Saira Choudhry (born July 1982) is a British actress. She is best known for portraying Saira in Life, Naila in Coronation Street, Anita Roy in Hollyoaks, Tegan in Paul Abbott's No Offence, and Nisha Chandra in Waterloo Road.
Early life Saira Choudhry was born in Cheetham Hill, an inner-city area and electoral ward of Manchester, England. She was born to an Irish mother and an Indian father, the latter of whom died when Choudhry was ten years old.
Career Choudhry first came to prominence in 2008, when she joined the cast of Hollyoaks as Anita Roy, a part she played for 198 episodes, leaving the series in 2011.
After appearing in shows such as Coronation Street and Doctors, Choudhry starred as PC Tegan Thompson in Channel 4's comedy drama series No Offence from 2015 to 2018. On playing Tegan, Choudhry told the Manchester Evening News: "[Tegan]'s braver than me. She’s completely different to any character I’ve been known for before [...] It was nice to play such a strong female character and I think the way Paul has written her and the other women in the show is amazing. Women and men love to see that."
In 2020, Choudhry appeared as Saira Malik in the BBC drama series Life.
In 2022, Choudhry appeared as Alice in one episode of BBC comedy Peacock, alongside Allan Mustafa. Later in 2022, Choudhry starred as Nancy in the CBBC series Dodger, a reimagining of the Dickens’ character's life before Oliver Twist.
In February 2024, it was announced that Choudhry had been cast as maths teacher Nisha Chandra in Waterloo Road.
Personal life Choudhry's mother, Fae, is a no-smoking advisor. In 2010, Choudhry helped to launch that year's No Smoking drive.
In 2014, Choudhry set up her own drama school, TV Talent.
In December 2022, Choudhry announced her engagement to Marcus Jackson. In August 2024, Choudhry and Jackson married.
Filmography Television Year Title RoleNotes 2008–2011 Hollyoaks Anita Roy 198 episodes 2012 Crime Stories Molly 1 episodeCredited as Saira Choudry 2013, 2015, 2017–2019 Coronation Street Naila Badal 7 episodes 2014 Doctors Farah Episode: "The Girl in the Photograph" 2014 The Driver Tasha 1 episode 2015 Fungus the Bogeyman Carly Series 1 Episodes 1 & 2 2015–2018 No Offence PC Tegan Thompson 21 episodes 2017Porridge Joanne 1 episode Cold Feet Vedika Jawad Series 7 Episodes 1 & 72020 Life Saira Malik 6 episodes2021 McDonald & Dodds Alliyah Episode: "The War of the Rose" 2022 Peacock Alice 1 episode Dodger Nancy 4 episodes, 1 episode uncredited 2024–present Waterloo Road Nisha Chandra 2026 The Chelsea Detective Clare Curtis 1 episode
References
External links