Edyll Ismail

Edyll Ismail
Born1997 (age 28–29)
Melbourne, Australia
Occupation
  • Actress
Years active2021–present

Edyll Ismail (/ɪdɪʟ ɪz.mɑːˈiːl /) is an Australian actress and model. She is best known for playing Leyla in the sci-fi series La Brea and Zuri in the horror thriller film Send Help.

Early life

Ismail was born in 1997 in Melbourne, Australia to parents from Somalia. Her family moved to Perth at the age of 5. Before becoming interested in acting, she studied Archaeology and Korean language at the University of Western Australia.[1] She graduated with a degree in Acting from West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2023.[2]

Career

Her first professional theatre debut was at Perth Festival where she performed in the play Whistleblower. Her first appearance on screen came in the short film Forever.[3] In her graduating year at WAAPA, Edyll landed the role of Leyla in the NBC sci-fi series La Brea[4] which introduced her to international audiences. She then gained international recognition as Zuri, the fiancée of Bradley (Dylan O'Brien) in the horror thriller film Send Help starring Rachel McAdams.[5][6] Ismail also played one of the convicts in 4 episodes of the comedy Ghosts: Australia.[7]

Personal life

During her time at WAAPA, Ismail founded Tell Your Story, a program developed alongside Kalkidan Forward and WAAPA faculty members Gabrielle Metcalf and Emele Ugavule. The project focused on diversifying the performing arts by creating access to free training for young actors from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. [8]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2023 Forever Portia Short
2021 Button Pusher Madka Short
2026 Send Help Zuri
2026 Hooyo Samira Short Writer/Director
2026 Lol, Good Luck Woman Short

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2024 La Brea Leyla 5 episodes
2025 Ghosts Convict #3 4 episodes

References

  1. ^ "THE CONVERSATION: EDYLL ISMAIL BY ROB TENNENT AND BIANCA FARMAKIS". side-now.com. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  2. ^ "Acting Alumni - 2023". waapa.ecu.edu.au. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  3. ^ "THE CONVERSATION: EDYLL ISMAIL BY ROB TENNENT AND BIANCA FARMAKIS". side-now.com. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  4. ^ "How Perth's Edyll Ismail overcame her doubts to pursue her acting dreams". thewest.com.au. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  5. ^ "Send Help: Sam Raimi Doesn't Hate Romance, He Just Knows Where It Hurts". original-cin.ca. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  6. ^ "Send Help Review: This Giggle-Inducing Nastiness Is Exactly What I Want From Sam Raimi". cinemablend.com. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  7. ^ "Ghosts: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  8. ^ "Tell Your Story arts initiative aiming to improve arts accessibility". perthnow.com.au. Retrieved February 27, 2026.