Kaya Scodelario

Birthday: 13 March 1992, Holloway, London, England, UK

Birth Name: Kaya Rose Humphrey

Height: 168 cm

Kaya Rose Scodelario was born in Haywards Heath, Sussex, England, to a Brazilian mother, Katia (Scodelario), and an English father, Roger Humphrey. Her surname comes from her mother's Italian grandfather. Thanks to her mother, Kaya grew up fluent in Brazilian Portuguese, as well as English. At the age of fourteen, she auditioned for Skins (2007), the debut series for new channel E4 that would become known for casting real teenagers like her, who had no professional acting experience, rather than experienced adult actors. She won the role of "Effy Stonem" and joined the show in January 2007. After an challenging debut in which she never spoke, Scodelario and Effy made quite an impression on viewers. At the forefront of many disasters, including stalkers, death, and sexual pressures, Effy became a fan favorite for her ability to resolve testing life situations while keeping her head above water. As the character and the role grew, Scodelario enjoyed depicting what she described as the realistic trials and challenges Effy faced with friendships, relationships, and adolescence. After two seasons of Skins (2007), the series endured an overhaul at the end of 2007. Feeling that most of the characters had run their course, the writers wrote out every character except Effy. This put significantly more pressure on Scodelario because it meant that she would be the most recognizable face for season three. As she waited for the new season of Skins (2007) to begin, she took advantage of her recent clout to seek out additional career opportunities. She joined the elite agency Models 1 and soon was featured as the cover model for SuperSuper Magazine. She also made her feature film debut with a role in the 2009 film Moon (2009), starring Sam Rockwell as an astronaut suffering from surreal encounters while on the moon. With a blossoming film career and her successful TV series to fall back on, Kaya Scodelario is certainly someone to watch. Hide

[on Skins (2007)] I felt there needed to be a show for teenagers that didn't make them feel judged. Show more [on Skins (2007)] I felt there needed to be a show for teenagers that didn't make them feel judged. 'Skins' never tried to preach. It allowed young people to make their own decisions about what to do and whether it was right or wrong. Young people really respond to that, and that's what sets 'Skins' apart. Hide

I don't think that I could ever play just a 'pretty girlfriend' or just a stereotypical female part Show more I don't think that I could ever play just a 'pretty girlfriend' or just a stereotypical female part that's just there to get her tits out - that just doesn't interest me at all, really. I just want to keep pushing myself with every role and keep pushing myself with every film. Hide

I like the idea of up-and-coming actors nowadays being a little different and not necessarily the dr Show more I like the idea of up-and-coming actors nowadays being a little different and not necessarily the drama-school stereotype, being a bit more edgy. Hide

The first school play I did was Oliver Twist, and I beat the boys to the part of Oliver. The hardest Show more The first school play I did was Oliver Twist, and I beat the boys to the part of Oliver. The hardest, scariest girl in the school came up to me and said, 'You're a good little actress, intcha?' And I was, like, 'Oh my God, she said something nice to me.' It felt incredible. As soon as I discovered drama, I had something to love that was mine. Hide

Growing up, I was obsessed with Arnold Schwarzenegger, which is why my dog is called Arnie. His film Show more Growing up, I was obsessed with Arnold Schwarzenegger, which is why my dog is called Arnie. His films were pure Hollywood to me and I've seen all of them more than 50 times. The Terminator (1984) is my favourite. I haven't met him - it would be too freaky, I think I'd faint, I love him too much. Hide

Kaya Scodelario's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (33)

The Kings Daughter

Wuthering Heights (2011)

Skins - Season 6

This Is Christmas

Clash of the Titans

Crawl [Audio: Russian]

Moon (2009)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Now Is Good

Senna - Season 1