David Ajala: British Actor in Supergirl, Star Trek & Law & Order

There’s something captivating about an actor who jumps from a superhero universe to a starship and lands a role in TV’s longest-running crime dramas—David Ajala has done just that. Born and raised in Hackney, London, he has built a career spanning blockbusters, theatre, and iconic TV franchises.

Known for: Supergirl (2018–2019), Star Trek: Discovery (seasons 3–5), Law & Order ·
Born: 21 May 1986, Hackney, London, England ·
Nationality: British ·
Notable Roles: Cleveland Booker in Star Trek: Discovery, Terri Martin in Supergirl

Five key facts about David Ajala’s background and career, one pattern: his trajectory from classical theatre to genre TV.

The takeaway: Ajala’s professional identity is firmly rooted in high-profile franchises, yet his personal finances remain private.

Who is David Ajala?

Early life and education

• Born 21 May 1986 in Hackney, London, England (IMDb (database))
• His parents moved from Nigeria to the UK in the 1970s (The Rake (lifestyle magazine))
• Ajala described his family’s cultural immersion as watching Carry On films and James Bond movies (The Rake (lifestyle magazine))
• Began acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2008 (The Rake (lifestyle magazine))

Nationality and background

• English actor (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• Of Nigerian Yoruba origin (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))

The implication: Ajala’s background is a classic London immigrant story, but his career path is anything but ordinary.

What is David Ajala famous for?

Supergirl role

• Played Terri Martin (Manchester Black) in Supergirl from 2018 to 2019 (The Rake (lifestyle magazine))

Star Trek: Discovery role

• Portrayed Cleveland ‘Book’ Booker in Star Trek: Discovery (Inverse (entertainment news))
• Joined the series in Season 3, which premiered in 2020 (Inverse (entertainment news))

Law & Order appearances

• Joined the Law & Order cast in 2023–2024 (The Guardian (UK newspaper))

The pattern: each role represents a different genre — superhero, space opera, crime procedural — demonstrating range that few actors can claim.

Is David Ajala in Star Trek?

Character played

• Cleveland ‘Book’ Booker, a courier with a deep connection to his ship and nature (Inverse (entertainment news))

Seasons appeared in

• Seasons 3 through 5 of Star Trek: Discovery (Inverse (entertainment news))

The catch: Ajala’s character Booker was introduced in the show’s third season, a reboot of sorts for the series, and quickly became a fan favourite.

What ethnicity is David Ajala?

Heritage details

• English actor of Nigerian Yoruba descent (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• Born in London to parents who emigrated from Nigeria in the 1970s (The Rake (lifestyle magazine))

The trade-off: while his ethnicity is clearly documented, some online sources label him simply as “British” while others specify “Nigerian Yoruba” — the difference reflects the breadth of his identity.

How do you pronounce David Ajala?

Phonetic guide

• Pronounced: DAY-vid uh-JAH-lah (Insight Britain (UK profile site))

The clarity: the stress falls on the second syllable of his surname, a common pattern in Yoruba pronunciation.

“Our family’s cultural immersion was watching Carry On films and James Bond movies,” David Ajala told The Rake in a profile.

— The Rake (lifestyle magazine)

“Playing Booker allowed me to explore a character who is both a loner and deeply connected to the natural world,” Ajala said in an interview with Inverse.

— Inverse (entertainment news)

David Ajala’s career is still unfolding, with a steady role on Law & Order and a return to the West End stage. For fans of genre television, he remains one of the most versatile British actors working today. The decision to follow his work is simple: watch his performances, and you’ll see an actor who never repeats himself.

Frequently asked questions