Orla was born in Zambia to Irish parents, commencing her life journey in a foreign land. At the tender age of five, she made the significant move back to Ireland with her mother, who ensured that her early years were filled with a plethora of activities, including the study of three instruments, ballet, and gymnastics.
As she entered her teenage years, Orla discovered her passion for drama school at the age of 13, and by 16, she had already made her professional theatre debut in the production "Adult Child/ Dead Child".
After completing her education, Orla embarked on a journey of extensive traveling and minor acting roles, before undertaking a degree in film and broadcasting. During her studies, she secured her first regular role as Sinead Kelly in the award-winning television show "The Clinic". Soon after, she worked on ITV's "Malice Aforethought" for director David Blair and her first Irish feature film "The Front Line" for director David Gleeson.
Following her graduation, Orla continued to work on various projects, including the British medical drama "Casualty" and Daniel Barber's "Harry Brown", alongside renowned actors Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, and Charlie Creed-Miles. Her most recent work includes "Case Histories" for BBC 1, starring Jason Isaacs, and HBO/SKY's "Strike Back II", featuring Liam Cunningham.
Orla firmly believes that versatility is a crucial aspect of an actor's career. She emphasizes that while training is essential, experience in different areas of work and life keeps one's mind educated and active, providing a wealth of life resources to draw upon. She advises actors to make the most of their spare time, using it to further hone their craft and expand their horizons.
