EastEnders has seen a host of fresh faces join the cast in recent years, including actress Aaliyah James who portrays Avani Nandra-Hart on the popular BBC One soap.

Avani was first introduced to viewers back in 2023 and has since become a key member of the EastEnders ensemble over the last two years.

Her character has been at the heart of numerous dramatic storylines since her arrival in Walford, with the latest twist revealing that she’s expecting a baby after a romantic encounter with new character Joel Marshall (played by Max Murray).

Off-screen, Aaliyah James leads a life that is quite different from her on-screen persona. Let’s delve into her world….

Who is Aaliyah James?

Born in Greenwich, London, Aaliyah Laiqah James has had a passion for drama from a young age. She pursued this interest academically, earning a GCSE in the subject and participating in productions with Old Vic New Voices and the Age Exchange Company.

In 2022, Aaliyah made her television debut in the BBC One crime drama Inside Man, where she played a train passenger in the inaugural episode, reports Plymouth Live.

When she’s not on set, Aaliyah keeps her fans in the loop via her Instagram account, frequently posting pictures from glamorous holidays to places like Ibiza and star-studded events such as the National Television Awards.

Career

After making her TV debut in 2022, it was announced that Aaliyah had landed the role of Avani Nandra-Hart in EastEnders. She made her first appearance on the soap in October 2023.

Avani made her debut on BBC screens alongside her mother Priya Nandra-Hart, portrayed by Sophie Khan Levy. The storyline revealed that Priya had previously been romantically involved with Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), with Avani being his daughter – though he remained completely oblivious to her existence.

She’s the younger sibling of Davinder ‘Nugget’ Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) and serves as step-granddaughter to Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal).

Throughout her stint on EastEnders, Avani has found herself embroiled in major plotlines, from an inappropriate relationship with an older man to her current teenage pregnancy storyline.

“To be given this opportunity as my official debut to screen is a true blessing,” Aaliyah remarked when her casting was announced in 2023.

“I have found home in the supportiveness of the cast and crew, and I’m very thankful to feel a part of the EastEnders family already. ‘I can’t wait to bring Avani to life and to walk her path in Walford, and I’m excited to see what the universe has planned for my own future.”