Saira Jackson

Saira Jackson (née Choudhry) (born July 1982) is a British actress. She is best known for portraying Saira in Life, Naila in Coronation Street, Anita Roy in Hollyoaks, Tegan in Paul Abbott's No Offence, and Nisha Chandra in Waterloo Road.

Early life

Saira Choudhry was born in Cheetham Hill, an inner-city area and electoral ward of Manchester, England. She was born to an Irish mother and an Indian father, the latter of whom died when Choudhry was ten years old.

Career

Choudhry first came to prominence in 2008, when she joined the cast of Hollyoaks as Anita Roy, a part she played for 198 episodes, leaving the series in 2011.

After appearing in shows such as Coronation Street and Doctors, Choudhry starred as PC Tegan Thompson in Channel 4's comedy drama series No Offence from 2015 to 2018. On playing Tegan, Choudhry told the Manchester Evening News: "[Tegan]'s braver than me. She’s completely different to any character I’ve been known for before [...] It was nice to play such a strong female character and I think the way Paul has written her and the other women in the show is amazing. Women and men love to see that."

In 2020, Choudhry appeared as Saira Malik in the BBC drama series Life.

In 2022, Choudhry appeared as Alice in one episode of BBC comedy Peacock, alongside Allan Mustafa. Later in 2022, Choudhry starred as Nancy in the CBBC series Dodger, a reimagining of the Dickens’ character's life before Oliver Twist.

In February 2024, it was announced that Choudhry had been cast as maths teacher Nisha Chandra in Waterloo Road.

Personal life

Choudhry's mother, Fae, is a no-smoking advisor. In 2010, Choudhry helped to launch that year's No Smoking drive.

In 2014, Choudhry set up her own drama school, TV Talent.

In December 2022, Choudhry announced her engagement to Marcus Jackson. In August 2024, Choudhry and Jackson married.

Filmography