Nazanin Boniadi

Nazanin Boniadi

Born: May 22, 1980
in Tehran, Iran
Nazanin Boniadi was born in Tehran, Iran, at the height of the Iranian Revolution; her parents relocated to London shortly thereafter. She performed violin and ballet as a young girl.

She attended a private high school and later moved to the United States where she earned a bachelor's degree, with honors, in biological sciences from the University of California, Irvine. At UCI, she won the Chang Pin-Chun Undergraduate Research Award for molecular research involving cancer treatment and heart transplant rejection. She was also Assistant Editor-in-Chief of MedTimes, UCI's undergraduate medical newspaper.

Nazanin Boniadi is rapidly making her mark in both film and television. She co-starred as CIA analyst Fara Sherazi on seasons three and four of the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama Homeland (2011), for which she shared a 2015 SAG Award nomination in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series category. Boniadi appeared in the 2016 MGM-Paramount remake of Ben-Hur. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the film stars Ms. Boniadi in the female lead role of Esther opposite Jack Huston, Morgan Freeman and Toby Kebbell. She will next appear in a leading role opposite Armie Hammer and Dev Patel in Anthony Maras's Hotel Mumbai.

Among her many television credits, Boniadi portrayed Nora, a relatively longstanding love interest to Neil Patrick Harris's Barney Stinson, in seasons six and seven of How I Met Your Mother (2005). She also appeared as the notorious Adnan Salif in season three of Shonda Rhimes' hit political drama Scandal (2012). She will next star alongside J.K. Simmons in the original Starz series Counterpart (2017), created by Justin Marks and Executive Produced by Morten Tyldum.

On film, Boniadi appeared as Amira Ahmed in Jon Favreau's Iron Man (2008) and portrayed a young mother, Elaine, in Paul Haggis' The Next Three Days (2010). She also has several independent features to her credit.

Born in Tehran at the height of the Iranian Revolution, Boniadi's parents relocated to London, England, shortly thereafter, where she was raised with an emphasis on education. While she was involved in theatre early in life, Boniadi later decided she wanted to become a physician. She moved to the United States at the age of 19 to attend the University of California, Irvine, where she received her Bachelor's Degree, with Honors (Dean's Academic Achievement and Service Award) in Biological Sciences, and won the "Chang Pin Chun" Undergraduate Research Award for her work in heart-transplant rejection and cancer research.

Switching gears to pursue her first love, Boniadi then decided to study acting, which included training in Contemporary Drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London under the supervision of dramaturge Lloyd Trott.

Boniadi is fluent in both English and Persian. She is a dedicated human rights activist. Boniadi served as a spokesperson for Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) 2009-2015, and continues to partner with the non-profit as an AIUSA Artist of Conscience.

Movies for Nazanin Boniadi...

The Voice of Dust and Ash
Title: The Voice of Dust and Ash
Released: November 18, 2022
Type: Movie
When Iran’s ayatollah banned music and performances in the entire country, instruments and records became contraband, and artists were exiled, imprisoned, or executed. As the new government began to crush basic human rights, Maestro Shajarian risked everything to confront the regime, singing truth to power and uniting the country in a chorus of millions strong. His life long pursuit of equality through art is immortalized for generations to come, through his majestic, soaring vocals and lyrics. His internationally renowned hymn, “MORGHE SAHAR”, performed at the finale of all his concerts is widely considered the Unofficial National Anthem for Iranian Freedom.
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Title: Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
Released: September 4, 2022
Type: TV
The big names behind the big stories. Laura Kuenssberg talks to those making the news, inside and outside politics.
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Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Character: Bronwyn
Released: September 1, 2022
Type: TV
Beginning in a time of relative peace, we follow an ensemble cast of characters as they confront the re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Global Fan Screening
Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Global Fan Screening
Character: Bronwyn
Released: August 31, 2022
Type: Movie
An edited version of the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, shown exclusively to fans in cinemas around the world in August 2022. In a time of relative peace, an ensemble cast of characters confronts the re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.
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Bombshell
Title: Bombshell
Character: Rudi Bakhtiar
Released: December 13, 2019
Type: Movie
Bombshell is a revealing look inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time; and the explosive story of the women who brought down the infamous man who created it.
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Title: The Kelly Clarkson Show
Released: September 9, 2019
Type: TV
Kelly Clarkson presents the biggest newsmakers and names in film, television and music; as well as emerging new talent and everyday people who are beacons of hope in their communities.
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Title: Tamron Hall
Character: Self - Guest
Released: September 9, 2019
Type: TV
Former news host and journalist Tamron Hall discusses all things topical and engages those she interviews in thorough meaningful and entertaining conversations.
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Hotel Mumbai
Title: Hotel Mumbai
Character: Zahra
Released: March 14, 2019
Type: Movie
Mumbai, India, November 26, 2008. While several terrorists spread hatred and death through the city, others attack the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Both hotel staff and guests risk their lives, making unthinkable sacrifices to protect themselves and keep everyone safe while help arrives.
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Title: Counterpart
Character: Clare
Released: December 10, 2017
Type: TV
Howard Silk is a lowly cog in a bureaucratic UN agency who is turning the last corner of a life filled with regret when he discovers the agency he works for is guarding a secret: a crossing to a parallel dimension.
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Passengers
Title: Passengers
Character: Wake-up Hologram (uncredited)
Released: December 21, 2016
Type: Movie
A spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in its sleep chambers. As a result, two passengers are awakened 90 years early.
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Ben-Hur
Title: Ben-Hur
Character: Esther
Released: August 17, 2016
Type: Movie
A falsely accused nobleman survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him.
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Zoolander 2
Title: Zoolander 2
Character: 'Old and Lame' Show Attendee
Released: February 6, 2016
Type: Movie
Derek and Hansel are modelling again when an opposing company attempts to take them out from the business.
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Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
Title: Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 25, 2015
Type: Movie
GOING CLEAR intimately profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, shining a light on how they attract true believers and the things they do in the name of religion.
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Desert Dancer
Title: Desert Dancer
Character: Parisa Ghaffarian
Released: July 3, 2014
Type: Movie
Inspirational true story of Iranian dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, who risked his life for his dream to become a dancer despite a nationwide dancing ban.
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Shirin in Love
Title: Shirin in Love
Character: Shirin
Released: March 14, 2014
Type: Movie
Despite being engaged to a successful Iranian plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Shirin finds herself falling for a mysterious young man who lives in a lighthouse in northern California.
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Title: Go On
Character: Hannah
Released: August 8, 2012
Type: TV
Ryan King, a recent widower and sports talk radio host ready to get back to work after the loss of his wife. Ryan's alpha-male boss, Stephen, has a different plan in store for Ryan, making him attend grief counseling before returning to the air. A reluctant Ryan finds himself in a support group for "life change," where he meets an oddball cast of characters, all with their own backstories filled with varying degrees of loss.
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Title: Scandal
Character: Adnan Salif
Released: April 5, 2012
Type: TV
Everyone has secrets and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the elite by keeping those secrets under wraps. Pope and her team are at the top of their game when it comes to getting the job done for their clients, but it becomes apparent that these "gladiators in suits," who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, have trouble fixing those closest at hand -- their own.
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A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Title: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Character: The Girl
Released: December 31, 2011
Type: Movie
A girl walks home alone at night and a man follows her with insidious intentions, but when he gets to her apartment, she turns the tables in the most surprising way…with her fangs.
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Title: Homeland
Character: Fara Sherazi
Released: October 2, 2011
Type: TV
CIA officer Carrie Mathison is tops in her field despite being bipolar, which makes her volatile and unpredictable. With the help of her long-time mentor Saul Berenson, Carrie fearlessly risks everything, including her personal well-being and even sanity, at every turn.
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Title: Suits
Character: Lauren Pearl
Released: June 23, 2011
Type: TV
While running from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross, a brilliant young college-dropout, slips into a job interview with one of New York City's best legal closers, Harvey Specter. Tired of cookie-cutter law school grads, Harvey takes a gamble by hiring Mike on the spot after he recognizes his raw talent and photographic memory.
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The Next Three Days
Title: The Next Three Days
Character: Elaine
Released: November 18, 2010
Type: Movie
A married couple's life is turned upside down when the wife is accused of murdering her boss. Her husband John would spend the next few years trying to get her released, but there's no evidence that negates the evidence against her. When the strain of being separated from her husband and son gets to her, John decides to find a way to break her out.
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Title: The Deep End
Released: January 21, 2010
Type: TV
The tragedies and triumphs of five earnest twenty-something first-year associates fighting to stay afloat in one of Los Angeles' top law firms.
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Diplomacy
Title: Diplomacy
Character: Persian Interpreter
Released: July 10, 2009
Type: Movie
Relations between the United States and Iran take an unexpected turn when two diplomats and their interpreters meet for closed-door negotiations.
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Shades of Ray
Title: Shades of Ray
Character: Farah
Released: October 18, 2008
Type: Movie
American-born Ray Rehman comes home one night to find his Pakistani father on his doorstep. Ray's Caucasian mother threw him out. It's an awkward time for his father to move in as Ray just proposed to his Caucasian girlfriend - who hasn't given him an answer. While trying to get his parents back together, Ray meets a South Asian girl of mixed descent, just like him, and must decide where his identity truly lies.
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Iron Man
Title: Iron Man
Character: Amira Ahmed
Released: April 30, 2008
Type: Movie
After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.
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Charlie Wilson's War
Title: Charlie Wilson's War
Character: Afghan Refugee Woman (uncredited)
Released: December 19, 2007
Type: Movie
The true story of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets had some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.
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Title: General Hospital: Night Shift
Character: Leyla Mir
Released: July 12, 2007
Type: TV
General Hospital: Night Shift is an American prime time serial that first aired on Soapnet for a 13-episode run from July 12, 2007 to October 4, 2007. A spin-off of the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital, the show is SOAPnet's first original scripted drama series and follows the nighttime adventures of familiar and new characters around the hospital. As of March 2008, the first season of the series was "SOAPnet's most watched series ever," with ABC Daytime and SOAPnet President Brian Frons noting that Night Shift drew more than 1 million new viewers to the channel during its first season. With its reruns gaining higher ratings than those of General Hospital on SOAPnet, a second season was expected, though Frons noted that the same crew producing two shows had taken its toll. It was announced in May 2008 that Lisa de Cazotte would serve as Executive producer for season two, joined by Head writer Sri Rao. The 14 new episodes of Night Shift began taping in high-definition in June 2008, with the series airing Tuesdays at 11 p.m. and premiering on July 22, 2008. SOAPnet said the second season "will feature new and returning characters as well as the return of 'legacy' characters from GH. In addition, the continuity between story lines on Night Shift and GH will match." The second season finished its run on October 21, 2008.
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Title: How I Met Your Mother
Character: Nora
Released: September 19, 2005
Type: TV
A father recounts to his children - through a series of flashbacks - the journey he and his four best friends took leading up to him meeting their mother.
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Title: Grey's Anatomy
Character: Amrita
Released: March 27, 2005
Type: TV
Follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
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Title: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Character: Nurse Lauren
Released: October 6, 2000
Type: TV
A Las Vegas team of forensic investigators are trained to solve criminal cases by scouring the crime scene, collecting irrefutable evidence and finding the missing pieces that solve the mystery.