# Laila Zaidi
**Laila Zaidi** (born 1993) is a British actress known for playing Cyd in the tenth series of the ITV sitcom *[Benidorm](https://www.edgepedia.org/benidorm-british-tv-series)* (2018) and the teacher Asma Farooqi in the fifth series of the [Channel 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/channel-4) comedy-drama *Ackley Bridge* (2022).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9012295/) Her other screen credits include the BBC mini-series *Mood* (2022) and the Brazilian series *Amigo de Aluguel* (2018).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9012295/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1993, King's Lynn, Norfolk, England; grew up in Washington, Tyne and Wear[2](https://www.washingtonhistorysociety.co.uk/community/washington-history-society-12965/laila-zaidi-born-1993/) |
| Heritage | Pakistani father from Karachi and an English-Welsh mother[2](https://www.washingtonhistorysociety.co.uk/community/washington-history-society-12965/laila-zaidi-born-1993/) |
| Training | Newcastle High School for Girls; graduated in 2016[2](https://www.washingtonhistorysociety.co.uk/community/washington-history-society-12965/laila-zaidi-born-1993/) |
| Breakthrough TV role | Cyd in *Benidorm*, series 10, 5 episodes (2018)[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/352175/laila-zaidi) |
| Main cast role | Asma Farooqi in *Ackley Bridge* series 5, 10 episodes (2022)[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/352175/laila-zaidi) |
| Later TV work | Zara in *Mood* (2022); Maria Jaziri in *[Doctors](https://www.edgepedia.org/doctors-2000-tv-series)* (2024)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9012295/) • [4](https://www.bloomfieldswelch.com/laila-zaidi) |
| Stage work | Maria in *West Side Story* at Kilworth House; lead role of Frankie in the UK tour of *Frankie Goes to Bollywood*[4](https://www.bloomfieldswelch.com/laila-zaidi) |
## Early life and training
Zaidi, a native of [King's Lynn](https://www.edgepedia.org/kings-lynn) in Norfolk, is the child of a Karachi-born Pakistani father and a mother of English and Welsh descent, and she was raised in [Washington, Tyne and Wear](https://www.edgepedia.org/washington-tyne-and-wear).[2](https://www.washingtonhistorysociety.co.uk/community/washington-history-society-12965/laila-zaidi-born-1993/) In a 2022 interview she described herself as being of Pakistani, English, and Welsh heritage, and spoke about how mixed-heritage actors are treated in casting.[5](https://mixedmessages.substack.com/p/laila-zaidi-this-is-who-i-am-and) She attended Newcastle High School for Girls.[2](https://www.washingtonhistorysociety.co.uk/community/washington-history-society-12965/laila-zaidi-born-1993/) She describes herself as a Geordie, although she says she does not sound like one.[6](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-laila-zaidi-who-plays-asma-farooqi)
## Television
Zaidi's screen credits center on British television comedy and drama. In 2018 she appeared in five episodes of *Benidorm* as Cyd, in the show's tenth series.[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/352175/laila-zaidi) The same year she played Hannah in one episode of the series *Amigo de Aluguel*.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9012295/)
**Ackley Bridge.** In 2022 Zaidi joined the cast of the Channel 4 school-set comedy drama *Ackley Bridge* as Asma Farooqi, appearing in ten episodes of the fifth series.[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/352175/laila-zaidi) In a Channel 4 press interview she explained that Asma is a former law professional who left London for Yorkshire after a breakdown brought on by pressure from family, friends, and work, and who hides an alcohol problem while taking a keen interest in a student, Fizza.[6](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-laila-zaidi-who-plays-asma-farooqi) She prepared for the role in a two-hour conversation with the show's writer, in which they discussed avoiding the common on-screen extremes of portraying Muslim women as either victims or uncomplicated strong figures; Asma, raised in a household with parents who were not practicing Muslims, finds her own way to her faith.[6](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-laila-zaidi-who-plays-asma-farooqi) Director Ashley Walters advised her on playing Asma's drinking scenes, telling her that a character hiding her drinking tries to act as if she is fine rather than appearing openly drunk.[6](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-laila-zaidi-who-plays-asma-farooqi)
In 2022 she played Zara in one episode of the BBC mini-series *Mood*.[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/352175/laila-zaidi) Her agent lists *Mood* among her television credits alongside a 2024 appearance as Maria Jaziri in the BBC soap opera *Doctors*.[4](https://www.bloomfieldswelch.com/laila-zaidi)
## Stage
Zaidi's stage work spans musicals, plays, and a folk opera. Her agent's profile credits her as Maria in *West Side Story* at Kilworth House, in *The Boy Friend* at the Menier Chocolate Factory, in *The Selfish Giant* in the West End, and in *Invisible* at the Bush Theatre.[4](https://www.bloomfieldswelch.com/laila-zaidi) She later took the lead role of Frankie on the Rifco UK tour of *Frankie Goes to Bollywood*.[4](https://www.bloomfieldswelch.com/laila-zaidi)
## References
1. [Laila Zaidi, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9012295/)
2. [Laila Zaidi born 1993, Washington History Society](https://www.washingtonhistorysociety.co.uk/community/washington-history-society-12965/laila-zaidi-born-1993/)
3. [Laila Zaidi, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/352175/laila-zaidi)
4. [Laila Zaidi, Bloomfields Welch Management](https://www.bloomfieldswelch.com/laila-zaidi)
5. [Laila Zaidi: "This is who I am and I don't have to prove that to you", Mixed Messages (25 July 2022)](https://mixedmessages.substack.com/p/laila-zaidi-this-is-who-i-am-and)
6. [Interview with Laila Zaidi (who plays Asma Farooqi), Channel 4 Press (5 July 2022)](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-laila-zaidi-who-plays-asma-farooqi)
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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 Wh to Z*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 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