If you’ve watched any of the recent genre-defining TV shows like Supergirl or Star Trek: Discovery, you’ve likely seen David Ajala. The English actor, born in Hackney, London in 1986, has steadily built a career that spans British indie films and major US sci‑fi franchises.
Born: 21 May 1986 (age 38) · Birthplace: Hackney, London, England · Nationality: English · Occupation: Actor · Known for: Supergirl, Star Trek: Discovery · Years active: 2008–present
Quick snapshot
- Born 21 May 1986 in Hackney, London (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- Played Manchester Black in Supergirl (2018‑2019) (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- Portrayed Cleveland Booker in Star Trek: Discovery (2020‑2024) (The Movie Database, community‑curated film database)
- Of Nigerian descent (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- Marital status – not publicly confirmed
- Net worth – not disclosed
- Whether he has children – no public records
- 2008 – Began acting (uncredited role in The Dark Knight) (IMDb, industry film database)
- 2013 – Fast & Furious 6 (Rotten Tomatoes, film review aggregator)
- 2020–2024 – Main cast of Star Trek: Discovery (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- 2024 – Announced for Law & Order: Organized Crime (IMDb, industry film database)
- Joining Law & Order: Organized Crime in the 2024‑25 season (All American Speakers, speaker bureau bio)
- Potential return to stage after Royal Shakespeare Company work (All American Speakers, speaker bureau bio)
Six key facts about David Ajala, drawn from verified sources:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 21 May 1986 |
| Birthplace | Hackney, London, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 2008–present |
| Known For | Supergirl, Star Trek: Discovery |
The table above distills the core biographical data from Wikipedia and industry databases.
What is David Ajala famous for?
Early life and background
David Ajala was born on 21 May 1986 in Hackney, London to Nigerian parents. He grew up in the British capital and developed an interest in acting early, later training and performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford‑upon‑Avon (All American Speakers, speaker bureau bio).
Breakthrough roles
Ajala’s first on‑screen credit was an uncredited appearance in The Dark Knight (2008) (IMDb, industry film database). He followed that with supporting roles in British indie films such as Kidulthood, Adulthood, and Brotherhood, as well as the critically acclaimed prison drama Starred Up (2013) (Rotten Tomatoes, film review aggregator). In the same year he appeared in the blockbuster Fast & Furious 6 and later in Jupiter Ascending (2015) (Rotten Tomatoes).
Notable television appearances
Ajala’s US television breakthrough came with a lead role in the USA Network series Falling Water for two seasons (All American Speakers). He also starred in Syfy’s Nightflyers, based on a George R.R. Martin novel, as Captain Roy Eris (Wikipedia). However, he is best known for playing Manchester Black on Supergirl (2018‑2019) and Cleveland “Book” Booker on Star Trek: Discovery (2020‑2024). His upcoming role in Law & Order: Organized Crime is set to bring him back to network television.
Ajala has successfully straddled British indie cinema and American genre television. His casting in Star Trek: Discovery made him a recognizable face for sci‑fi fans, while his past work with the Royal Shakespeare Company demonstrates a theatrical foundation that few actors in his peer group can claim.
The implication: His career path deliberately mixes stage training with mainstream TV, a pattern that broadens his range rather than narrowing it.
Is David Ajala married?
Personal life
David Ajala keeps his personal life private. He is reportedly in a relationship with Terri Martin, though neither party has made a public confirmation. No official records of marriage or children are available.
Relationship with Terri Martin
Rumors about Ajala and Martin surfaced on social media and gossip platforms, but no credible source — including Wikipedia, IMDb, or mainstream entertainment outlets — has verified the relationship. Ajala has not commented publicly on his romantic life.
Because Ajala shares very little about his private life, any “confirmed” relationship status is speculative. Readers should treat reports with caution until a primary source (such as a statement from the actor or a reputable interview) emerges.
The catch: Without a public statement, the relationship remains unverified gossip, not journalism.
What is David Ajala’s ethnicity?
Family background
According to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia), David Ajala was born in Hackney, London to Nigerian parents. He is of Nigerian descent.
Heritage
Ajala’s Nigerian heritage has occasionally been highlighted in media profiles, but he has not specified his ancestral region or tribe within Nigeria. His accent and upbringing are evidently London‑English.
How do you pronounce David Ajala?
Pronunciation guide
The correct pronunciation of David Ajala is /dɑːˈviːd əˈdʒɑːlə/. The first name is standard English, and the last name rhymes with “Dahlia” — a‑JAH‑la.
Common mispronunciations
Many English speakers mistakenly stress the first syllable (“AJ‑uh‑la”) or soften the “j” sound. The “j” in Ajala is pronounced like the “dg” in “judge,” and the final “a” is a schwa or an open “ah” sound.
Is David Ajala in Star Trek?
Role as Cleveland Booker
Yes — David Ajala played Cleveland “Book” Booker in Star Trek: Discovery from season 3 through the series finale in 2024. The Movie Database (community‑curated film database) lists his character as a courier who becomes a close ally of the USS Discovery crew.
Connection to Saru and Discovery
Booker’s relationship with Saru (played by Doug Jones) evolves into a deep friendship. The distinctive walk of Saru — often asked about by fans — is due to prosthetic makeup and the character’s biology as a Kelpien, not the actor’s own gait. Ajala’s Book provides a grounding human (and sometimes non‑human) presence.
Other roles: Supergirl and Law & Order
- Manchester Black in Supergirl (2018‑2019) — a British anti‑hero from the comics (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
- Upcoming role in Law & Order: Organized Crime (2024‑) — Ajala will join the cast of the Dick Wolf franchise.
Ajala’s move from the canceled Star Trek: Discovery to a network procedural gives him a chance to reach a broader audience, but it also means leaving the expansive sci‑fi universe that made him a fan favorite.
Timeline
- 2008 – Began acting with an uncredited role in The Dark Knight (IMDb, industry film database)
- 2013 – Appeared in Fast & Furious 6 (Rotten Tomatoes, film review aggregator)
- 2015 – Role in Jupiter Ascending (Rotten Tomatoes, film review aggregator)
- 2018–2019 – Played Manchester Black in Supergirl (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- 2020–2024 – Portrayed Cleveland Booker in Star Trek: Discovery (The Movie Database, community‑curated film database)
- 2024 – Announced joining Law & Order: Organized Crime
Clarity Check
Confirmed facts
- Birth date: 21 May 1986 (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- Roles in Supergirl and Star Trek: Discovery (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- Nigerian heritage (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- Filmography includes Fast & Furious 6, Jupiter Ascending, Starred Up (Rotten Tomatoes, film review aggregator)
What’s unclear
- Marital status
- Children
- Net worth
- Precise Nigerian ancestry details
Quotes
David Ajala is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Manchester Black in The CW series Supergirl, and as Cleveland ‘Book’ Booker on the CBS All Access series Star Trek: Discovery.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David Ajala was born on May 21, 1988 in Hackney, London, England, UK. He is an actor, known for Jupiter Ascending, Fast & Furious 6 and The Dark Knight.
IMDb, industry film database
For David Ajala, the next chapter is a return to network television with Law & Order: Organized Crime. Whether this procedural broadens his audience the way Star Trek: Discovery did for sci‑fi fans is the question that will define his trajectory in the coming years. Ajala’s choice is clear: keep taking roles that challenge expectations, or risk being typecast as the charming outsider he’s played so well.
theguardian.com, ca.wikipedia.org, es.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, staytunedmag.com, brieftake.com, imdb.com
Frequently asked questions
Where was David Ajala born?
He was born in Hackney, London, England, UK.
When did David Ajala start acting?
His first credited appearance was an uncredited role in The Dark Knight (2008).
What movies has David Ajala been in?
Notable films include Fast & Furious 6 (2013), Starred Up (2013), Jupiter Ascending (2015), and Brotherhood (2016).
What is David Ajala’s net worth?
His net worth has not been publicly disclosed.
Does David Ajala have a brother?
No public information about siblings is available.
What is David Ajala’s height?
He is approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall.
How old is David Ajala?
He was born on 21 May 1986, making him 38 years old as of 2024.
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.