# Lena Kaur

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.

## 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.
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.

## 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 |
| 2015 | Around the World in 80 Days | Miss Singh | The Other Palace, London |
| 2016 | The Rover | Adriana | Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| 2016 | The Two Noble Kinsmen | Ceres | Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| 2016 | Seven Acts of Mercy | Donna | Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| 2017 | The Earthworks / Myth | Clare / Laura | Mischief Festival |
| 2017 | 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 |
| 2024 | Expendable | Yasmin | Royal Court Theatre, London |