David Ajala

David Ajala (born 21 May 1986 ) is a British actor. He is known for his roles as Manchester Black in Supergirl (2018–2019), Captain Roy Eris in Nightflyers (2018), and Cleveland "Book" Booker in Star Trek: Discovery (2020–2024).

Early life
David Ajala was born in Hackney, London. He is of Nigerian Yoruba origin. He trained at the Anna Scher Theatre. In an interview for Interview Magazine Ajala said: "When I went to secondary school, my maths teacher said I had way too much energy and was too mischievous. He tried to convince me that if I did acting, I'd be popular with the girls".

Career
On stage, Ajala has performed in Nation, A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hamlet, and as Jim Brown in the European premiere of One Night in Miami by Kemp Powers.

In film, his first part was in Kidulthood, and he also appears in the sequels, Adulthood and Brotherhood; he has also appeared in The Dark Knight and in major roles in Starred Up and the 2016 Seekers. On TV he has appeared in many series including Doctor Who and in major roles in Black Box, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, Nightflyers, and Falling Water.

Sean 'Mac' McAlister, a character from 2017 video game Need for Speed Payback, is voiced by and modeled after him.

Ajala has appeared as Keith in the BBC Radio 4 dramas Burned To Nothing (2011) and Felix in The Price of Oil: Someone's Making A Killing In Nigeria both by Rex Obano.

In 2018 and 2019, Ajala played Manchester Black in seven episodes of the fourth season of Supergirl.

From 2020 to 2024, Ajala played the series regular role of Cleveland "Book" Booker in the third through fifth seasons of Star Trek: Discovery.

Personal life
Ajala is married to presenter and travel agent Terri Martin. They have two sons.