Hayley Squires is an English actress and playwright who rose to prominence after her breakthrough performance in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake. Born in Forest Hill, South London, in , she has built a career spanning independent film, British television, and stage work. Her natural South London accent, her BAFTA nomination, and her ongoing projects keep her in the public eye.
How Old Is Hayley Squires?
Hayley Squires was born on in Forest Hill, London, England. As of 2026, she is 38 years old. Her birth name is Hayley McGinty, though she is professionally known as Hayley Squires. She studied acting at Rose Bruford College, graduating in 2010.
- Hayley Squires is a BAFTA-nominated English actress and playwright, most widely recognised for her role in I, Daniel Blake.
- Her career spans independent film, British television (Call the Midwife, Adult Material), and stage work including Death of England plays.
- Her South London upbringing is the root of her natural accent, which audiences frequently ask about.
- Publicly documented personal data beyond her birth date and birthplace is scarce — height and parents are not confirmed in reliable sources.
- Searches mixing “Hayley” with EastEnders characters suggest audience confusion with soap-opera figures, not actual career links.
Hayley Squires — Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hayley Squires |
| Birth Date | 16 April 1988 |
| Birthplace | Forest Hill, London, England, UK |
| Age | 38 (as of 2026) |
| Occupation | Actress, Playwright |
| Breakthrough Role | Katie Morgan — I, Daniel Blake (2016) |
| Other Notable Works | Beau Is Afraid (2023), Adult Material (2020), The War of the Worlds (2019), In Fabric (2018) |
| @hayzsquires — 18K followers | |
| Wikipedia | Available (en.wikipedia.org) |
| Known For Accent | South London / Estuary English |
Hayley Squires Height
Hayley Squires’s height is not published on Wikipedia, IMDb, or her Instagram account. No reliable source provides a verified figure. This detail remains unconfirmed.
Hayley Squires Parents
According to several sources, her mother worked as a school cook and her father managed a video shop. She grew up with her parents and an older brother. However, no names or further details have been publicly verified.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Hayley Squires Appeared In?
Squires’s filmography includes both independent films and major television series. Her breakout role was in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake (2016), for which she received a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress and won the British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also won the Evening Standard British Film Award for her performance.
Her film credits include Blood Cells, A Royal Night Out, Beau Is Afraid, Complicit, and Away. On television, she has appeared in Call the Midwife, Southcliffe, Murder, Collateral, Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams, Adult Material, The Essex Serpent, Great Expectations, and The Night Manager (season 2). Her film and television work has established her as one of the British actresses to watch.
Squires’s natural South London accent is often noted in reviews and interviews. No source explicitly labels her accent, but based on her birthplace and upbringing, it is most accurately described as South London / Estuary English.
Was Hayley Squires in Kidulthood?
No. Hayley Squires is not listed in the cast of Kidulthood on Wikipedia, IMDb, or Apple TV. There is no credible evidence she appeared in the film. This appears to be audience confusion with another performer with a similar name.
What Accent Does Hayley Squires Have?
Hayley Squires speaks with a natural South London accent, shaped by her upbringing in Forest Hill, South London. Although no source labels her accent explicitly, this is the most defensible description based on her biography. Her accent has been an asset in roles that require authenticity, particularly in Ken Loach’s socially realist films.
Does Hayley Squires Have a Wikipedia Page?
Yes, Hayley Squires has a Wikipedia page. It identifies her as an English actress and playwright, lists her birth date and place, and provides a career overview, filmography, and early life details. The page is regularly updated.
What is Hayley Squires’s Instagram?
Her verified Instagram handle is @hayzsquires with approximately 18,000 followers. She posts updates on current projects, behind-the-scenes content, and personal highlights.
Timeline of Hayley Squires’s Career
- 1988 — Born in Forest Hill, South London on 16 April.
- 2013 — Early television roles in Southcliffe (Channel 4) and Breathless (ITV).
- 2014 — Appeared in Murdered by My Boyfriend (BBC Three) and Blood Cells.
- 2016 — Breakthrough performance as Katie Morgan in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake; won the British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- 2018 — Starred in In Fabric (Peter Strickland); began stage work in Death of England series.
- 2019 — Appeared in BBC’s The War of the Worlds and the film Days of Bagnold Summer.
- 2020 — Lead role in Channel 4’s Adult Material.
- 2023 — Cast in Ari Aster’s Beau Is Afraid; appeared in BBC’s The Gallows Pole.
- 2024/2025 — Ongoing projects: The Night (London) and Death of England: Closing Time.
What Is Known and What Is Unknown About Hayley Squires?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 16 April 1988 in Forest Hill, London. | Height: not published on Wikipedia, IMDb, or Instagram. |
| English actress and playwright, best known for I, Daniel Blake. | Parents: no verifiable public information beyond occupations. |
| Instagram handle is @hayzsquires with ~18K followers. | Kidulthood: not listed in her filmography — this appears to be confusion with another performer. |
| Has a Wikipedia page and an IMDb page. | — |
| Her natural accent is a South London accent. | — |
Searches related to “Hayley” and EastEnders characters (such as Zoe, Kat, or Bianca) are not connected to Hayley Squires’s career. These are likely artifacts of soap-opera character searches and should not be mistaken for actual roles.
What Is the Significance of Her South London Accent?
Hayley Squires’s South London accent has become a defining feature of her on-screen presence. In Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake, her authentic working-class voice aligned with the film’s social realism, reinforcing Loach’s tradition of casting actors who reflect the communities they portray. As a playwright, her theatre work — including Death of England: Closing Time — further demonstrates her versatility beyond acting.
What Are the Main Sources of Information About Hayley Squires?
The most reliable sources for biographical and career data include:
- Wikipedia — birth data, career overview, filmography.
- IMDb — birthplace, professional credits, known-for titles.
- The Guardian — cultural highlights, interview quotes.
- Apple TV — filmography summary and streaming availability.
- Instagram (@hayzsquires) — first-person updates on current projects.
- British Independent Film Awards — award details and recognition.
“I used to argue with everyone” — a quote from Squires in a Guardian interview, reflecting her early determination.
Key Takeaway: What Is the Most Important Thing to Know About Hayley Squires?
Hayley Squires is a BAFTA-nominated English actress and playwright whose career continues to grow across film, television, and stage. Her breakthrough in I, Daniel Blake established her as a talent to watch, and her South London accent remains a distinctive part of her identity. For the latest updates, follow her on Instagram or explore Best Ken Loach films and performances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Hayley Squires’s parents?
Hayley Squires has not publicly shared the names or occupations of her parents in reliable sources. This detail remains unverified.
How tall is Hayley Squires?
Her height is not published on Wikipedia, IMDb, or Instagram. No reliable source provides a verified figure.
Is Hayley Squires in Kidulthood?
No. She is not listed in the cast of Kidulthood on any credible source. This appears to be confusion with another performer.
What is Hayley Squires’s Instagram handle?
Her verified Instagram handle is @hayzsquires with approximately 18,000 followers.
Does Hayley Squires have a Wikipedia page?
Yes, she has a Wikipedia page that includes her birth date, career overview, and filmography.
What accent does Hayley Squires have?
She speaks with a natural South London accent, consistent with her upbringing in Forest Hill.
What was Hayley Squires’s breakthrough role?
Her breakthrough role was Katie Morgan in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake (2016), for which she received a BAFTA nomination.
What TV shows has Hayley Squires been in?
She has appeared in Call the Midwife, Southcliffe, Adult Material, The Essex Serpent, Great Expectations, and The Night Manager, among others.
Is Hayley Squires a playwright?
Yes, she is also a playwright. Her early stage work includes Vera Vera Vera at the Royal Court’s Young Writers Festival.
Where did Hayley Squires study?
She studied at Rose Bruford College and graduated in 2010 with a BA in Acting.
Daniel Mercer is Business & Economy Correspondent at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering regional business news, local economy, employment, retail and property.