David Ajala: ‘Ageing doesn’t scare me. It’s a gift’

<p>The actor on an elevator encounter with Helen Mirren, an apology to a teacher and the lie he told to see Arsenal</p><p>Born in London, David Ajala, 39, trained at the Anna Scher Theatre School. He joined the&nbsp;RSC in 2008, went on to work at the National Theatre and this year appeared in the West End with Ewan McGregor in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/apr/29/my-master-builder-review-ewan-mcgregor-kate-fleetwood-wyndhams-theatre-london">My Master Builder</a>. He has&nbsp;had roles in the films Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood, The Dark Knight, Fast &amp; Furious 6 and Jupiter Ascending. Currently he is in Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue on BBC&nbsp;One and The Woman in Cabin 10 on Netflix. He lives in Essex with his wife and two children.</p><p><strong>When were you happiest?</strong><br>
When I was naive to the complexities&nbsp;of life.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview">Continue reading...</a>