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David Ajala
British actor (born 1986) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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] He will also become a regular cast member on Law & Order.[3]
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Early life
Ajala was born on 21 May 1986 in Hackney, London.[4] He is of Nigerian Yoruba origin.[5] 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".[4]
Career
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On stage, Ajala has performed in Nation, A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hamlet,[6] and as Jim Brown in the European premiere of One Night in Miami by Kemp Powers.[7]
In film, his first part was in Kidulthood, and he also appears in the sequels, Adulthood[4] and Brotherhood;[8] he has also appeared in The Dark Knight[6] and in major roles in Starred Up[4] and the 2016 Seekers.[8] On TV he has appeared in many series including Doctor Who[6] and in major roles in Black Box, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, Nightflyers, and Falling Water.[9]
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)[10] and Felix in The Price of Oil: Someone's Making A Killing In Nigeria both by Rex Obano.[11]
In 2018 and 2019, Ajala played Manchester Black in seven episodes of the fourth season of Supergirl.[12]
From 2020 to 2024, Ajala played the series regular role of Cleveland "Book" Booker in the third through fifth seasons of Star Trek: Discovery.[13]
On September 24, 2025, it was revealed that Ajala will play a regular NYPD detective character on Law & Order starting partway through the show's 25th season.[14][3]
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Personal life
Ajala is married to presenter and travel agent Terri Martin. They have two sons.[15]
Filmography
Film
Television
Video games
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Theatre credits
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References
External links
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