Motunrayo Omoniyi

Motunrayo Omoniyi, professionally known as Morayo Akandé, is a British-Nigerian actress, screenwriter, and filmmaker. She is best known for writing and starring in the critically acclaimed historical drama 1745, a film that explores the often-overlooked history of slavery in Scotland. Through her storytelling, she has helped bring attention to an important chapter of Black British history and has earned recognition for creating thoughtful, socially relevant films. She trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has built a career that combines acting with writing, often focusing on stories that highlight underrepresented voices. She has also been involved in developing a feature-length adaptation of 1745 while continuing to appear in film and television projects.