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Kaya Scodelario – Biography Career Movies and Personal Life in 2025

Arthur Jack Thompson Murray • 2026-07-08 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

Kaya Scodelario is one of the most recognisable British actresses of her generation, having risen to fame as the enigmatic Effy Stonem in the cult series Skins. Since then, she has crossed over into major Hollywood franchises, starring in The Maze Runner trilogy and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Known for her intense screen presence and ability to move between gritty dramas and blockbuster spectacles, Scodelario remains a busy figure in film and television as of 2025.

Born in West Sussex to a Brazilian mother and an English father, Scodelario grew up speaking Portuguese at home and later adopted her mother’s surname professionally. Her journey from a teenage actor with no formal training to a leading lady in international productions is a story of raw talent and determination.

This article provides a comprehensive look at her background, career defining roles, personal life, and what she is working on now, based on verified, publicly available information.

Who is Kaya Scodelario? Biography and Early Life

Real Name and Age

Her birth name is Kaya Rose Humphrey. She was born on March 13, 1992, making her 33 years old as of 2025 (and 34 as of July 2026). She stands at 5′ 6″ (1.68 m) according to her official IMDb profile.

Early Life and Family Background

Scodelario was born in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England. Her mother, Katia Scodelario, is Brazilian of Italian and Portuguese descent, while her father, Roger Humphrey, was English. Her parents divorced when she was a year old. She attended Bishop Douglass Catholic School and later Islington Arts and Media School.

Her father passed away in November 2010. Scodelario has spoken in interviews about speaking Portuguese at home and maintaining a close connection to her Brazilian heritage. She adopted her mother’s surname early in her career.

Attribute Detail
Full Name Kaya Rose Scodelario-Davis (née Humphrey)
Date of Birth March 13, 1992 (Age 33 as of 2025)
Place of Birth Haywards Heath, Sussex, England
Nationality English / Brazilian descent
Famous For Effy Stonem (Skins), Teresa (The Maze Runner)
Spouse Benjamin Walker (m. 2015, separated 2023)
Occupation Actress
  • Gained international fame through the gritty British teen drama Skins, playing the complex character Effy Stonem.
  • Successfully transitioned from UK television to major Hollywood franchises, including The Maze Runner series and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
  • Despite a high-profile career, Scodelario maintains a relatively private personal life, with limited public social media presence compared to peers.
  • Her career has diversified into horror (Crawl) and period dramas, showing range beyond teenage roles.
  • As of 2025, she continues to be active in film and television, with new projects in development.

What is Kaya Scodelario Best Known For? Her Most Famous Roles

Effy Stonem in Skins (2007–2010, 2013)

Scodelario began her career at age 14 with no professional acting experience when she auditioned for Skins (2007), famously claiming to be 16 on her audition forms to increase her chances. She won the role of Effy Stonem, a character who became the central figure in the series’ third and fourth seasons. Her performance earned her two Golden Nymph nominations.

Teresa in The Maze Runner Series

She played Teresa, a main role across all three films of The Maze Runner trilogy (2014–2018). The franchise was a box office success and introduced her to a global young adult audience.

Carina Smyth in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

In 2017, Scodelario portrayed Carina Smyth, an adventurous and intelligent astronomer in the fifth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, starring alongside Johnny Depp and Javier Bardem.

Role Trivia

Scodelario performed several of her own stunts in The Maze Runner, including running and climbing scenes, as noted in behind-the-scenes features and interviews.

Other Key Film and TV Roles

  • Crawl (2019): Led the survival horror film as Haley.
  • Spinning Out (2020): Played Kat Baker in the Netflix series about figure skating.
  • Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019): Played Carol Ann Boone, the wife of Ted Bundy.
  • The Gentlemen (2024): Played Susie Glass in the TV series created by Guy Ritchie.
  • Senna (2024): Played Laura Harrison in the TV mini-series.
  • The Woman in Cabin 10 (2025): Starred as Grace Phillips.
  • Adulthood (2025): Played Meg Robles-Vargas.

Who is Kaya Scodelario Married To? Her Personal Life

Scodelario married American actor Benjamin Walker on December 17, 2015. The couple has two children: a son born in November 2016 and a daughter born in January 2022. In 2023, after 8 years of marriage, the couple separated. As of July 2026, their relationship status remains separated according to public records. Scodelario has shared limited details about her children publicly to protect their privacy.

What is Kaya Scodelario Doing Now? Recent and Upcoming Projects

Recent Work (2023–2025)

Scodelario has remained consistently active. In 2024, she appeared in The Gentlemen for Netflix and the mini-series Senna. In 2025, she stars in the films Adulthood and The Woman in Cabin 10, and she participated in the Life in Film podcast series. She is also associated with the unreleased film The King’s Daughter.

Upcoming Projects and Announcements

As of 2025, she continues to be cast in new projects. For the most up-to-date announcements, industry trades such as Variety are the best source of information.

Career Snapshot

Scodelario has moved comfortably between independent British films, Hollywood blockbusters, and streaming series. She has not yet won a major acting award (as of 2025) but has received critical praise for her performances in both teen drama and horror genres.

Kaya Scodelario Movies and TV Shows: A Complete Timeline

  1. 1992: Born on March 13 in Haywards Heath, England.
  2. 2007: First appeared as Effy Stonem on the British drama series Skins.
  3. 2009: Effy becomes a main character in Skins Season 3.
  4. 2011: Played Syrena the mermaid in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
  5. 2014: Released The Maze Runner, playing Teresa. The film was a box office success.
  6. 2015: Married actor Benjamin Walker. Reprised the role of Effy Stonem in the Skins Fire miniseries.
  7. 2018: Released Maze Runner: The Death Cure. Gave birth to her first son.
  8. 2020: Starred in the survival horror film Crawl. Gave birth to her second child.
  9. 2023: Featured in the TV series The Gentlemen (Guy Ritchie). Announced separation.
  10. 2025: Continues acting; completed filming on Adulthood and The Woman in Cabin 10.

What is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Kaya Scodelario?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Full name and date of birth are confirmed by official records. Net worth estimates vary widely across sites; no official confirmation from Scodelario or her representatives.
Marriage to Benjamin Walker and subsequent separation are publicly documented. Details about her father’s death and the specifics of her parents’ relationship are limited in public sources.
Her roles in Skins, The Maze Runner, and Pirates of the Caribbean are factually exact and credited on IMDb. Exact dates of birth for her children have not been publicly disclosed.
She has two children, confirmed in interviews. Some film/TV project announcements for 2025 may still be in pre-production and subject to change.

How Did Kaya Scodelario Build Her Career? Context and Analysis

Scodelario’s transition from UK television to Hollywood blockbusters is notable. Unlike many of her Skins contemporaries, such as Nicholas Hoult and Dev Patel, she did not immediately pursue major film roles after the series ended. Instead, she took a mix of indie films and franchise work, building a steady career. Her move into horror with Crawl and period dramas like The Pale Blue Eye shows a deliberate attempt to avoid typecasting. While she has not been a major awards contender, she has received consistent positive reviews for her performances across genres.

Key Sources and Quotes About Kaya Scodelario

“Kaya Scodelario remains a prominent figure in both British television and Hollywood blockbusters, known for her intense and raw performances.”

— Public profile summary, Facebook / Echoes of Lost Eras

“She famously claimed to be 16 on her audition forms to increase her chances of getting the role of Effy Stonem.”

— Facts.be speaker profile

Her official Instagram account includes the bio: “Into Dogs & Pub beer gardens.” For a complete filmography and credited roles, IMDb is the most reliable source.

Summary: What to Know About Kaya Scodelario in 2025

Kaya Scodelario is a versatile British actress who rose to fame on Skins and successfully built a career in major franchises like The Maze Runner and Pirates of the Caribbean. She is currently separated from husband Benjamin Walker and continues to work actively in film and television, with multiple projects released or in development in 2025. Her fluency in Portuguese and mixed heritage are integral parts of her identity. For readers interested in similar figures, check out the profile on Emily Atack – Biography, Age, Career and Family Life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kaya Scodelario’s net worth?

Net worth estimates are not official. As of 2025, some sites estimate it between $3–$5 million, but this has not been confirmed by Scodelario or her representatives.

Does Kaya Scodelario have a child?

Yes, she has two children with her husband, Benjamin Walker. She has shared limited details publicly to protect their privacy.

Is Kaya Scodelario still acting?

Yes. She has several recent roles (2023–2025) and continues to audition and film projects. Check her IMDb or Instagram for the most recent updates.

How tall is Kaya Scodelario?

She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall, according to her IMDB profile.

What is Kaya Scodelario’s Instagram?

Her official Instagram is @kayascods.

Was Kaya Scodelario in Harry Potter?

No, Kaya Scodelario has never appeared in a Harry Potter film.

Did Kaya Scodelario do her own stunts in The Maze Runner?

She performed several of her own stunts, including some of the running and climbing scenes, as noted in interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

What is Kaya Scodelario’s real name?

Her birth name is Kaya Rose Humphrey. She uses the surname Scodelario professionally.

Stephen Graham – Biography Wife Movies and 2025 Update

Additional sources

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Arthur Jack Thompson Murray

About the author

Arthur Jack Thompson Murray

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.