Kaya Scodelario

Last updated on the 7 May 2025 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 13 March 1992, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England. 

Kaya Scodelario first gained recognition for her role as Effy Stonem in the British television series “Skins.” This groundbreaking show explored the tumultuous lives of teenagers dealing with love, friendship, and personal struggles. As Effy Stonem, Scodelario skillfully portrayed a character grappling with inner demons while captivating audiences with her enigmatic presence. The raw emotions depicted in “Skins” allowed Scodelario to showcase her range as an actress and laid the foundation for future roles.

Emily Brontë’s timeless novel, “Wuthering Heights,” also left a mark on Scodelario’s career. In Andrea Arnold’s film adaptation of this classic tale of passionate love set against the haunting Yorkshire moors, she embodied Catherine Earnshaw, a complex character torn between societal expectations and wild desires.

In Channel 4’s “Southcliffe” Scodelario played Anna Salter in a small town that is shattered by a series of tragic shootings. The story follows the aftermath from multiple perspectives, delving into the lives of both victims and survivors as they struggle to make sense of the devastating events and confront their own demons in a community forever changed.

In the BBC’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit “The Pale Horse” (2020), Scodelario plays Hermia Easterbrook, a woman who naively believes their marriage is a simple and loving one.

Kaya Scodelario was married to American actor Benjamin Walker. They began dating in 2014 after meeting during the filming of “The King’s Daughter”, became engaged in December of the same year, and married in December 2015. They adopted the joint surname Scodelario-Davis.

Kaya Scodelario and Benjamin Walker welcomed two children: a son born in November 2016, with Scodelario’s “Skins” colleague Daniel Kaluuya serving as his godfather and a daughter who arrived in January 2022. Their time as a married couple concluded in February 2024, when they publicly announced their separation, emphasising that it was a mutual decision and that their priority remained co-parenting their children with love and friendship.

Kaya Scodelario has mentioned that she speaks Portuguese with her Brazilian mother. She has also spoken about experiencing bullying during her childhood and finding solace in acting. She has publicly shared that she was sexually assaulted at the age of 12, hoping that by speaking out, she can help others feel less shame.

She is reportedly close friends with her “Skins” co-stars Kathryn Prescott, Megan Prescott, Klariza Clayton and Lily Loveless, with Megan, Lily, and Klariza acting as bridesmaids at her wedding.

Suggested viewing

The Gentlemen (2024)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.0

An aristocratic heir inherits a vast estate, unaware it secretly houses a thriving marijuana operation. Entangled in a world of criminals, he attempts to sell the business to a wealthy outsider. However, hidden motives, shifting alliances and unexpected violence threaten the entire deal, leaving the fate of the estate and the drug empire hanging in the balance.

Top cast: Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones, Michael Vu, Stephane Fichet, Harry Goodwins, Logan Dean, Ray Winstone, Nigel Havers.

Related to

Wuthering Heights (2011)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.0

In the 2011 adaptation of “Wuthering Heights,” a passionate and stormy love story unfolds on the desolate Yorkshire moors. Heathcliff, an orphan taken in by the Earnshaw family, becomes consumed by his intense connection with Catherine Earnshaw as their relationship is tested by societies constraints and personal demons.

Top cast: Kaya Scodelario, James Howson, Solomon Glave, Shannon Beer, Steve Evets, Oliver Milburn, Paul Hilton, Simone Jackson.

Skins (2007)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.2

In “Skins,” a group of British teenagers face the complexities of adolescence, exploring themes of friendship, love, identity and rebellion. Through parties, relationships and personal struggles, they confront societies expectations while delving into their own desires and vulnerabilities. The series portrays the raw and often chaotic journey to self-discovery during these formative years.

Top cast: Nicholas Hoult, Joe Dempsie, Mike Bailey, Hannah Murray, April Pearson, Dev Patel, Larissa Wilson, Mitch Hewer, Kaya Scodelario, Jack O’Connell, Luke Pasqualino, Lily Loveless, Daniel Kaluuya.

Southcliffe (2013)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.9

In “Southcliffe”, a small town is shattered by a series of tragic shootings. The story follows the aftermath from multiple perspectives, examining the lives of both victims and survivors as they struggle to make sense of the devastating events and confront their own demons in a community forever changed.

Top cast: Rory Kinnear, Sean Harris, Shirley Henderson, Eddie Marsan, Anatol Yusef, Joe Dempsie, Kaya Scodelario, Nichola Burley.

The Pale Horse (2020)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.1

In “The Pale Horse”, a mysterious list of names leads a young woman to investigate a series of unexplained deaths. As she digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets and encounters supernatural forces that challenge her perception of reality. With time running out, she must unravel the truth before becoming the next victim.

Top cast: Rufus Sewell, Kaya Scodelario, Bertie Carvel, Georgina Campbell, Sean Pertwee, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Poppy Gilbert, Madeleine Bowyer, Ellen Robertson.

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)