Leyla Brodie

Leyla was widowed when her only child Adeeb was a toddler.

She spent many years as a single mum, relying on her parents for practical support, whilst earning a living as a medical rep. She gave up her career to support her second husband, Michael Brodie, with his new Shieldinch GP practice.

With a university background, Leyla is bright, forthright, and fearless. She's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and to fight for what's right.

Michael and Leyla had a tempestuous relationship – thanks to his Army background, he was used to getting his own way and people following his orders. Their marriage was new but full of promise…until infidelity, manslaughter and alcoholism took hold.

Leyla’s biggest challenge was being step-mum to unruly and ungrateful teenager Nicole, Michael’s daughter from his first marriage. In the early days of their move to Shieldinch, everything and anything Nicole did was a headache for Leyla. These days, single mother Nicole needs Leyla more than ever.

Usually the reliable, sensible one, Leyla played with fire when she started an affair with Michael’s brother, Gabriel. Well they do say that opposites attract…

When Michael killed Cammy, Leyla was left alone to raise their family while he languished in prison. Alone and ashamed, Leyla sought comfort from a bottle and became an alcoholic. However, Michael’s death in prison was a wake-up call for Leyla who left Shieldinch to seek help in rehab only to return to support new mum Nicole and baby Grace. But with social services now involved after Nicole left Grace home-alone on Christmas Eve, Leyla knows she has a fight on her hands to keep the family together.

Maryam plays Leyla Brodie in River City.

Joined River City - 2010
From - Wherever I hang my hat! Born in Iran, grew up in Essex and Cheshire and been kicking about Scotland for 12 years now
Star Sign - Capricorn
Loves - Hanging out with my new baby girl - it is more fun than I ever imagined it'd be.
Loathes - Sorry to be Vitcor Meldrew about this, but people who drop litter on the street or don't clean up their dog's poo
TV Treat - Too many to list, but most recently Orange is the New Black on Netflix and Luther on BBC, although series 3 was almost a bit too scary for me!