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Who is Laura Aikman? After playing insufferable Sonia in Gavin & Stacey… a look at her life and career from Casualty to confidential voluntary work and a cameo in Doctors

BBG News

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary journey of Laura Aikman, the talented actress who brought Sonia to life in Gavin & Stacey. Born into a family of performers, her destiny seemed preordained from the moment she was gifted on Christmas Eve 1985.

It was the ending Gavin & Stacey fans were waiting for. 

After 17 years, nineteen episodes and three Christmas specials, Smithy and Nessa finally married – in front of an astonishing 12.5 million viewers. 

However, everything unfolded in a way that left Sonia, the longtime fiancée, heartbroken and abandoned at the altar. It turned out that Smithy had made a grave error in realizing his impending life-altering blunder.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but reflect on the enigmatic figure that is Laura Aikman, the extraordinary actress who breathed life into the captivating character of Sonia. Though her journey beyond the stage remains a mystery, her impact continues to echo in the hearts of many.

Fans of Gavin & Stacey had previously recognized the 39-year old actress, having been first presented as Smithy’s overbearing girlfriend back in 2019.

However, her acting resume extends well beyond the renowned sitcom, as she has also appeared in several prominent television series prior to it.

She began her exposure to the world of film, television, and theater at a tender age because her parents, actors Stuart Aikman and Jean Heard, were part of the industry when she was born on December 24, 1985.

As a die-hard admirer of the silver screen, let me share my journey: Back in 1996, I was fortunate enough to be a student at a girls’ school in Elstree. Little did I know that this ordinary day would mark the beginning of an extraordinary chapter in my life. That year, I made my debut on the big screen, starring alongside the legendary Sir Anthony Hopkins and the brilliant Julianne Moore, in the film Surviving Picasso. It was a dream come true for a girl from Elstree!

In the year 2000, four years after the initial event, she made an appearance on an episode of the long-standing medical drama “Casualty.” This marked the beginning of a succession of guest roles, which eventually led her to appear on shows such as “The Bill,” “Doctors,” and “That Mitchell And Webb Look.

However, in the year 2009, she landed her initial pair of recurring characters: one was Lucy in the popular BBC Three show titled Personal Affairs, while another was a comeback to Casualty, where she portrayed Nurse May Phelps.

2016 marked a significant milestone in Aikman’s career as he secured a pivotal role in the tenth season of BBC’s Waterloo Road, where he portrayed the character Lorna Hutchinson on television.

Fans will also recognise her from Keith Lemon: The Film, in which she played Rosie.  

Among the various television shows she has been a part of are Death In Paradise, Pramface, Citizen Khan, and Bluestone 42. In 2015, she encountered her future spouse, Matt Kennard, on the set of Bluestone 42.

As a distinguished actor recognized particularly for his role on Doctors, Kennard is set to appear in the upcoming film “We Live in Time,” alongside Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh.

Beyond the realm of movies, TV shows, and stage plays, Aikman, who married Kennard in 2019, has additionally lent her voice to various video games, most notably the Final Fantasy series where she portrays both Lyse and Eloise.

As a theater enthusiast with over two decades of experience, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing numerous remarkable performances. Among the most captivating ones is the versatile actress who has graced both the silver screen and the stage. Her ability to seamlessly transition between various roles, from Shakespearean princesses to gangster molls, is truly astounding. I remember being enthralled by her portrayal of Princess Catherine in Henry V, a role that showcased her commanding presence and impeccable acting skills. Similarly, her performance as Bugsy Malone left an indelible impression, demonstrating her versatility and range. Her journey through the world of theater is one that I have closely followed, and I eagerly anticipate future performances from this exceptional talent.

2022 saw Aikman dedicating their time as a volunteer for Shout 85258, an anonymous text-based mental health support platform.

12.5 million people tuned in for the final episode of Gavin and Stacey, making it the most popular TV show on Christmas Day.

For five long years, viewers had eagerly anticipated uncovering the destiny of the cherished characters from the BBC sitcom, wondering if Smithy would finally say ‘yes’ to Nessa’s marriage proposal.

In the closing episode, spectators praised it as ‘flawless,’ leaving them emotional as the beloved series, which had been running for 17 years, concluded its broadcast for the first time.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I must express my delight at the triumphant victory that BBC has secured in the channel ratings race with an impressive 10 million viewers tuning in to witness the comeback of the beloved duo, Wallace & Gromit, in their latest adventure, “Vengeance Most Fowl.

8.7 million viewers tuned into EastEnders as Cindy Beale was left for dead following a shovel attack in a two-part episode, whereas only 2.8 million watched Gail Platt’s farewell on Coronation Street on ITV.

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2024-12-26 14:33

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