Maya Jama Joins The Gentlemen Season 2 and Talks Acting

Maya Jama on ‘Love Island’s’ Global Success and Finally Pursuing Acting With ‘The Gentlemen’ Role: ‘It’s Always Been in the Back of My Mind’

Maya Jama has officially conquered the world of reality television, but as she enters 2026, she is setting her sights on a long-held ambition: the silver screen. In a recent interview with Variety, the Love Island host opened up about the global explosion of the dating franchise and her "overwhelming" experience joining the second season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit, The Gentlemen.

The Global Phenomenon of Love Island

Since taking the reins of the UK mothership in 2023, Jama has overseen a massive expansion of the Love Island brand. With the success of Love Island Games and the high-octane Love Island: All Stars—currently airing its third series in early 2026—the show has transitioned from a British staple to a global juggernaut.

"It’s not my whole life, but it’s fun," Jama remarked when asked about her future with the series."As long as I enjoy it, I’ll keep it up." Despite rumors of her departure, she confirmed she has "no plans to leave yet," even as her acting portfolio begins to take flight.

A "Proper" Acting Debut in The Gentlemen

While Jama previously made a brief cameo in Katherine Ryan’s The Duchess, her role in The Gentlemen Season 2 marks her first significant acting challenge.Cast alongside Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, and Hugh Bonneville, Jama described the experience of being on a Guy Ritchie set as both terrifying and exhilarating.

• The Audition: Unlike many celebrity cameos, Jama insisted on a "proper audition" to prove she had the chops for the role.

• The Ritchie Method: She revealed that Ritchie often changes lines on the fly."I’d spent two days learning every line, locked in, and then as soon as I got there, he was like, 'Maybe we’ll add this or change this.' I thought, 'F*** me, in front of all these icons?!'"

• A Safe Entry: Jama was able to keep her natural Bristol accent for the character, which she described as a "safe entrance point" into a more demanding dramatic environment.

"In the Presence of Greatness"

During production, the cast stayed on Ritchie’s sprawling country estate, an experience Jama called "nuts."Spending evenings having drinks with the leads helped ease the "overwhelming" pressure of her first day on set, which featured all the show's heavy hitters in a single room.

"It’s always been in the back of my mind," she said of her pivot to acting. "I've just been so busy with presenting that I've never had the chance to pursue it. I never want to do something and it be s***, so I was like, if I’m going to do it, I want to train and get as good as I can."

What’s Next for Maya Jama?

As she balances her judging duties on The Masked Singer with her hosting and new acting ventures, 2026 is shaping up to be Jama's most versatile year yet. With The Gentlemen Season 2 expected to drop on Netflix later this year, audiences will finally see if the UK's favorite presenter can transition into a bona fide screen star.

Source - https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/maya-jama-love-island-global-success-the-gentlemen-acting-debut-1236630831/

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