# David Ajala
**David Ajala** (born 1986) is an English actor from Hackney, London, best known for playing [Cleveland](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland) "Book" Booker on the science fiction series *Star Trek: Discovery* and, since 2025, Detective Theo Walker on NBC's *Law & Order*. His film work includes *The Dark Knight*, *Fast & Furious 6*, and *Jupiter Ascending*, and he began his career on stage with the [Royal Shakespeare Company](https://www.edgepedia.org/royal-shakespeare-company) in 2008.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2916966/bio/) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1986, Hackney, London, England[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2916966/bio/) |
| Training | Anna Scher Theatre School; joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2008[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview) |
| Signature role | Cleveland "Book" Booker on *Star Trek: Discovery*, introduced in season 3 (2020) and continuing through the fifth and final season[3](https://www.startrek.com/news/discovery-david-ajala-humanity-motivation-of-cleveland-booker) |
| Other television | Captain Roy Eris in *Nightflyers* (Syfy), Manchester Black in *Supergirl* (The CW), series regular roles in *Black Box* (ABC) and *Falling Water* (USA)[4](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/star-trek-discovery/talent/?view=david-ajala) |
| Films | *Kidulthood*, *Adulthood*, *Brotherhood*, *The Dark Knight*, *Fast & Furious 6*, *Jupiter Ascending*, *Starred Up*, *The Woman in Cabin 10*[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview) • [5](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/2038382-the-woman-in-cabin-10-guy-pearce-david-ajala-interview) |
| Current role | Detective Theo Walker, series regular on *Law & Order* season 25, debuting in the November 13, 2025 episode "Guardian"[6](https://www.thewrap.com/law-and-order-cast-david-ajala-series-regular-season-25/) |
| Personal life | Lives in Essex with his wife and two children[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview) |
## Early life and training
Ajala was born in Hackney, London, in 1986.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2916966/bio/) His entry into acting came through a recommendation from his secondary school maths teacher, who suggested the 14-year-old channel his energy into an acting class; Ajala then joined the after-school Anna Scher Theatre, where the improvisation-based classes gave him what he has described as the acting bug.[7](https://www.privatewhitevc.com/blogs/journal/on_the_road_with_david_ajala) He trained at the Anna Scher Theatre School and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2008.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview)
**Stage work.** He began his career performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Courtyard Theatre in [Stratford-upon-Avon](https://www.edgepedia.org/stratford-upon-avon), and went on to perform in productions including *The Witness*, *Hamlet*, and *A Midsummer Night's Dream* at the National Theatre, the [Royal Court Theatre](https://www.edgepedia.org/royal-court-theatre), and the Almeida Theatre.[4](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/star-trek-discovery/talent/?view=david-ajala) He later played NFL legend [Jim Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/jim-brown) in *One Night in Miami* and appeared in the West End with Ewan McGregor in *My Master Builder* in 2025.[8](https://therake.com/default/stories/rake-in-progress-david-ajala) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview)
## Screen career
**Film.** His big-screen breakthrough came in the teen drama *Kidulthood* in 2006, followed by appearances in *The Dark Knight*, *Fast & Furious 6*, and *Jupiter Ascending*.[8](https://therake.com/default/stories/rake-in-progress-david-ajala) Other film credits include *[Starred Up](https://www.edgepedia.org/starred-up)*, *Kill Command*, *One Day*, *Payback Season*, *Brotherhood*, and *Italian Studies*.[4](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/star-trek-discovery/talent/?view=david-ajala) • [9](https://tv.apple.com/no/person/david-ajala/umc.cpc.62hnzsavopjk0awlfu7z3gafj) In *Jupiter Ascending* he played a villain opposite [Channing Tatum](https://www.edgepedia.org/channing-tatum) and [Mila Kunis](https://www.edgepedia.org/mila-kunis), a role that involved an arduous make-up process and a Nigerian accent.[10](https://younghollywood.com/videos/yhstudio/yhstudio/jupiter-ascending-star-david-ajala-on-black-box-deal-breakers.html)
**Television.** Ajala's early television work ranged from playing a rapper in *Trexx and Flipside* to guest roles in *Law & Order: UK*, *Death in Paradise*, *Silent Witness*, and *Doctor Who*.[4](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/star-trek-discovery/talent/?view=david-ajala) He played a lead in ABC's *Black Box* opposite [Kelly Reilly](https://www.edgepedia.org/kelly-reilly) and starred in USA's *Falling Water*.[4](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/star-trek-discovery/talent/?view=david-ajala) In Syfy's *Nightflyers*, the 2018 television adaptation of George R.R. Martin's 1980 novella, he played Captain Roy Eris, a character who appears to his crew only as a hologram, a constraint Ajala described as a challenge because it denied his character any physical contact with objects or people.[4](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/star-trek-discovery/talent/?view=david-ajala) • [11](https://starrymag.com/david-ajala-supergirl/) He also recurred as the DC character [Manchester Black](https://www.edgepedia.org/manchester-black) on [The CW](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-cw)'s *Supergirl*.[4](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/star-trek-discovery/talent/?view=david-ajala) In 2025 he appeared in *Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue* on BBC One and *The Woman in Cabin 10* on Netflix, a mystery thriller filmed at sea alongside Keira Knightley and Guy Pearce.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview) • [5](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/2038382-the-woman-in-cabin-10-guy-pearce-david-ajala-interview)
## Star Trek: Discovery
Ajala joined *Star Trek: Discovery* in its third season as Cleveland "Book" Booker, a courier whom [Michael Burnham](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-burnham) ([Sonequa Martin-Green](https://www.edgepedia.org/sonequa-martin-green)) meets after she crash-lands in the 32nd century.[12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss2dhRSMyi8) He has said the character's arc, an underdog ostracized by his family who had to find a purpose bigger than himself, was what drew him to the role.[13](https://rain-mag.com/in-conversation-with-actor-david-ajala/)
**The season 4 arc.** In the season 4 storyline, Book's home planet Kwejian is destroyed, and his grief sends him down a path of revenge as he teams up with Ruon Tarka to try to destroy the Dark Matter Anomaly, putting him at odds with Burnham.[3](https://www.startrek.com/news/discovery-david-ajala-humanity-motivation-of-cleveland-booker) Ajala reflected that the character "is not a perfect superhero; his humanity of being is beautifully imperfect," adding that Book "was able to be a man of courage because he acknowledged his brokenness but didn't allow it to define him."[3](https://www.startrek.com/news/discovery-david-ajala-humanity-motivation-of-cleveland-booker) He described his working relationship with Martin-Green as one in which the two characters "bring out the best in each other," calling them warriors who eventually become lovers.[3](https://www.startrek.com/news/discovery-david-ajala-humanity-motivation-of-cleveland-booker)
**Return and finale.** As punishment for his rogue actions in season 4, the [Federation](https://www.edgepedia.org/federation) assigned Book community service aiding refugees displaced by the anomaly, a storyline that carried into the fifth and final season, in which Burnham and Book rekindled their romance.[3](https://www.startrek.com/news/discovery-david-ajala-humanity-motivation-of-cleveland-booker) • [14](https://robschmidtautobody.com/userfiles/file/39888181198.pdf) Ajala has described Book's season 5 arc as one of embracing second chances and the burden of legacy.[15](https://www.startrek.com/news/warp-five-discovery-david-ajala-second-chances-burden-of-legacy)
## Law & Order and recent work
In September 2025, Ajala was announced as a series regular for the 25th season of NBC's *Law & Order*, joining as a detective working alongside Reid Scott's Detective Vincent Riley after [Mehcad Brooks](https://www.edgepedia.org/mehcad-brooks)'s departure from the show.[6](https://www.thewrap.com/law-and-order-cast-david-ajala-series-regular-season-25/) His character, Detective Theo Walker, debuted in the November 13, 2025 episode "Guardian", investigating the murder of a high school sports star; Ajala described Walker as someone who "lives in the areas of gray," with an adaptable, morally flexible approach to investigations.[16](https://www.tvinsider.com/1227596/law-order-theo-walker-riley-partner-david-ajala-interview/) As with his New York-based counterparts, the role is played without Ajala's native English accent.[17](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/law-and-order-debuting-david-ajala-replace-mehcad-brooks--star-trek-vet-solid-fit)
**Producing.** Ajala runs a production company, VP & Chairman, which joined the 2026 London revival of Kalungi Ssebandeke's play *Assata Taught Me* at Riverside Studios as associate producer, alongside Clarisse Makundul and Sse So Productions.[18](https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/david-ajala-vp-chairman-production-154743283.html)
## Personal life
Ajala lives in Essex with his wife and two children; IMDb lists his sons as Elijah and Toby.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2916966/bio/) In interviews he has credited his parents with instilling a work ethic, saying their main message was that they wanted him to be happy and never shy away from working hard.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview) His advice to people entering the industry emphasizes persistence: "You only need one yes."[7](https://www.privatewhitevc.com/blogs/journal/on_the_road_with_david_ajala)
## References
1. [David Ajala – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2916966/bio/)
2. [David Ajala: 'Ageing doesn't scare me. It's a gift', The Guardian (18 October 2025)](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/18/david-ajala-actor-interview)
3. [David Ajala on the Humanity and Motivation of Cleveland 'Book' Booker, StarTrek.com (10 January 2023)](https://www.startrek.com/news/discovery-david-ajala-humanity-motivation-of-cleveland-booker)
4. [Star Trek: Discovery Talent – David Ajala, Paramount Press Express (October 2020)](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/star-trek-discovery/talent/?view=david-ajala)
5. [Guy Pearce & David Ajala Tease Mystery in Netflix Movie The Woman in Cabin 10, ComingSoon (9 October 2025)](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/2038382-the-woman-in-cabin-10-guy-pearce-david-ajala-interview)
6. ['Law & Order' Sets David Ajala as Series Regular for Season 25, TheWrap (24 September 2025)](https://www.thewrap.com/law-and-order-cast-david-ajala-series-regular-season-25/)
7. [On The Road With David Ajala, Private White V.C.](https://www.privatewhitevc.com/blogs/journal/on_the_road_with_david_ajala)
8. [Rake-in-Progress: David Ajala, The Rake (July 2025)](https://therake.com/default/stories/rake-in-progress-david-ajala)
9. [David Ajala Films and Shows, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/no/person/david-ajala/umc.cpc.62hnzsavopjk0awlfu7z3gafj)
10. ['Jupiter Ascending' Star David Ajala on "Black Box" & Deal Breakers, Young Hollywood](https://younghollywood.com/videos/yhstudio/yhstudio/jupiter-ascending-star-david-ajala-on-black-box-deal-breakers.html)
11. [David Ajala – Supergirl, StarryMag](https://starrymag.com/david-ajala-supergirl/)
12. [David Ajala talks about his new role Cleveland Booker on Star Trek: Discovery, theblerdgurl (YouTube, 15 October 2020)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss2dhRSMyi8)
13. [Exclusive Interview: Actor David Ajala On His Leading Role In 'Star Trek Discovery', RAIN Magazine](https://rain-mag.com/in-conversation-with-actor-david-ajala/)
14. [Star Trek 5 explained, season 5 finale summary](https://robschmidtautobody.com/userfiles/file/39888181198.pdf)
15. [WARP FIVE: David Ajala on Embracing Second Chances and the Heavy Burden of Legacy, StarTrek.com](https://www.startrek.com/news/warp-five-discovery-david-ajala-second-chances-burden-of-legacy)
16. ['Law & Order': David Ajala Introduces Detective Theo Walker, Partnership With Riley, TV Insider (12 November 2025)](https://www.tvinsider.com/1227596/law-order-theo-walker-riley-partner-david-ajala-interview/)
17. [Law And Order Is Finally On The Verge Of Debuting David Ajala To Replace Mehcad Brooks, CinemaBlend (31 October 2025)](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/law-and-order-debuting-david-ajala-replace-mehcad-brooks--star-trek-vet-solid-fit)
18. [David Ajala's VP & Chairman Production Company Boards 'Assata Taught Me' Stage Revival As Associate Producer, Deadline via Yahoo News (9 April 2026)](https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/david-ajala-vp-chairman-production-154743283.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 2000s onward › Surnames A to Ba*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 20, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 20, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license