise Ford. The duo's live show in 2011 was directed by Alistair McGowan for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 2013, she co-wrote and co-presented BBC Radio 4's Irish Micks and Legends with Aisling Bea, with whom she worked on the Channel 4 sketch comedy LOL.
In 2014, she portrayed Janine Hawkins opposite Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes in two episodes of the third series of Sherlock. She reprised the role in the 2016 special, "The Abominable Bride", in which her character's name was Janine Donlevy.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2016 London Town Nurse 2018 Metal Heart Anna
Television Year Title Role Notes 2002 A Scare at Bedtime Rita Quimbly Episode: "Model Wife 2004 Love Is the Drug Aisling 1 episode2010 Peep Show Yana Episode: "St Hospitals" L.O.L Various 1 episode2013 Common Ground Restaurant Manager Episode: "William & Sinclair" It's Kevin Various 2 episodes London Irish Check-in Girl 1 episode2014 The Midnight Beast Jess Episode: "Beast Holiday Ever" The Centre Amanda Menton Series regular 2014–2015 Stella Parvadi Recurring role 2014–2016 Sherlock Janine Hawkins Recurring role2015 Count Arthur Strong Gemma Episode: "Still Life" Asylum Rosa Miniseries Undercover Lara Series regular Unforgotten Kelly 2 episodes2016 Murder in Successville Nigella Lawson Episode: "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" Outsiders Yasmine Miniseries 2016–2018 Lovesick Maria "Jonesy" Jones Recurring role2018 Damned Hazel 1 episode Action Team Gemma Stone Episode: "Push the Button" Humans Audrey Ballard 3 episodes Women on the Verge Samara 3 episodes2018–2019The Reluctant LandlordJulieSeries regular 2018–2020 There She Goes Helen Series regular 2019 Gold Digger Elmear Day Miniseries2020 Avenue 5 Hannah Recurring role Flack Ashley Dillon Episode: "Danny & Deepak"2022–2024 Bad SistersNoraRecurring role2023 Beyond Paradise Carol Meadows 1 episode
Theatre Year Title Role Venue Notes 1998 Love Is The Drug Foxy Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda with "Calipo Theatre Company" 1999 Xaviers Joanne Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda with "Calipo Theatre Company" 2000 Makin' Hits Various roles Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda with "Calipo Theatre Company" 2001 Getting 2 Level 10 Helen Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda with "Calipo Theatre Company" 2009 The Wicked Lady Paulina New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme 2010 Ellamenope Jones Project Arts Centre, Dublin 2011 The Big Fellah Karelma Lyric Theatre, London with Out of Joint Theatre Company 2017 The Retreat Tara Park Theatre, London
References
External links