Izuka Hoyle

(She/Her)

Izuka’s breakthrough project is TV thriller Prisoner.

Early inspiration to take to the stage and screen came in many forms for Scottish actress Izuka. From the influence of strong female Disney characters like The Hunchback of Notre Dame‘s Esmeralda and 101 Dalmatians‘ Cruella de Vil, to the epic world-building of Lord of the Rings and Pan’s Labyrinth with their “big fat movie story-telling, complexity of character and portrayal of beauty in the grotesque”. So, it is hardly surprising that now she is determined to make her own bold, challenging and soulful pieces of work that will inspire others.

Already, the multi-talented actress’ career has seen her flipping between the worlds of film –Mary Queen of Scots and Villan, theatre – Six the Musical, and TV – Ludwig and Boiling Point to name a few. Plus, of course there was also the BAFTA-winning Big Boys which she describes as the “joy of my life”. Now, with breakthrough project Prisoner, audiences will see yet another side of Izuka as she takes on the role of a prison transport officer who must decide how far she’ll bend her moral code to survive and get home to her family after finding herself on the run while handcuffed to a high-value inmate.

In her own words…

“Right now, the inspiration behind my work is to have fun. It’s not lost on me that to call make belief a profession is a luxury of the highest order. [My intention is to] be brave, make mistakes, learn from them, grow from that and try again… for as long as the industry will have me.

“To portray life, we must live it. So, the inspiration is life, I guess? And it’s imperative I have giggle along the way.”