You may remember Tala Gouveia, who plays DCI Lauren McDonald in McDonald & Dodds, from her time in Walford (Image: ITV)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeThe beloved ITV detective drama, McDonald & Dodds, is back on our screens for its fourth season, with the charmingly mismatched duo leading the cast, along with some big-name guest stars. This show, which returns on Sunday, 21 July, is a refreshing change from the darker crime dramas many of us binge watch and fans agree it’s all the better for it. BAFTA award-winning actor Jason Watkins, who plays DS Dodds, is a familiar face to all of us for his roles in The Crown, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, Des, Line of Duty and Trollied. However, his co-star Tala Gouveia, who plays DCI Lauren McDonald, has also been in the industry longer than fans might realise.
Tala stars with Jason Watkins in McDonald & Dodds
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Tala was born in Nottingham and lived there until she moved to London at the age of eight. As the daughter of two educational theatre professionals, Tala grew up surrounded by actors and playwrights, reports MyLondon. It didn’t take her long to decide that she wanted to follow in their footsteps. She attended Bristol Old Vic Theatre School between 2007 and 2010 and completed a degree in professional acting. Before landing her breakthrough role on McDonald & Dodds in 2020, Tala had a successful career in theatre. Notably, she played Juliet in the 2014 Orange Tree Theatre production of Romeo And Juliet. However, it was her stint as Nurse Green on EastEnders that truly kick-started her acting journey. Tala graced the screen as Nurse Green four times between 2011 and 2013.
Tala was Nurse Green in EastEnders
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Remembering her role, Tala told Radio Times: “I was Nurse Green – every time a character was shoved down the stairs, she’d be called in. EastEnders always rang me just as I ran out of money!” Though a minor part, it paved the way for many more opportunities for the talented actress, with some fans only just realising she graced Albert Square with her presence. Since then, Tala has showcased her versatility with a variety of roles. Younger viewers might recognise her voice from children’s shows like Scream Street and Go Jetters. She’s also taken on more mature roles, such as her part in the 2019 indie film Before We Grow Old. The next episode of McDonald & Dodds is set to air on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm on Sunday, 21 JulyStory SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnEastEndersThe CrownDrama
