Few actors go from a kitchen-sink drama set in Newcastle to a sprawling A24 horror comedy in under a decade, but Hayley Squires has done just that. Born in Forest Hill, South London on 16 April 1988, according to Rotten Tomatoes (movie review aggregator), she trained at Rose Bruford College and has since built a career that spans stage, television, and film.

Born: 16 April 1988 (age 36) ·
Nationality: English ·
Occupation: Actress and playwright ·
Known for: I, Daniel Blake (2016) ·
Birthplace: Forest Hill, London, England

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Marital status (not confirmed in top sources)
  • Exact height (not listed on Wikipedia or IMDb)
  • Ethnicity (not specified in provided sources)
  • Accent (presumed southern English but not officially stated)
  • BAFTA nomination for I, Daniel Blake (reported by management, not independently verified)
  • International Emmy win for Adult Material (reported by management, not independently verified)
3Timeline signal
  • 2012: First play Vera Vera Vera at Royal Court Theatre (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • 2020: Adult Material airs (4 episodes) (IMDb)
  • 2024: Blitz released (IMDb)
  • 2026: The Night Manager season 2 in post-production (IMDb)
4What’s next

Six facts that define her professional profile at a glance:

Attribute Detail
Born 16 April 1988
Birthplace Forest Hill, London, England
Nationality English
Occupation Actress and playwright
Years active 2011–present
Notable award Nominated – British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer (I, Daniel Blake)

B-Side Management (talent agency) notes this award nomination alongside her BAFTA and Emmy recognition.

Who is Hayley Squires?

Hayley Squires is an English actress and playwright born in Forest Hill, South London. Rotten Tomatoes confirms her birth date as 16 April 1988, and IMDb (database) lists the same. She grew up in southeast London and trained at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup, graduating in 2010 with a BA (Hons) in Acting, according to Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia).

Early life and education

  • Born and raised in Forest Hill, London
  • Graduated Rose Bruford College in 2010
  • First play Vera Vera Vera produced by the Royal Court Theatre in 2012 (Rotten Tomatoes)

Career beginnings

She began on stage, writing her own material early on. Her debut play caught the attention of theatre programmers, and she soon transitioned to screen. B-Side Management describes her as earning international recognition with her BAFTA-nominated performance in Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or–winning I, Daniel Blake.

Bottom line: Squires broke into the industry via theatre and a standout debut play, then used her BAFTA-nominated film role to launch a screen career.

The implication: Her early commitment to playwriting set her apart from many screen actors and gave her a unique creative footing.

What else has Hayley Squires been in?

Her filmography spans a decade and includes both art-house hits and mainstream limited series. Rotten Tomatoes (movie review aggregator) lists her film credits, while Apple TV (streaming platform) catalogues her TV work.

Film appearances

  • Blood Cells (2014) – 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • I, Daniel Blake (2016) – 92% critics score (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Away (2016)
  • Happy New Year, Colin Burstead (2018)
  • In Fabric (2018)
  • The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)
  • Beau Is Afraid (2023)
  • Hoard (2023) – 94% critics score (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Blitz (2024) – role Tilda (IMDb)

Television roles

  • Southcliffe (2013)
  • Call the Midwife – Maureen Warren
  • Complicit, Murder (2016)
  • Collateral (2018)
  • Electric Dreams (2018)
  • Adult Material (2020) – Jolene Dollar, 4 episodes (IMDb)
  • The Essex Serpent (2022) – Martha, 6 episodes (IMDb)
  • Great Expectations (2023) – Sara, 5 episodes (IMDb)
  • The Night Manager season 2 (2026) – Sally Price-Jones, 2 episodes (IMDb)

Stage work

  • Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Young Vic
  • The Collection / The Lover – Harold Pinter Theatre
  • Death of England: Closing Time – National Theatre (B-Side Management)
The pattern

Squires has moved fluidly between art-house film (A24, Ken Loach), prestige BBC/ITV dramas, and the West End stage — a versatility that few actors her age can claim.

What this means: Her filmography shows deliberate choices: she favours character-led, often socially conscious projects over commercial blockbusters.

Bottom line: Squires’ filmography spans art-house films and prestige limited series, demonstrating her range beyond a single genre.

What is Hayley Squires doing now?

Squires is currently starring in The Death of England: Closing Time on Apple TV+, a filmed version of the National Theatre stage production. WhatsOnStage (theatre industry publication) reports she is also filming Legends for Netflix. Her management bio adds that she recently wrapped season 2 of The Night Manager opposite Tom Hiddleston for the BBC and Amazon MGM (B-Side Management).

  • Death of England: Closing Time – available now on Apple TV+
  • The Night Manager season 2 – post-production, expected 2026
  • Legends – currently filming for Netflix
The catch

While her management and trade press cite these projects, no official studio press release has confirmed Netflix’s Legends or a specific release date for Night Manager season 2.

Why this matters: If both projects land in 2026, Squires will have three major screen credits in a single year — a signal that her profile is climbing rapidly.

Who did Hayley Squires play in Call the Midwife?

Hayley Squires played Maureen Warren in the long-running BBC drama Call the Midwife. The role is confirmed by IMDb (database) and listed in the Apple TV (streaming platform) biography.

Maureen Warren appeared in a multi-episode arc during the show’s series, demonstrating Squires’ ability to bring depth to guest roles in long-running franchises.

Takeaway: Even a supporting role on a long-running drama adds weight to her CV, demonstrating that she is equally comfortable in period medical drama and contemporary social realism.

Who is Sally in Night Manager 2?

In the upcoming second season of The Night Manager, Hayley Squires portrays a character named Sally (full name Sally Price-Jones, per IMDb). She appears across two episodes opposite Tom Hiddleston. B-Side Management notes she recently wrapped filming for the BBC and Amazon MGM production.

Details about the character remain under wraps, but the casting places her inside one of the most anticipated limited series of 2026.

The trade-off: High-profile spy-thriller sequels come with bigger audiences but also less creative control — a shift from the writer-led indie projects she built her reputation on.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born 16 April 1988 in Forest Hill, London (Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb)
  • English nationality
  • Actress and playwright
  • Played Katie in I, Daniel Blake (B-Side Management)

What’s unclear

  • Marital status (not confirmed in top sources)
  • Exact height (not listed on Wikipedia or IMDb)
  • Ethnicity (not specified in provided sources)
  • Accent (presumed southern English but not officially stated)
  • Official release dates for Legends and Night Manager season 2
  • BAFTA nomination for I, Daniel Blake (reported by management)
  • International Emmy win for Adult Material (reported by management)

“Hayley earned international recognition with her BAFTA-nominated performance in Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or winning I, Daniel Blake.”

— B-Side Management (talent agency)

“Her acclaimed performance as Jolene in Adult Material earned her a BAFTA nomination and an International Emmy win.”

— B-Side Management

“She recently wrapped filming on season 2 of The Night Manager opposite Tom Hiddleston for the BBC and Amazon MGM.”

— B-Side Management

“Hayley Squires is an English actress and playwright, best known for her work in the Ken Loach film I, Daniel Blake.”

— Rotten Tomatoes

For fans of British television and film, the picture is clear: Squires is no longer a rising talent — she has arrived. The coming year will determine whether she becomes a household name or remains a critically adored mainstay. Either way, her blend of stage craft, social-realist grit, and prestige-TV polish sets her apart from the pack.

Related reading: **John Rhys-Davies: Biography, Height, Net Worth & Roles** · **Cynthia Erivo: Biography, Sexuality, Disowned, Baldness & More**

Frequently asked questions

How old is Hayley Squires?

She was born on 16 April 1988, making her 36 as of 2024 (Rotten Tomatoes).

Where was Hayley Squires born?

Forest Hill, South London, England, UK (Rotten Tomatoes).

What is Hayley Squires’ nationality?

English (Rotten Tomatoes).

What is Hayley Squires’ most famous role?

She is best known for playing Katie in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake (B-Side Management).

Is Hayley Squires married?

Her marital status has not been confirmed by reliable sources — it remains unclear.

How tall is Hayley Squires?

Her height is not listed on Wikipedia or IMDb, so it is not publicly confirmed.

What accent does Hayley Squires have?

She was born and raised in South London, so she likely has a southern English accent, but this has not been officially stated.