Roxy Shahidi | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1983-03-14)14 March 1983 (age 42) Nottingham, England |
| Other names | Rokhsaneh Ali[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Television | Emmerdale Dancing on Ice |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi (Persian:رخسانه قوام شهيدي; born 14 March 1983) is an English actress and screenwriter. She is known for portraying from 2008 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2025 the role ofLeyla Harding inITV soapEmmerdale. In 2024, she was a contestant on thesixteenth series ofDancing on Ice.
Shahidi was born Rokhsaneh Gwaham-Shahidi on 14 March 1983 to an Iranian father and an English mother, and grew up inWhalley Range inManchester.[2][3] She became a vegetarian at the age of 8, and has been a vegan since the age of 21.[4]
Shahidi began her career as part of Contact Young Actors Company in 2004 and went on to work for Peskar Productions as a drama workshop leader inOldham andBolton.[5] Her theatre credits includeEast is East,Janus (forWest Yorkshire Playhouse),Christie Malry's Own Double Entry at thePalace Theatre, Manchester,Freshly Scratched (for theBattersea Arts Centre) andRafta, Rafta... at theNational Theatre.[6] Shahidi made her on-screen debut in theBBC Three comedy-drama seriesSinchronicity in 2006. She has also acted inradio plays, e.g. Nadeem Aslam'sMaps for Lost Lovers. From November 2012 through to January 2013 she played the role of Shahrazad in the Manchester Library Theatre Company performances ofArabian Nights at the Lowry Theatre in Salford, near Manchester.[7]
In August 2008, Shahidi joined the cast of theITV soap operaEmmerdale asLeyla Harding.[8] After departing the role in August 2011, Shahidi returned toEmmerdale for two episodes in December 2013, before reprising the role on a permanent basis from January 2014.[9] In 2022, Shahidi andEmmerdale co-starMatthew Wolfenden were co-signed to United Agents as screenwriters. They collaborated on an episode of theBBC medical dramaHolby City and three episodes of the BBC soap operaDoctors.[1] In 2024, Shahidi appeared as a contestant on thesixteenth series ofDancing on Ice.[10][11] She was paired withSylvain Longchambon and was fourth to be eliminated.[12]
Shahidi married actorArsher Ali in 2010. They have a daughter together born in 2018.[13][14]
Shahidi has set up a Yoga Lunch Club in the Creative Quarter inHockley,Greater Nottingham where she also is based.[15] She also has a YouTube channel on which she regularly shares yoga videos.[16]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Emmerdale | Lila Wray | 1 episode | Guest role |
| 2006 | Sinchronicity | Ivory | 1 episode | [17] |
| 2008–2011, 2013–2025 | Emmerdale | Leyla Harding | Regular role | [18] |
| 2013 | National Theatre Live:Othello | Bianca | Live theatre | [19] |
| 2020 | Naimh Armstrong: On A Different Planet | Miss Hussain | Short film | [20] |
| 2024 | Dancing on Ice | Herself | Contestant;series 16 | [21] |
| 2024 | Drama Queens | Herself | Main cast | [22] |
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | TV Choice Awards | Best Soap Actress | Nominated | [23] |
| 2019 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actress | Longlisted | [24] |