Who is Laura Aikman, the actress who plays Smithy's girlfriend Sonia in Gavin and Stacey?
A major highlight from the 2019 Gavin & Stacey special was the revelation that Smithy has a girlfriend, and it's not Nessa. Instead, Smithy (played by James Corden) is in a relationship with Sonia, leading to some awkward baby talk over the phone until she arrives in Barry.
Portrayed by actress Laura Aikman, Sonia isn't too thrilled with the situation at Uncle Bryn's and doesn't quite connect with the unusual habits of the Wests and Nessa.
So, where might you have encountered Laura previously?
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Smithy (played by James Corden) and his new girlfriend Sonia (portrayed by Laura Aikman) - Image credit: BBC
The answer is: in many areas, in fact! Let's explore and learn more about the actress.
"Discovering Laura Aikman: Who Is She?"
Laura, who celebrates her birthday on Christmas Eve, is 38 years old and has an extensive acting resume that began in 1996 with her role in the movie Surviving Picasso, featuring Anthony Hopkins. She is married to Matthew Kennard, a former star of the show Doctors, who will appear in the upcoming film We Live in Time alongside Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh.
What Outfit Should We Choose For Laura?
In 2023, Laura played a key role in the ITVX biographical series about Cary Grant, titled Archie. She portrayed Dyan Cannon, a Hollywood actress known for her performances in classics like Heaven Can Wait and Bob & Ted & Carol & Alice during the 1960s, and who was married to Grant for three years. Additionally, Laura took part in another prominent ITV drama called Joan, acting alongside Sophie Turner.
Laura Aikman playing Val in the ITV drama Joan - Photo: ITV
Since 2019, Laura has appeared in the shows Breeders and Grace. Prior to her work on Gavin & Stacey, she had notable roles in well-known UK dramas like Casualty and Waterloo Road. In Casualty, she portrayed May Phelps for two years, and in 2015, she played Lorna Hutchinson in Waterloo Road.
Laura (middle) in Bluestone 42 - Photo: TV Screenshot
She has also been part of the ITV drama Liar, sharing the screen with Ioan Gruffudd and Joanna Froggatt.
Laura is a well-known personality in British comedy, having been featured in a variety of shows including Citizen Khan, Bluestone 42, The Job Lot, That Mitchell and Webb Look, and she played the role of Rosie in Keith Lemon: The Film.
She also starred alongside Adrian Edmondson in Teenage Kicks, featured in BBC Three's Personal Affairs, and participated in the children's program The Mysti Show.
What occurs to Sonia in Gavin & Stacey?
In the 2019 special, she arrives late on Christmas Day and is clearly not happy with the sleeping setup. She frustrates the family by making comments about Smithy's size and wondering why Nessa decided to gift everyone taps for the holiday.
In the end, she decided to leave early to be with her family, which meant that Smithy was left behind in Barry.
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You can watch the final episode of Gavin and Stacey on BBC iPlayer.
