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Lydia West
Lydia West
Lydia West
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Lydia Dorothy West (born 24 June 1993[1][2]) is a British actress. She is known for her roles in the BBC One series Years and Years and the Channel 4 series It's a Sin,[3] the latter of which earned her a BAFTA nomination.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

West is from London. Her maternal grandparents are Irish, and her father is from Montserrat.[4] Her mother is a nurse and her father works in charity. She has an older sister and an older brother.[5][6][7]

West trained in ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary dance as a teenager, but quit after a foot injury. After graduating from university with a degree in business, she worked as a personal assistant and trained part-time at Identity School of Acting.[8][9][10]

Career

[edit]

Post graduation from IDSA, West was cast as Bethany Bisme-Lyons in Russell T Davies' 2019 BBC One and HBO series Years and Years.[11][12] She starred in the 2021 Channel 4 series It's a Sin, also by Davies. She played Jill Baxter, who is loosely based on one of Davies' friends (Jill Nalder).[8][13] Davies called her character "the heart of the story", a view echoed by Jack King of I-D who described the character as the "de facto matriarch".[14][15] Her performance was described as a "standout" one by i.[16]

In 2022, West appeared as Monique Thompson in the Apple TV+ series Suspicion and Reilly Clayton in Mike Myers' Netflix comedy The Pentaverate. She has roles in the films Love Again and Coffee Wars,[8][17] as well as the series Inside Man and Gray.[18]

In 2024, West co-starred alongside Nicola Coughlan in the Channel 4 and Tubi series Big Mood, a "vivacious and rebellious portrayal of female friendship when infiltrated by the complexities of a serious mental illness."[19] In September 2025, Channel 4 announced that West had been made an executive producer for Big Mood's second season.[20]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2021 People You May Know Rachel Short film
2023 Love Again Lisa Scott
Coffee Wars Bridget

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Years and Years Bethany Bisme-Lyons All 6 episodes
2020 Dracula Lucy Westenra Episode 3: "The Dark Compass"
2021 It's a Sin Jill Baxter All 5 episodes
2022 Suspicion Monique Thompson 4 episodes
The Pentaverate Reilly Clayton All 6 episodes
Inside Man Beth Davenport 4 episodes
2023 Gray Sara Beckham 8 episodes
2024 Big Mood Eddie All 6 episodes
2025 He Had it Coming Elise Lead role & exec. producer; 8 episodes[21]

Audio

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2020 Doctor Who: The Sorcerer of Albion Vivien Big Finish: Donna Noble: Kidnapped![22]
The Wizard of Oz Dorothy Gale Audible[23]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2021 Monte-Carlo Television Festival Best Actress It's a Sin Won [24]
2022 BPG Awards Best Actress Nominated [25]
Breakthrough Award[a] Nominated
British Academy Television Awards Best Actress Nominated [26]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lydia West

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lydia West (born 24 June 1993) is a British and known for her roles in acclaimed television series such as Years and Years (2019) and (2021). Born in , , to parents of mixed heritage—her mother from a family with roots on the west coast of and her father from , a British Overseas Territory in the —West grew up in nearby Barnet in a close-knit household with two older siblings. Her mother worked as a district nurse, while her father worked in the charity sector, providing a "very normal" upbringing that emphasized normalcy amid her emerging interest in . From a young age, West trained as a dancer and pursued studies in music and drama at her dance school before attending a specializing in , which honed her skills and led to her professional entry into acting. West's screen debut came in 2019 with the role of Bethany Bisme-Lyons in Russell T Davies's dystopian family drama Years and Years on BBC One and HBO, marking her as a rising talent in British television. She gained widespread recognition in 2021 for portraying Jill Baxter, a devoted friend and activist in the LGBTQ+ community, in Davies's miniseries It's a Sin, which chronicles the impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1980s London and earned critical acclaim for its poignant storytelling. Subsequent notable roles include Lucy Westenra, one of Dracula's victims, in the 2020 BBC/Netflix adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel, and Reilly Clayton in the 2022 Netflix comedy miniseries The Pentaverate. More recently, she starred as Eddie in the 2024 Channel 4 series Big Mood, a comedy-drama exploring mental health and friendship, reprising the role in its second season (2025), and appeared as Lisa in Jim Strouse's 2023 feature film Love Again. As a producer, West has been involved in projects that amplify diverse voices, reflecting her commitment to authentic representation in media.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family

Lydia West was born Lydia Dorothy West on 24 June 1993 in , , . She grew up in Barnet, , as the youngest of three siblings in a "very normal household." Her mother worked as a district nurse, while her father is a community support worker. West's family heritage reflects her mixed background: her mother's family originated from the west coast of , and her father hails from , a British Overseas Territory in the known for its Emerald Isle-like landscape. From a young age, West developed a strong interest in the , particularly through , which she pursued intensively during her teenage years. However, in her late teens, she suffered a severe foot , breaking her , which significantly impacted her ability to engage in physically demanding activities and led her to pivot away from a professional career.

Training and pre-acting career

West began her formal training in the during her at a state school, where she developed foundational skills in performance. From a young age, she pursued intensive training at a specialized school that incorporated studies in music and drama, focusing on styles including , tap, , and . This early emphasis on shaped her initial aspirations in , though she later shifted paths after completing her schooling. Following , West enrolled at the , where she earned an in and information technology. The program provided her with practical skills in areas such as profit-and-loss and structuring, reflecting a deliberate move toward a more conventional career trajectory. Upon graduation, she entered the workforce in a non-entertainment sector, taking on roles including positions in office environments, which she later described as unfulfilling. Seeking a creative outlet amid her professional dissatisfaction, West enrolled part-time at the in , a professional training institution known for alumni such as and . There, she underwent rigorous drama and screen instruction, marking her structured entry into professional preparation. This training bridged her earlier performing arts foundation with her burgeoning interest in , setting the stage for her career transition.

Acting career

Breakthrough roles (2019–2021)

West made her professional acting debut in 2019, portraying Bethany Bisme-Lyons in the and miniseries Years and Years, created and directed by . In the series, her character is the daughter of a prominent politician, navigating family dynamics amid a dystopian near-future. The following year, West appeared in the and miniseries , adapted by and , where she played , a young woman who becomes entangled with the . Her role highlighted the character's vulnerability and sensuality in a modern reimagining of Bram Stoker's novel, marking her continued rise in high-profile television productions. West's breakout role came in 2021 as Jill Baxter in the Channel 4 miniseries It's a Sin, again written by Russell T. Davies, which chronicles the lives of a group of friends in 1980s London during the AIDS crisis. Jill, loosely based on Davies's real-life friend and activist Jill Nalder, serves as a steadfast ally to her gay housemates, embodying themes of unwavering friendship, advocacy, and support amid societal stigma and loss. West prepared for the part by meeting Nalder and drawing on the emotional weight of the era's activism, portraying Jill as a compassionate figure who rallies against discrimination. The series received widespread critical acclaim for its poignant depiction of the AIDS epidemic, with West's as Jill praised for capturing the character's fierce and emotional depth, contributing to the show's record-breaking viewership on Channel 4. It's a Sin significantly boosted West's visibility, inspiring her personal involvement in and AIDS , and highlighting the role's emphasis on community solidarity during crisis.

Later projects (2022–present)

Following her breakthrough in the early , Lydia West expanded her television presence with a series of diverse roles across genres, including , thriller, and drama. In 2022, she portrayed Reilly Clayton in the miniseries , a satirical created by , where she played a young operative entangled in a shadowy global organization. That same year, West appeared as Beth Davenport, an investigative journalist facing everyday harassment and moral dilemmas, in the thriller , written by and starring . She also took on the role of Monique in the Apple TV+ suspense series Suspicion, a of the Israeli drama , alongside . West continued building her profile in 2023 with film roles that showcased her range in lighter fare, including in the Coffee Wars, directed by Matthew Luongo, and Lisa Scott in the romantic drama Love Again, an adaptation of the German film starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and . On television, she starred as Sara Beckham in the thriller Gray, a Peacock/Stan/Netflix series led by as a rogue CIA agent, marking West's entry into high-stakes spy narratives. In 2024, West co-led the comedy-drama as Eddie, the ambitious best friend to Nicola Coughlan's , in a series exploring , friendship, and career pressures in one's 20s, created by Camilla Whitehill. The show's success prompted its renewal for a second series in 2025, with filming commencing that September; West will reprise her role and serve as an . Looking ahead, West is slated to appear as Elise in the Australian Stan original series He Had It Coming, a feminist murder mystery premiering on November 20, 2025, where she plays an awkward English scholarship student navigating alliances and secrets at an elite university. In recent interviews, West has reflected on her career , emphasizing a deliberate shift toward roles that highlight underrepresented voices and social issues, such as mental health in Big Mood and racial dynamics in everyday encounters as seen in Inside Man, stating her intent to "open the door for marginalised communities to tell stories they weren't able to before – including myself as a black woman." This focus on thematic depth has positioned her as a versatile force in British and international television, blending entertainment with advocacy for compassion and equity.

Filmography

Film

West made her feature film debut in 2023 with the romantic drama Love Again, directed by Jim Strouse, where she portrayed Lisa Scott, a colleague of the protagonist who provides cynical yet supportive advice amid romantic entanglements. That same year, she appeared in the comedy Coffee Wars, directed by Randall Miller, playing Bridget, a member of the eclectic staff at a struggling independent coffee shop navigating corporate competition.

Television

Lydia West made her television debut in the miniseries Years and Years (2019), where she portrayed Bethany Bisme-Lyons, the daughter of the lead family navigating a dystopian future, appearing in all 6 episodes. In 2020, she appeared in the / miniseries , playing , a modern reimagining of the classic character who becomes entangled with the count, in 1 episode. West's role as Jill Baxter in the Channel 4 miniseries (2021), a drama about the AIDS crisis in 1980s , spanned 5 episodes and earned her critical acclaim for depicting an ally to the affected community. She portrayed Monique Thompson, a suspect in a high-profile case, in the Apple TV+ thriller series Suspicion (2022), appearing in 4 episodes. She then starred as Reilly Clayton, a young uncovering a global conspiracy, in the miniseries (2022), appearing in all 5 episodes. In the same year, West played Beth Davenport, a determined , in the miniseries (2022), a thriller involving moral dilemmas and , across 4 episodes. West played Sara Beckham, a young CIA agent with a personal vendetta, in the spy thriller series Gray (2023–2024), appearing in the 8-episode limited series. West portrayed Eddie Rushden, a supportive bar owner and best friend dealing with mental health challenges in her circle, in the Channel 4 comedy-drama series Big Mood (2024), appearing in all 6 episodes of the first series, with a second series confirmed for 2026. Upcoming, she leads as Elise in the Australian Stan original series He Had It Coming (2025), a black comedy crime mystery, set to feature in 8 episodes.

Audio and voice work

Lydia West has expanded her acting portfolio into audio and voice work, leveraging her versatile vocal range for dramas, narrations, and adaptations. Represented by Anthea Represents for projects including commercials and narrations, she has taken on roles that highlight her neutral accent alongside capabilities in RP, Irish, and dialects. In 2020, West voiced in the Audible audio drama adaptation of L. Frank Baum's , a full-cast production also featuring as the Wizard. That same year, she provided the voice of Vivien in ' Donna Noble: Kidnapped! - The Sorcerer of Albion, an original audio story centered on 's adventures. West's audio contributions continued in 2021 with her narration of D.H. Lawrence's for Audible, delivering the unexpurgated text in a 14-hour production. She also portrayed Imani in Running with Lions by Sian Carter, a poignant BBC Radio 4 audio drama exploring themes of , , and within a British-Caribbean family, produced as part of the Talawa Stories series in collaboration with Talawa Theatre Company. More recently, in 2024, West voiced Cahlo, a key companion figure, in Big Finish's Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures - Series 13: Metamorphosis, a box set featuring Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor and confronting threats from the Toymaker and the Master.

Awards and nominations

Wins

Lydia West received the Best Actress award at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Television Festival for her portrayal of Jill Baxter in the Channel 4 series It's a Sin, recognizing her performance in a drama that addressed the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1980s Britain. In the same year, she was honored with the Gamechanging Rising Star Award at the British Glamour Women of the Year Awards, celebrating her emerging talent following her breakthrough role in .

Nominations

In 2022, she was nominated for the Leading Actress award at the BAFTA Television Awards for . That same year, West earned a nomination for at the Broadcasting Press Guild (BPG) Awards for her performance in . No further individual acting nominations for West have been announced as of November 2025 for projects such as Big Mood.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9519090/
  2. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/lydia-west.html
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/25/i-cant-just-be-quiet-in-the-corner-accepting-everything-lydia-west-on-deep-dives-into-roles
  4. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a60309096/lydia-west-big-mood-interview/
  5. https://www.vestalmag.com/lydia-west
  6. https://www.metfilmschool.ac.uk/articles/blogs/meet-industry-actress-lydia-west-its-a-sin/
  7. https://anthearepresents.com/artist/lydia-west
  8. https://pentaverate.fandom.com/wiki/Lydia_West
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10276482/
  10. https://london-post.co.uk/lydia-west-the-small-screens-latest-superstar/
  11. https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/lydia-west/
  12. https://www.themarysue.com/lucy-westenra-in-the-new-bbc-netflix-dracula/
  13. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-55937944
  14. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/02/its-a-sin-lydia-west-interview
  15. https://thequeerreview.com/2021/02/21/exclusive-interview-lydia-west-on-her-its-a-sin-character-jill-hob-max/
  16. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-original-shock-of-aids-in-its-a-sin
  17. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/08/lydia-west-year-in-tv-its-a-sin-hiv-aids-activism
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10203880/characters/nm9519090
  19. https://deadline.com/2025/02/big-mood-season-2-renewed-channel-4-1236283945/
  20. https://www.stan.news/a-feisty-feminist-murder-mystery-he-had-it-coming-the-stan-original-series-starring-lydia-west-natasha-liu-bordizzo-and-liv-hewson
  21. https://www.forbes.com/sites/maellebeauget-uhl/2024/04/22/nicola-coughlan-and-lydia-west-talk-big-mood-self-empowerment-and-i-made-it-moment/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11426538/fullcredits/
  23. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/rDGDzXmDgnhZH3Bc9pqJxX/bethany-bisme-lyons
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9139220/characters/nm9519090/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9140342/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12026710/characters/nm9519090
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10203880/characters/nm9519090/
  28. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/inside-man-bbc-cast/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15689870/characters/nm9519090
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26765082/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35836656/
  32. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000vrjj
  33. https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-the-fourth-doctor-adventures-series-13-metamorphosis-2329
  34. https://deadline.com/2021/06/monte-carlo-tv-festival-winners-2021-uncle-frank-its-a-sin-lydia-west-1234779647/
  35. https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/glamour-women-of-the-year-awards-2021-winners
  36. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60921931
  37. http://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/2022/03/bpg-awards-2022-television-and-streaming-nominations/
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