Anjali Jay (born 9 August 1975) is a British actress, writer and dancer. She trained as a dancer (Bharatanatyam and Contemporary) and has performed since the age of 7. Jay has had an extensive career in theatre, including working with the Royal Shakespeare company and in movies such as '' Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb'', ''

Blind Dating ''Blind Dating'' (also known as ''Blind Guy Driving'') is a 2006 American romantic comedy film directed by James Keach and starring Chris Pine, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Anjali Jay, Jane Seymour, and Jayma Mays. The film was produced by David Sha ...

'', and ''

The Age of Adaline ''The Age of Adaline'' is a 2015 American romantic fantasy film directed by Lee Toland Krieger and written by J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador Paskowitz. The film stars Blake Lively as Adaline, with Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, Kathy Baker, ...

''. She played Djaq in the BBC television series ''

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary noble outlaw, heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature, theatre, and cinema. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions o ...

'' , and has had long-running roles in ''

Supergirl Supergirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original, current, and most well known Supergirl is Supergirl (Kara Zor-El), Kara Zor-El, the cousin of superhero Superman. Th ...

'' (CW) and ''

Salvation Salvation (from Latin: ''salvatio'', from ''salva'', 'safe, saved') is the state of being saved or protected from harm or a dire situation. In religion and theology, ''salvation'' generally refers to the deliverance of the soul from sin and its c ...

'' (CBS).

Personal life

Jay was born in

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

and grew up in

Bangalore Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...

. She attended Sophia High School until 1986. She graduated with a BA degree from Mount Carmel College in 1991. Jay is trained in

Bharatanatyam ''Bharatanatyam'' is a Indian classical dance form that came from Tamil Nadu, India. It is a classical dance form recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas of Hinduism and Jainism.< ...

and contemporary dance. She went to

Britain Britain most often refers to: * Great Britain, a large island comprising the countries of England, Scotland and Wales * The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a sovereign state in Europe comprising Great Britain and the north-eas ...

on a Charles Wallace Scholarship for her MA degree in Dance Theatre at the Laban Centre. After graduating, she performed a season with the Shobana Jaysingh Dance Company.

Career

Jay appeared opposite

Chris Pine Christopher Whitelaw Pine (born August 26, 1980) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' reboot film series (2009–2016) and Steve Trevor in the DC Extended Universe films ''Wonder Woman'' ...

in ''

''. Jay was praised by Jack G. Shaheen for her "heroic" portrayal of an Arab Muslim woman, Djaq, in the '' Robin Hood TV series''.

Acting credits

Film

Television

Radio

* '' The Making of a Marchioness'' (2007) as Hester * ''Goan Flame'' (2000)

Theatre

* ''

Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...

'' (2006; UK tour) as Juliet * ''The Jungle Book'' (2004–05; UK tour) as Bagheera/ Dulia * ''

Anne of Green Gables ''Anne of Green Gables'' is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-20th century. Set in the late 19th century, t ...

'' (2004; Lilian Bayliss Theatre) as Katie Maurice * ''

Midnight's Children ''Midnight's Children'' is the second novel by Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie, published by Jonathan Cape with cover design by Bill Botten, about India's transition from British colonial rule to independence and partition. It is a pos ...

'' (2003;

Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs over 1,000 staff and opens around 20 productions a year. The RSC plays regularly in London, Stratf ...

) as Jamila. * ''Tales of the Arabian Nights'' (2000; UK tour) * ''Border Crossings production of Mappa Mundi'' (2000; Courtyard Theatre, Hereford) * ''

The Maids ''The Maids'' ( ) is a 1947 play by the French dramatist Jean Genet. It was first performed at the Théâtre de l'Athénée in Paris in a production that opened on 17 April 1947, which Louis Jouvet directed. The play has been revived in Fr ...

'' * ''Dance Like A Man'' as Latah * ''Vesuvius'' (1997; The Nehru Centre of the High Commission of India, London)

References

External links

*
Profile
Living people 1975 births Actresses from Bengaluru Actresses from London Indian emigrants to the United Kingdom British female dancers British film actresses British radio actresses British stage actresses British television actresses British expatriates in Canada Royal Shakespeare Company members British Shakespearean actresses Mount Carmel College, Bangalore alumni Alumni of Trinity College of Music 21st-century British actresses {{UK-tv-actor-1970s-stub