Gurlaine Kaur Garcha

Gurlaine Kaur Garcha
Born
Gurlaine Kaur Sidhu

(1993-09-20) 20 September 1993 (age 31)
Luton, England
Other names
  • Gurlaine Sidhu
  • Gurlaine Garcha
Years active2011–present

Gurlaine Kaur Sidhu or Garcha (born 20 September 1993) is an English actress. On television, she is known for her role as Ash Panesar in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders (2019–2023).

Early life

Garcha was born in Luton to Kenyan-born parents of Punjabi Sikh heritage.[1][2] Garcha attended St George's School, Harpenden.[3] She was 6 years old when she took up taekwondo and later joined the Trenic TKD Academy in Yiewsley, West London.[4]

Career

Garcha first began acting at the age of 15, appearing in the boxing short film Counter Punch[5] and auditioning for the E4 teen drama Skins, making it to the final 15 of 8 thousand who auditioned for a role.[3] She made her television debut in 2012 with guest appearances in episodes of the BBC One medical soap operas Holby City and Doctors. Garcha also auditioned for the Coronation Street role of Rana Habeeb.[6]

In 2019, Garcha made her feature film debut with a small role in the coming-of-age comedy-drama Days of the Bagnold Summer. That same year, she joined the cast of the BBC One soap opera EastEnders as Dr Ashneet "Ash" Panesar (or Kaur), a member of the soap's Panesar family and Iqra Ahmed's love interest.[7][8] Garcha had been inspired by EastEnders star Lacey Turner when studying drama herself.[9] She took a temporary break from the soap in early 2022[10] to do charity work in Malawi.[11] She exited the soap in March 2023.[12]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2011 Counter Punch Short film
2012 Holby City Hayah Amir Episode: "Wolf's Clothing"
2012 Doctors CJ Jaspal Episode: "A Lighter Note"
2016 Liv Nadia Short film
2019 Daughter Lilah Short film
2019 Days of the Bagnold Summer Receptionist
2019–2023 EastEnders Ash Panesar 159 episodes

References

  1. ^ Codling, Lauren (20 February 2020). "EastEnders' bisexual storyline 'rewarding', says star". Eastern Eye. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Punjab-Origin British Actress Gurlaine Kaur Garcha Opens Up On Being The Target Of Racism". ABP Live. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Burton, Madeleine (19 October 2012). "Harpenden actress wins place in BBC drama Doctors". Herts Advertiser. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  4. ^ Mistry, Manisha (17 June 2009). "Harpenden schoolgirl aims for world championships". St Albans & Harpenden Review. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  5. ^ "The BAFTA and Media Trust Youth Mentoring Programme England Showcase" (PDF). BAFTA. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  6. ^ Rajput, Priyanca (1 October 2021). "EastEnders star Gurlaine Kaur Garcha reveals the Coronation Street role she nearly played". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  7. ^ Dainty, Sophie (29 October 2019). "EastEnders star Gurlaine Kaur Garcha reacts to Ash secret". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  8. ^ Kitson, Calli (31 March 2022). "Ash Panesar return confirmed as Gurlaine Kaur Garcha is back filming at EastEnders". Metro. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  9. ^ Tyler, Laura-Jayne (5 January 2021). ""Actors dream about Hollywood… but for me it was Walford!" says EastEnders' Gurlaine Kaur Garcha". Inside Soap. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  10. ^ Milward, Charlie (12 January 2022). "EastEnders exit: Has Gurlaine Kaur Garcha quit as Ash Panesar?". Daily Express. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  11. ^ Hallam, Katy (9 March 2022). "EastEnders actress praised as she shares new role since leaving BBC soap". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  12. ^ Knight, Lewis (30 January 2023). "EastEnders exit for Dr Ash Kaur as actress Gurlaine Kaur Garcha departs". Radio Times. Retrieved 26 February 2023.