Following her split from footballer Ruben Dias, Maya Jama has offered a revealing insight into what she now considers the qualities of a true gentleman. The Love Island presenter, 32, explained that her expectations go far beyond traditional gestures such as opening doors, being polite, or remembering to say “please” and “thank you.” For Maya, a gentleman in the modern world should be a decent and well-mannered man who has his own life under control, understands how to treat a woman properly, and shows the same level of care and respect toward his family and the people around him. With a touch of humour, she also admitted that looking good in a smart suit most of the time would certainly add to the appeal.

Maya shared her thoughts while promoting the second season of The Gentlemen, the Netflix crime drama in which she makes her acting debut as Aisha. Asked what the word “gentleman” means to her, she acknowledged that the traditional definition immediately brings to mind someone who is courteous, opens doors, and behaves respectfully. However, she suggested that expectations have evolved and that good manners alone are no longer enough. Instead, she described a gentleman as someone who is emotionally and practically responsible, has “their stuff under control,” and knows how to treat not only a romantic partner but also their family and everyone else in their life. Her comments give a clear picture of the standards she values in a relationship after experiencing a highly publicised romance with Ruben.

Maya and Manchester City star Ruben Dias ended their relationship in May after around 18 months together. Their separation came only four months after the couple had moved into a home together in Cheshire, making the breakup particularly notable. Following the split, both Maya and Ruben removed traces of each other from their social media accounts. Sources indicated that the pair had reached the conclusion that their relationship had simply “run its course,” with both facing increasingly demanding periods in their professional lives. Although neither has publicly suggested that the separation was caused by a dramatic falling-out, the timing of Maya’s comments about the qualities she wants in a man has naturally attracted attention.

Away from her personal life, Maya has been enjoying a major new chapter in her career with The Gentlemen. Her appearance as Aisha marks her first acting role and represents a significant step for a presenter who has already established herself as one of television’s most recognisable personalities. The second season, created in the world of Guy Ritchie’s stylish crime drama, was released on Thursday, giving Maya the opportunity to make her screen debut in a high-profile production. She also attended the series premiere on Wednesday, where she made an especially memorable impression in a daring leather gown custom-made by R&M Leathers and styled by Rhea Francois. Her glamorous red-carpet appearance added another layer of excitement to what was already an important professional milestone.

In the series, Aisha is introduced early in the first episode when she arrives at Halstead Manor, the ancestral home inherited by Eddie Horniman, played by Theo James. Before Aisha speaks, Susie gives Eddie some background information about her old friend, describing her as a clever woman who looks after herself and others. Aisha has moved to the Middle East for work and has subsequently gained access to a royal circle. She arrives at the shooting weekend alongside Prince Amir and introduces him to Eddie and Susie, presenting the wealthy royal as a potentially valuable business connection. Maya delivers her first lines in the familiar south London accent audiences know from her presenting career, greeting the group warmly before introducing Prince Amir as His Excellency, Prince Amir bin Abdullah al-Hadidi.

The transition into acting was a significant challenge for Maya, but she received encouragement from her co-star Kaya Scodelario. Before Maya began her first major acting experience, Kaya, 34, contacted her privately and warned her to expect the unexpected. She told Grazia that she wanted Maya to “be ready to be on her toes” and trust the process because she understood how intimidating it could be to enter a new stage of a career. Kaya also recognised similarities between their backgrounds, describing herself as a working-class actor and explaining that she wanted to support Maya as another woman from a working-class background. Having been raised by her Brazilian mother and experienced the feeling of being a minority in professional environments, Kaya said she wanted to make sure her fellow co-star knew she had someone looking out for her.

Maya has spoken openly about coming from a background with very little money and having no established connections in the entertainment industry. She moved from Bristol to London at just 16 and built her career without the advantages that can come from having family or professional links within the industry. Kaya similarly recalled leaving home at 16 after beginning her acting career, having only £36.50 in her bank account. For both women, their experiences have shaped the way they approach the entertainment business. Kaya said she can still feel like a minority as a working-class actor, particularly at industry events where very few people share her background. That shared understanding helped her connect with Maya and encouraged her to offer support before the presenter stepped into unfamiliar territory.

For Maya, The Gentlemen represented what she considered a safe and exciting way to finally pursue a long-held ambition to act. She auditioned for the role of Aisha last year and learned that she had secured the part less than two weeks later. Determined to take the opportunity seriously, she worked with a drama coach to prepare herself and has made it clear that she never wanted to attempt something new without putting in the necessary effort. As she begins this new phase while also reflecting on what she wants from a future partner, Maya appears focused on both personal standards and professional growth. Her definition of a gentleman—someone respectful, responsible, confident enough to have his life together, and capable of treating the people around him well—may sound simple, but following her split from Ruben, it has offered fans a particularly revealing glimpse into the qualities she now considers important.