Leyla Harding
| Leyla Harding | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Emmerdale character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Roxy Shahidi | ||||||
| Duration | 2008–2011, 2013– | ||||||
| First appearance | 11 August 2008 | ||||||
| Introduced by |
Anita Turner (2008) Kate Oates (2013) |
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| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||
| Profile | |||||||
| Occupation | Packer Shop Assistant Shopkeeper Businesswoman Party Planner |
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| Home | Tug Ghyll | ||||||
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| Mother | Yvonne Harding |
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| Sisters | Alicia Gallagher |
| Sons | Jacob Metcalfe |
Leyla Harding is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, Emmerdale, played by Roxy Shahidi. She made her first on-screen appearance on 11 August 2008 and was introduced by series producer, Anita Turner. The character departed on 5 August 2011. Shahidi returned to Emmerdale for two episodes on 25 December 2013. She returned full-time in January 2014.
In July 2008, the Prestwich Advertiser reported that actress Roxy Shahidi had joined the cast of Emmerdale as Leyla Harding. Shahidi signed an initial six-month contract. She said of her casting: "I’ve been filming for two weeks now and it’s great. [...] I’ve done a lot of theatre but not much TV work up to now so it’s great for me to work on such a popular and well established show. It’s a dream come true in fact." Shahidi later said that she was "so excited", commenting: "This is a brilliant opportunity for me as I've done lots of theatre but not much TV. Everyone at Emmerdale has been so warm and welcoming. It's such a well-established show and I can't wait to see what Leyla gets up to."Emmerdale series producer Anita Turner added, "Rokhsaneh is a terrific actress and an exciting new addition to the cast. Leyla's going to have some fun stirring up the factory."
Leyla is described as "streetwise" and "savvy". Shahidi described her as "very down to earth", "very lovable" and "really ballsy". Leyla was initially a new worker at Eric Pollard's (Chris Chittell) factory and it was said that she would immediately get on the right side of him. Leyla is reluctant to talk about her past, which sparks speculation about why she has moved to the village.The Sun described her as a "streetwise minx".Channel Five's soap opera reporting website Holy Soap describe Leyla as a "naive, honest, hard worker who can sometimes be a bit too trusting of people".What's on TV deemed her an "attractive woman". Shahidi told the Daily Mirror that she and Leyla are "quite similar in some ways" saying "We're both pretty ditsy and we have the same sense of fun. Leyla says things without thinking, and I can do that too." She added that their lives and relationships are very different because she and Leyla are "worlds apart".
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