Adura Onashile is an influential British actor, writer, and director whose work has redefined the artistic landscape of contemporary theatre and film. Born in London to Nigerian parents and based in Glasgow, she has spent the last decade carving a unique path in the arts by amplifying underrepresented voices and telling stories that centre on Black identity, womanhood, and emotional resilience. Her transition from stage to screen showcases not only her creative range but also her ability to articulate the complexities of human relationships with rare sensitivity and authenticity.
In a time when the entertainment industry increasingly strives for inclusion and representation, Adura Onashile stands out as an artist who combines powerful storytelling with a deep social consciousness. Her plays and films are not merely performances; they are emotional experiences that challenge audiences to engage with questions of identity, belonging, trauma, and self-discovery.
Early Life and Inspiration
Adura Onashile was born in London, England, and her Nigerian heritage profoundly influences her artistic perspective. Growing up in a multicultural environment gave her an intimate understanding of cultural duality, displacement, and the search for belonging—recurring themes that would later shape her creative work. She eventually made her way to Glasgow, Scotland, where she became an integral part of the city’s vibrant theatre scene.
Her early years as an actor helped her appreciate the power of performance as a tool for empathy. She has spoken about how the stage became a place of truth for her—a space where she could explore difficult emotions and connect with audiences on a deeper level. This early exposure to performance and storytelling paved the way for her evolution into a writer and director determined to shape her own narratives rather than merely perform those written by others.
Transition from Acting to Directing and Writing
Although Onashile began her career as an actor, her creative ambitions soon expanded beyond performing. She recognised that many stories, particularly those of Black women and marginalised communities, were underrepresented in mainstream theatre. This realisation fuelled her desire to write and direct her own projects.
Her background as a performer provided her with a unique sensitivity to character and emotion. This dual experience as actor and director allows her to draw extraordinary performances from her cast members and to craft narratives that feel authentic and emotionally alive. For Onashile, storytelling is not about spectacle—it is about truth. Every project she undertakes is grounded in the desire to explore the emotional realities of her characters and the societies they inhabit.
Breakthrough Works: HeLa and Expensive Shit
One of Onashile’s earliest and most acclaimed works was HeLa, a one-woman stage play inspired by the life of Henrietta Lacks—the African-American woman whose cells were unknowingly used for scientific research. The play explores themes of identity, exploitation, and the moral questions surrounding race and medicine. Through this production, Onashile proved her ability to merge historical narratives with deeply personal emotional resonance.
Following HeLa, she wrote and directed Expensive Shit, a daring and politically charged play that examines the exploitation of women through the lens of power, voyeurism, and control. Set in two contrasting locations—a Nigerian nightclub and a Glasgow nightclub’s bathroom—the story explores how women’s bodies and privacy are commodified in different cultural contexts. The play received critical acclaim and was later adapted into a short film, which was nominated for a BAFTA Scotland award.
Expensive Shit established Onashile as a fearless storyteller, unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths and provoke meaningful discussion about gender, race, and power dynamics.
Film Debut: Girl
In 2023, Adura Onashile made her feature film debut with Girl, a haunting and intimate exploration of the relationship between a mother and daughter. The story follows Grace and her daughter Ama, who live in near-isolation in a Glasgow high-rise flat. Their lives are filled with love and protection, but also with the weight of past trauma. The film delicately navigates the boundaries between care and control, safety and fear.
Girl is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling. It unfolds slowly and poetically, allowing silence and gesture to carry emotional weight. Onashile’s background in theatre is evident in the film’s rhythm and staging, while her cinematic vision adds visual poetry and depth. Critics praised the film for its striking visual style, emotional intensity, and nuanced performances.
Through Girl, Onashile demonstrates her skill in capturing the unspoken emotions that define intimate human relationships. She paints motherhood not as a sentimental trope but as a complex, often painful act of love shaped by trauma and survival.
Artistic Vision and Themes
Across all her work, Adura Onashile consistently explores themes of identity, displacement, and emotional endurance. Her storytelling is deeply humanistic, focusing on the inner lives of characters often pushed to the margins of society. Whether she is depicting a nightclub cleaner or a mother coping with trauma, her approach is grounded in empathy and psychological depth.
A recurring motif in her work is the body—its memory, its vulnerability, and its power. She often uses the physicality of her characters to express the weight of social history and personal struggle. This interest in embodiment connects her theatre background with her cinematic style, creating a cohesive artistic language across mediums.
She also emphasises the importance of safe creative environments. When dealing with sensitive material, Onashile ensures that her sets and rehearsal spaces foster trust and collaboration. This approach not only enhances the performances but also reflects her belief in ethical artistry—where process matters as much as the final product.
Representation and Influence
As a British-Nigerian artist, Onashile has become a prominent voice in the ongoing conversation about diversity and representation in the arts. She represents a new generation of storytellers who are not waiting for permission to tell their stories—they are creating their own platforms and redefining the cultural narrative.
Her success has inspired many young artists of colour in the UK to pursue careers in theatre and film, proving that authenticity can resonate with both audiences and critics. In a landscape that has historically marginalised Black voices, Onashile’s achievements stand as proof of the power of perseverance and creativity.
Recognition and Impact
Adura Onashile’s body of work has earned widespread recognition for its artistic innovation and emotional depth. She has collaborated with major institutions such as the National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Shakespeare Company, bringing her distinctive voice to some of the UK’s most respected stages.
Her accolades include nominations for BAFTA Scotland awards and recognition from film festivals across Europe. However, her greatest impact lies not only in awards but in the conversations her work sparks. Each of her projects challenges audiences to confront issues of race, gender, and humanity with honesty and compassion.
A Unique Creative Process
Onashile’s creative process is deeply collaborative and introspective. She often begins with a personal question or emotion and develops it through extensive research and rehearsal. Her attention to detail and visual storytelling is evident in every project. She uses mood boards, imagery, and music to shape the tone of her productions.
She has also discussed her desire to blur the boundaries between theatre and film. For her, both mediums share a core purpose: to connect people through emotion. This belief drives her to continually experiment and evolve as an artist.
The Cultural Relevance of Her Work
In the modern cultural landscape, where conversations about race, gender, and identity dominate global discourse, Adura Onashile’s work feels particularly relevant. Her ability to humanise complex social issues and transform them into emotionally rich narratives positions her among the most important creative voices in contemporary Britain.
Her stories speak not just to Black British audiences but to anyone who has experienced loss, love, fear, or hope. By presenting personal stories with universal resonance, she bridges cultural divides and invites empathy across backgrounds.
The Future of Adura Onashile
As she continues her journey, Adura Onashile is expected to take on even more ambitious projects across theatre and film. With her growing reputation and critical acclaim, she represents a model for the future of British storytelling—one that values depth, authenticity, and inclusivity over formulaic entertainment.
Her future works are likely to continue exploring the tensions between past and present, identity and environment, and the personal and political. Whatever direction she takes, it is certain that her voice will continue to shape the cultural dialogue of the UK and beyond.
Conclusion
Adura Onashile is more than an artist; she is a force for change in British theatre and cinema. Through her innovative storytelling, she has given voice to stories that were once silenced and created spaces where authenticity and vulnerability can coexist. Her journey from London to Glasgow, from performer to filmmaker, reflects not only her personal evolution but also a broader cultural shift towards inclusion and representation in the arts.
Her commitment to truth, emotion, and human connection ensures that her influence will endure for years to come. In every sense, Adura Onashile embodies the future of meaningful storytelling—a future where art is not only seen but felt, not only heard but remembered.
