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Meet Isla Atkinson: The Daughter of Comedian Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean)

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isla atkinson

If you’re the 90s or 2000s child, you’ve probably heard of the beloved British comedy character Mr Bean, brought to life by Rowan Atkinson. The show garnered immense popularity during its five-year-long run. Atkinson, the prominent comedian, is a proud parent of three children. Ben and Lily were born to his former wife, Sunetra Sastry, whom he met on the set of Blackadder and eventually divorced. In 2017, he welcomed his third child, Isla, with his girlfriend Louise Ford, with whom he’s been in a relationship since 2013. In this article, we will delve into the details of Isla Atkinson’s birth, nationality, and her famous parents.

Birth and Nationality 

Isla Atkinson, who is of English descent, was born in the United Kingdom in 2017, making her five years old. The exact date and place of her birth remain undisclosed. Rowan Atkinson and Louise Ford are her father and mother, respectively, and although Isla is their only biological child, she has a stepmother, Sunetra Sastry, and two half-siblings, Benjamin and Lily.

Isla Atkinson- Siblings

Benjamin Atkinson

Benjamin Atkinson was born on 9th September 1993 and is the firstborn of Rowan Atkinson and Sunetra Shastry. Benjamin chose to follow a divergent career path and joined the British military. In 2016, he was accepted at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, where he underwent a rigorous 44-week training program to become a British army officer. Benjamin’s career progression was closely followed by the media, and in 2019, he made headlines when he travelled to Nepal to join the Gurkha army. During his ten-week stint, Benjamin learned the Nepalese language, and his dedication and enthusiasm earned him widespread respect.

Lily Shastry

Lily Shastry

Lily Shastry was born in 1995 to actor Rowan Atkinson and her mom is a makeup artist named Sunetra Sastry. Lily is really good at singing and burlesque dancing. She made her acting debut in 2004 in a movie called Tooth. It’s about a Tooth Fairy who can’t do spells anymore. She was in two of her dad’s movies, too. One was Mr Bean’s Holiday, and the other was Johnny English Reborn. Later, Lily stopped acting and started doing cabaret because she really loves singing. With the support of her father, she recorded her own songs and began performing in well-known London clubs. Her first major show, held at The Pheasantry, was a sold-out success.

Critics loved Lily’s burlesque performances and sultry jazz numbers. She went on to perform her one-woman show at the West End, receiving rave reviews and accolades. She continued to host successful performances throughout the UK and her talent was noted as “fresh” and “powerful” by critics. With her raw talent and unique charm, Lily has made a firm name for herself in the entertainment industry.

After her parent’s divorce in 2015, Lily Atkinson changed her last name from her father’s to her mother’s and adopted the name, Lily Shastry. The reasons for it are unknown. Her dad said he was going to have a baby with his girlfriend. But even though Lily changed her name, she still has a nice relationship with her dad. She even went with him to see his movie called Johnny English Strikes Again in 2019. There was no indication of resentment or ill-will between them, and they seemed as close as ever.

Parents of Isla Atkinson 

Rowan Atkinson- Father 

Comedian MR. BEAN

Rowan Atkinson is a highly reputed British actor, comedian, and writer who earned worldwide recognition for his iconic character, Mr Bean. He is also renowned for his portrayal of Edmund Blackadder in the British historical sitcom, Blackadder. 

After graduating from Oxford University, Atkinson kicked off his career as a comedic actor. He performed in many stage productions, followed by a breakthrough performance in the British satirical comedy television series, Not the Nine O’Clock News. Atkinson’s career spanned over four decades, wherein he has acted in numerous films. 

His acting credits include Love Actually, Johnny English, and Bean, and he has also lent his voice to several animated productions, such as The Lion King. Alongside his acting career, Atkinson has written scripts for several TV shows, including Blackadder, The Thin Blue Line, and Mr Bean. 

Atkinson is a man of multiple talents and is highly passionate about cars, especially vintage ones. He is an accomplished racing driver and has competed in several races, like the Aston Martin Owners Club Race at Oulton Park. Throughout his illustrious career, Atkinson has received various awards and accolades, including BAFTA awards and Ivor Novello awards. His exceptional comedic timing, physical comedy, and witty dialogue have earned him a place among the greatest comedic actors of all time.

Louise Ford- Mother 

Louise Ford mother Isla Atkinson

Louise Ford, the mother of Isla Atkinson, is a talented actress and comedian, who was born in 1981. She gained recognition for her roles as Jane in the 2012 sports drama “Fast Girls” and as Kate in the 2016 comedy series “Crashing.” Most recently, she played the role of Kate Middleton in “The Windsors” TV comedy Royal Wedding Special. 

Louise’s career has always been aligned with comedy, which ultimately led to her encounter with Rowan Atkinson. Their professional paths crossed during the West End production of “Quartermaine’s Terms” in 2012, after which they made their relationship public in 2014. 

Before being with Rowan, Louise dated comedian James Acaster for two years. However, their love story ended, and she became involved with Rowan Atkinson, who is known to be 28 years her senior. Following his split from his ex-wife, Rowan invited Louise to move in with him in his prime North London residence, estimated to be worth £4.65 million ($ 5.64 million).

Rowan Atkinson’s Career Break for Parenting Daughter Isla

 isla atkinson father rowan atkinson

Rowan Atkinson surprised fans and colleagues alike when he announced his decision to take a hiatus from acting to become a stay-at-home parent following the birth of his daughter, Isla Atkinson. The decision was unexpected, given that he had a long and illustrious career in show business that spanned several decades.

In 2017, Rowan and his partner Louise Ford welcomed their daughter and affectionately named her ‘Baby Bean,’ a nod to Rowan’s beloved character. Speaking about his career break, Rowan said, “I am going to take care of Baby Bean while Louise has the chance to concentrate on acting.”

According to sources close to Rowan, he was overjoyed to be a full-time parent and spend more time with his daughter. The “Blackadder” star has always been a dedicated father and loves spending time with Isla. She has inherited her father’s mischievousness, and he lovingly calls her “Baby Bean.”

Rowan’s break from acting came after the release of his 2018 film “Johnny English Strikes Again.” He had given his all to his acting career for most of his life, and now he cherishes a chance to take a step back and relax with his family. The break also allows his partner, Louise, to focus on her acting career without any distractions. 

Bottom Line

While Rowan Atkinson is best known for his comedic roles, he is equally devoted to his family. Isla Atkinson, his youngest daughter, has been a shining light in his life and has brought smiles to his face. Rowan’s decision to take a career break to spend quality time with his daughter and be a hands-on parent is commendable. It sends a positive message about the importance of family and the joys of parenthood. We wish Rowan, Louise, and their adorable daughter, Isla, all the happiness and love in the world. Bean famously said, “Life’s like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get.” Well, for Rowan, Isla’s been the best surprise ever!

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Amanda Mills

By Amanda Mills

I am a marketing communication and administrative professional with over 5+ years of experience. My experience encompasses strategic marketing, office administration, public speaking, blogging, and creative content.