Orla's formative years were characterized by a significant relocation from Zambia to Ireland, a move that transpired when she was merely five years old, amidst the gentle guidance of her Irish parents. Her mother played a pivotal role in fostering a diverse array of extracurricular pursuits, including the study of three distinct instruments, ballet, and gymnastics, from an extremely young age.
As Orla transitioned into the pivotal phase of adolescence, she serendipitously stumbled upon a profound affinity for the dynamic and expressive world of drama, which ultimately led her to enroll in a reputable drama school at the tender age of 13.
Years of dedicated training and honing her craft finally culminated in her professional stage debut at the impressionable age of 16, where she took to the stage with aplomb in the thought-provoking production "Adult Child/Dead Child".
After the culmination of her educational endeavors, Orla embarked on a far-reaching journey of extensive travel, during which she simultaneously took on a series of minor acting roles to hone her craft and gain valuable experience.
Subsequently, she decided to pursue a degree in film and broadcasting, which ultimately led to her landing her first regular role as Sinead Kelly in the highly acclaimed and award-winning television show "The Clinic".
Orla's formative years in the entertainment industry were marked by her involvement in a multitude of significant projects, one of which was the television production "Malice Aforethought" directed by the renowned filmmaker David Blair, which garnered widespread attention and acclaim.
Orla's professional journey did not come to a halt with the attainment of her academic credentials. Instead, she persisted in exploring a diverse range of creative endeavors, her portfolio expanding to encompass esteemed productions such as the long-running British medical drama "Casualty". Moreover, she had the opportunity to collaborate with acclaimed filmmakers, including Daniel Barber, on the feature film "Harry Brown", which boasted an impressive cast comprising the venerable Michael Caine, the talented Emily Mortimer, and the accomplished Charlie Creed-Miles.
Furthermore, her more recent professional undertakings have seen her featured in prominent television series, including the BBC 1 production "Case Histories", which starred the versatile Jason Isaacs, and the HBO/SKY co-production "Strike Back II", which boasted the impressive presence of Liam Cunningham.
Orla's extensive career has been characterized by a steadfast emphasis on the paramount significance of versatility for actors. She has consistently advocated for the notion that acquiring a wide range of experiences in various aspects of work and life serves to keep the mind perpetually educated and engaged, thereby affording actors with a plethora of life resources to draw upon in their professional endeavors.
In her professional opinion, Orla firmly believes that an actor's leisure time should be judiciously utilized to augment their craft and explore novel opportunities, thereby fostering a sense of continuous growth and development.
