Ritu Arya Explained

Birth Date:17 September 1988
Birth Place:Guildford, England
Yearsactive:2012–present

Ritu Arya (born 17 September 1988)[1] is an English actress. She first became known for her role as Megan Sharma in the soap opera Doctors (2017), for which she was nominated for a British Soap Award. She gained further recognition for her roles as Flash in the sci-fi series Humans (2016–2018) and Lila Pitts in the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy (2020–2024).[2] She also starred in the film Polite Society (2023) as Lena Khan.

Early life

Ritu Arya's mother and father both work in real estate.[3] She is of Indian descent and has two brothers, Romi and Rahul, the latter of whom is also an actor. Arya began acting as a teenager.[4] Arya obtained a BSc in astrophysics from the University of Southampton,[5] where she performed as part of the Southampton University Theatre Group and Comedy Society including multiple shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She subsequently trained at the Oxford School of Drama.[6]

Career

Following a series of roles in short films, Arya played the recurring role of Dr. Megan Sharma in the British soap opera Doctors, for which she was nominated for the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer in 2017.[7] [8] She had a guest appearance in the series Sherlock in 2014, and later had a recurring role as the android Flash in the series Humans from 2016 to 2018.[9] [10] In 2019, Arya appeared as Jenna in the film Last Christmas, which was a commercial success.[11] [12] The following year, she had a recurring role as Lava in the Netflix series Feel Good and guest starred in the series Doctor Who.[13] [14]

In 2020, Arya starred as Lila Pitts in the second series of Netflix original series The Umbrella Academy, which earned her praise;[15] [16] she reprised the character in the series' third season, which was released in 2022.[17] Bustle magazine described her performance in the series as "scene-stealing" and Uproxx called Arya the "wild-card" of the show.[18] In 2021, Arya co-starred in the Netflix film Red Notice.[19] [20] [21] She also appeared in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, which released in 2023.[22]

Arya was a drummer and part of the band KIN, who released their debut single "Sharing Light" in April 2020.[23] Their follow-up single "L.O.V.E." premiered on 6 August 2020.[24] [25] On 16 October 2022, KIN released a statement saying that Arya had left the band and her last live show with them was on 14 October 2022 in London.[26]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015My Beautiful White SkinParitaShort film
2017DaphneRachida
JessamineSonyaShort film
The Super RecogniserAgent WilliamsShort film
2018Lady PartsSairaShort film
2019Last ChristmasJenna
2021Red NoticeInspector Urvashi Das
2023Polite Society Lena
2023BarbieJournalist Barbie

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013DoctorsSukhinder NainEpisode: "Embarrassing Bodies"
2013The TunnelBureau GirlEpisode #1.6
2014SherlockGailEpisode: "The Sign of Three"
2016We The JuryKateEpisode: "Pilot"
2016–2018HumansFlashRecurring role (series 2–3)
2017CrackanoryEleni / Beth2 episodes
2017DoctorsDr. Megan SharmaRecurring role
2018–2019The Good Karma HospitalBarsha NambeesanRecurring role
2019Sticks and StonesBeckyMain role
2020Doctor WhoGatEpisode: "Fugitive of the Judoon"
2020The StrangerMichaelaEpisode #1.3
2020Feel GoodLavaRecurring role
2020–2024The Umbrella AcademyLila PittsMain cast (seasons 2–4)

Theatre

YearTitleRoleVenueRef
2013Carpe DiemAishahRoyal National Theatre, London[27]
2014The Fourth Wise ManSamiraUnicorn Theatre, London[28]
2015MermaidMermaid/EnsembleUK Tour[29]
We Know Where You LiveAsmaFinborough Theatre, London[30]
Beauty and the BeastBellePolka Theatre, London[31]
2016Noises OffPoppyNottingham Playhouse, Nottingham[32]
2017Mother ChristmasGraceHampstead Theatre, London[33]
2018Genesis Inc.SerenaHampstead Theatre, London[34]

Notes and References

  1. General Register Office; Kingdom; Reference: Volume 33, Page 1578
  2. Web site: Petski . Denise . 2024-07-09 . ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 4 Trailer: One Last Mission To Save The World – Update . 2024-07-10 . Deadline . en-US.
  3. Web site: Goldsmith Properties Limited . Endole . 29 July 2021 . 29 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210729063913/https://suite.endole.co.uk/insight/company/06009879-goldsmith-properties-limited . live .
  4. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ritu-arya-on-real-life-heroes-british-comedy-and-her-songs-for-2020/article32813817.ece/ Ritu Arya on real life heroes, British comedy and her songs for 2020
  5. Web site: Kara . Warner . Ben . Trivett . Umbrella Academys Ritu Arya Has 'Fingers Crossed' for Season 3: More Surprises, Fight Sequences . 28 August 2020 . People . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308215300/https://people.com/tv/umbrella-academy-breakout-star-ritu-arya-wants-season-3/ . live .
  6. Web site: Ritu Arya. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200821235445/https://theatre.susu.org/members/198/ritu-arya. 21 August 2020. 7 August 2020. University of Southampton Drama. en.
  7. Web site: Before 'Umbrella Academy,' Ritu Arya Briefly Stopped Acting To Pursue An Out Of This World Career . 7 July 2022 . Bustle . 7 July 2022 . en.
  8. Web site: 6 June 2017. The British Soap Awards 2017: Full Winners List: Spoiler Alert. 12 August 2020. HELLO!. en. 6 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180806115302/https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2017060639551/british-soap-awards-2017-full-winners-list/. live.
  9. Web site: Petski. Denise. 10 September 2019. 'The Umbrella Academy': Ritu Arya, Yusuf Gatewood, Marin Ireland Join Season 2 Cast Of Netflix Series. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190910235927/https://deadline.com/2019/09/the-umbrella-academy-ritu-arya-yusuf-gatewood-marin-ireland-season-2-cast-netflix-series-1202730008/. 10 September 2019. 8 August 2020. Deadline. en.
  10. Web site: 8 December 2016. Ritu Arya stars as Flash in Channel 4's Humans News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200808034321/https://www.oxforddrama.ac.uk/news/ritu-arya-stars-as-flash-in-channel-4-s-humans. 8 August 2020. 8 August 2020. Oxford School of Drama.
  11. Web site: 6 December 2021 . Ritu Arya's 10 Best Movies & TV Shows, Ranked According To IMDb . 7 July 2022 . ScreenRant . en-US.
  12. Web site: D'Alessandro. Anthony. 25 November 2019. How Disney Turned 'Frozen 2' Into Biggest Global Toon Debut Of All-Time With $358M+, November Animated Pic U.S. Record $130M. 12 August 2020. Deadline. en. 23 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191123133518/https://deadline.com/2019/11/frozen-2-opening-weekend-box-office-tom-hanks-mister-rogers-movie-21-bridges-1202792831/. live.
  13. Web site: Weston. Christopher. 27 January 2020. Meet actress Ritu Arya: Sticks and Stones star on Instagram and Doctor Who appearance explored!. 10 August 2020. HITC. en-GB. 21 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200821235518/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/01/27/sticks-and-stones-ritu-arya-becky-instagram-roles/. live.
  14. Web site: Carlin. Shannon. 18 March 2020. The Cast Of Netflix's "Feel Good" Will Give You All The Feels. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200821235445/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/03/9546212/feel-good-netflix-cast-characters-guide#slide-11. 21 August 2020. 10 August 2020. Refinery29. en.
  15. Web site: Romero. Ariana. 1 August 2020. You Love Lila. We Love Lila. Ritu Arya Explains Umbrella Academy's Best New Character. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200821235445/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/08/9943373/who-is-lila-umbrella-academy-super-powers. 21 August 2020. 7 August 2020. Refinery29. en.
  16. Web site: 23 May 2022 . The Umbrella Academy's Lila Return Fixes A Season 2 Ending Problem . 7 July 2022 . ScreenRant . en-US.
  17. News: Ezaydi . Shahed . 1 July 2022 . Ritu Arya: 'The Umbrella Academy' star on the show's third season . 7 July 2022 . Rolling Stone UK . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Toomer . Jessica . 19 August 2020 . How Ritu Arya Became The Wild Card Of 'Umbrella Academy' Season 2 . 7 July 2022 . UPROXX . en-US.
  19. Web site: N'Duka . Amanda . 10 February 2020 . 'Red Notice': 'The Umbrella Academy's Ritu Arya, Chris Diamantopoulos Join Dwayne Johnson In Netflix Film . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200408021823/https://deadline.com/2020/02/red-notice-ritu-arya-chris-diamantopoulos-dwayne-johnson-netflix-movie-1202856716/ . 8 April 2020 . 7 August 2020 . . en.
  20. Web site: 19 November 2021 . Red Notice's Ritu Arya didn't see that ending twist coming . 7 July 2022 . Digital Spy . en-GB.
  21. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . 8 November 2018 . Dwayne Johnson Action-Thriller 'Red Notice' Heads To November 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190821025322/https://deadline.com/2018/11/dwayne-johnsons-red-notice-heads-to-november-2020-1202498441/ . 21 August 2019 . . 8 November 2018.
  22. Web site: Kroll . Justin . 15 April 2022 . 'Barbie': Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Emerald Fennell, Scott Evans, More Round Out Cast Of Warner Bros, Mattel And LuckyChap Pic . 7 July 2022 . Deadline . en-US.
  23. Web site: Sharing Light, by KIN . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200814114135/https://kinbandofficial.bandcamp.com/track/sharing-light . 14 August 2020 . 14 August 2020 . KIN.
  24. Web site: Romero . Ariana . 6 August 2020 . Your Fave New Umbrella Academy Star's New Music Video Is Here & It's Got A Sneaky Easter Egg . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200821235445/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/08/9950044/ritu-arya-umbrella-academy-music-video-kin-love . 21 August 2020 . 7 August 2020 . . en.
  25. Web site: KIN - L.O.V.E. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200821235453/http://www.nicholasalexander.org/blog/2020/8/8/kin-love . 21 August 2020 . 14 August 2020 . Nicholas Alexander . en-US.
  26. KINbandofficial. 1581646342673248257. A band statement.
  27. News: Ikonen . Charlotte . Competition triumph for playwright Dorothy Stringer pupil . 19 December 2021 . The Argus . 3 August 2013 . 19 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211219165752/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10587573.competition-triumph-for-playwright-dorothy-stringer-pupil/ . live .
  28. News: Gardner . Lyn . The Fourth Wise Man review – aimless trek through sandstorm and blizzard . 19 December 2021 . The Guardian . 21 December 2014 . 19 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211219165752/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/dec/21/the-fourth-wise-man-review-unicorn-theatre . live .
  29. News: Clapp . Susannah . Mermaid review – beautiful, ambitious and overladen . 19 December 2021 . The Guardian . 22 March 2015 . 19 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211219165751/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/mar/22/mermaid-shared-experience-nottingham-playhouse-review . live .
  30. News: Shore . Tom . REVIEW: WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE, FINBOROUGH THEATRE . 19 December 2021 . A Younger Theatre . 4 August 2015 . 19 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211219165753/https://www.ayoungertheatre.com/review-we-know-where-you-live-finborough-theatre/ . live .
  31. News: Coleman-Cooke . Danny . Beauty and the Beast . 19 December 2021 . BritishTheatre.com . 30 November 2015 . 19 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211219165754/https://britishtheatre.com/review-beauty-and-the-beast-polka-theatre-4stars/ . live .
  32. News: Hickling . Alfred . Noises Off review – perfectly executed pratfalls . 19 December 2021 . The Guardian . 18 April 2016 . 19 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211219165756/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/apr/18/noises-off-review-nottingham-playhouse . live .
  33. Web site: HAMPSTEAD DOWNSTAIRS/CELIA ATKIN PRESENT MOTHER CHRISTMAS . Hampstead Theatre . 19 December 2021 . 19 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211219165753/https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2018/mother-christmas/ . live .
  34. News: Billington . Michael . Genesis Inc. review – scattergun satire on the IVF industry . 19 December 2021 . The Guardian . 29 June 2018 . 19 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211219165754/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/jun/29/genesis-inc-review-hampstead-theatre . live .