Adeel Akhtar

Adeel Akhtar

Born: September 18, 1980
in London, England, UK
Akhtar is known for the bumbling Muslim extremist Faisal in Chris Morris's film Four Lions. Other comedic performances include Gupta in The Angelos Epithemiou Show, Maroush in The Dictator and Smee in Joe Wright and Pan.

Akhtar has also won acclaim for his dramatic performances: in 2015, he was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for his 2014 role as Wilson Wilson on Channel 4's Utopia. He played shopkeeper Ahmed alongside Toby Jones in the BBC mini-series Capital, and DS Ira King in the BBC's River. Reviewing River in The Daily Telegraph, Michael Hogan wrote, "This series was beautifully written by Abi Morgan, stylishly directed, and most of all, superbly acted. The quieter, less showy supporting players also shone. Not just stalwarts [...] but fresher faces: Adeel Akhtar as River's endlessly patient sidekick and Georgina Rich as his psychiatrist".

In 2016 Akhtar appeared as Shahzad in the BBC one-off drama Murdered by My Father. He won the 2017 BAFTA award for Lead Actor for this role, the first non-white actor to do so. He also appeared as Rob Singhal in the acclaimed BBC miniseries based on John le Carré's The Night Manager.

Adeel became a patron of Half Moon Theatre in autumn 2016.

Movies for Adeel Akhtar...

Title: Fool Me Once
Character: Sami Kierce
Released: January 1, 2024
Type: TV
When ex-soldier Maya sees her murdered husband on a secret nanny cam, she uncovers a deadly conspiracy that stretches deep into the past.
bee
Dickens: Phantoms and Fiction
Title: Dickens: Phantoms and Fiction
Character: Readings
Released: December 21, 2023
Type: Movie
Captivating documentary exploring the haunting world of Charles Dickens' supernatural tales through actor readings, archive footage and immersive visuals
bee
The Puppet Asylum
Title: The Puppet Asylum
Character: The Narrator
Released: September 1, 2023
Type: Movie
Otto Baxter, a filmmaker with Down's Syndrome, directs and stars in this musical horror-comedy short based on his life, set in Victorian London.
bee
Murder Mystery 2
Title: Murder Mystery 2
Character: The Maharajah
Released: March 28, 2023
Type: Movie
After starting their own detective agency, Nick and Audrey Spitz land a career-making case when their billionaire pal is kidnapped from his wedding.
bee
Enola Holmes 2
Title: Enola Holmes 2
Character: Lestrade
Released: November 30, 2022
Type: Movie
Now a detective-for-hire like her infamous brother, Enola Holmes takes on her first official case to find a missing girl, as the sparks of a dangerous conspiracy ignite a mystery that requires the help of friends — and Sherlock himself — to unravel.
bee
Title: Sherwood
Character: Andy Fisher
Released: June 13, 2022
Type: TV
Two murders shatter an already fractured community leading to one of the largest manhunts in British history while threatening to inflame historic divisions sparked during the Miners' Strike three decades before.
bee
Save the Cinema
Title: Save the Cinema
Character: Tom
Released: January 14, 2022
Type: Movie
The true story of Liz Evans, a hairdresser and leader of a youth theatre in Carmarthen, Wales, who began a campaign in 1993 to save the Lyric theatre from closure. Alongside then Mayor of Carmarthen Richard Goodridge, they enlisted the help of Steven Spielberg, securing a special premiere of Jurassic Park.
bee
Ali & Ava
Title: Ali & Ava
Character: Ali
Released: November 12, 2021
Type: Movie
Sparks fly after Ali and Ava meet through their shared affection for Sofia, the child of Ali’s tenants whom Ava teaches. Ali finds comfort in Ava’s warmth and kindness while Ava finds Ali’s complexity and humour irresistible. As the pair begin to form a deep connection they have to find a way to keep their newfound passion from being overshadowed by the stresses and struggles of their separate lives and histories.​
bee
Title: Showtrial
Character: Sam Gill
Released: October 31, 2021
Type: TV
An anthology series of hotly contested criminal trials that divides the nation and take place in the full glare of the media spotlight.
bee
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Title: The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Character: Dan Rider
Released: October 21, 2021
Type: Movie
The extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain, whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever.
bee
Robin Robin
Title: Robin Robin
Character: Dad Mouse (voice)
Released: October 9, 2021
Type: Movie
A bird raised by mice begins to question where she belongs and sets off on a daring journey of self-discovery.
bee
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Title: Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Character: Iman Masood
Released: September 10, 2021
Type: Movie
Jamie New is 16 and doesn’t quite fit in—instead of pursuing a "real" career he dreams of becoming a drag queen. Uncertain about his future, Jamie knows one thing for sure: he is going to be a sensation. Supported by his loving mom and his amazing friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
bee
Title: Sweet Tooth
Character: Dr. Aditya Singh
Released: June 4, 2021
Type: TV
On a perilous adventure across a post-apocalyptic world, a lovable boy who's half-human and half-deer searches for a new beginning with a gruff protector.
bee
Enola Holmes
Title: Enola Holmes
Character: Lestrade
Released: September 23, 2020
Type: Movie
While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord.
bee
The Nest
Title: The Nest
Character: Steve
Released: May 8, 2020
Type: Movie
Rory is an ambitious entrepreneur who brings his American wife and kids to his native country, England, to explore new business opportunities. After abandoning the sanctuary of their safe American suburban surroundings, the family is plunged into the despair of an archaic '80s Britain and their unaffordable new life in an English manor house threatens to destroy the family.
bee
Raagni - The Movie
Title: Raagni - The Movie
Character: Maulana Wahdi
Released: November 15, 2019
Type: Movie
RAAAGNI THE MOVIE - is a British bilingual film for cinema release, dialogues (English /Urdu, though mainly in English). The film is set in London and is based on the struggles of an unknown aspiring musician.
bee
The Show
Title: The Show
Character: Carpenter
Released: June 16, 2019
Type: Movie
Sometimes the drama backstage is better than anything on it... Sometimes the drama backstage threatens to destroy everything on it.
bee
Murder Mystery
Title: Murder Mystery
Character: The Maharajah
Released: May 25, 2019
Type: Movie
On a long-awaited trip to Europe, a New York City cop and his hairdresser wife scramble to solve a baffling murder aboard a billionaire's yacht.
bee
Title: Back to Life
Character: Billy
Released: April 15, 2019
Type: TV
When Miri Matteson returns home after eighteen years, can she integrate back into her old life? With a terrible event from her past hanging over her, it won’t be easy.
bee
Title: Les Misérables
Character: Thénardier
Released: December 30, 2018
Type: TV
France, 1815. Jean Valjean, a common thief, is released from prison after having lived a hell in life for 19 years, but a small mistake puts the law again on his trail. Ruthless Inspector Javert pursues him thorough years, driven by a twisted sense of justice, while Valjean reforms himself, thrives and dedicates his life to good deeds. In 1832, while the revolution ravages the streets of Paris, Valjean and Javert cross their paths for the last time.
bee
Swimming with Men
Title: Swimming with Men
Character: Kurt
Released: July 6, 2018
Type: Movie
A man who is suffering a mid-life crisis finds new meaning in his life as part of an all-male, middle-aged, amateur synchronised swimming team.
bee
Title: Killing Eve
Character: Martin
Released: April 8, 2018
Type: TV
A security consultant hunts for a ruthless assassin. Equally obsessed with each other, they go head to head in an epic game of cat-and-mouse.
bee
Title: Ghosted
Character: Dr. Barry Shaw
Released: October 1, 2017
Type: TV
A skeptic is forced to work with a firm believer of the paranormal on unexplained occurrences in Los Angeles.
bee
Victoria & Abdul
Title: Victoria & Abdul
Character: Mohammed
Released: September 13, 2017
Type: Movie
Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.
bee
Hampstead
Title: Hampstead
Character: Donald's Lawyer
Released: June 23, 2017
Type: Movie
Emily Walters is an American widow living a peaceful, uneventful existence in the idyllic Hampstead Village of London, when she meets local recluse, Donald Horner. For 17 years, Donald has lived—wildly yet peacefully—in a ramshackle hut near the edge of the forest. When Emily learns his home is the target of developers who will stop at nothing to remove him, saving Donald and his property becomes her personal mission. Despite his gruff exterior and polite refusals for help, Emily is drawn to him—as he is to her—and what begins as a charitable cause evolves into a relationship that will grow even as the bulldozers close in.
bee
The Big Sick
Title: The Big Sick
Character: Naveed Nanjiani
Released: March 30, 2017
Type: Movie
Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family's expectations, and his true feelings.
bee
The Last Dragonslayer
Title: The Last Dragonslayer
Character: Mr. Brittles
Released: December 25, 2016
Type: Movie
In a fantasy world where magic is being superceded by technology, an orphaned teen discovers her destiny to become a dragonslayer.
bee
The Circuit
Title: The Circuit
Character: Gabe
Released: August 25, 2016
Type: Movie
Newly arrived in town Nat and Gabe accept a dinner invitation from the volatile Hungarian Helene and her boorish husband Sasha. Whilst the other guests, ex-Bananarama member Marty, Angie, who 'makes bullets' and the supposedly suicidal Danny are affable enough, Nat and Gabe are shocked by their hosts' very public rows and Gabe's attempt at peace-making is awkwardly received. Nat is taken aback when virtual stranger Helene confides in her about Sasha's suspected infidelity and Gabe is rudely rebuffed when he tries to have a heart to heart with Sasha. After Helene physically attacks her husband the newcomers are desperate to leave but when Danny drops a bombshell Gabe is torn between responsibility and the easy way out.
bee
Murdered by My Father
Title: Murdered by My Father
Character: Shahzad
Released: March 29, 2016
Type: Movie
Every parent wants the best for their kids, and Shahzad is no exception. Ever since his wife died, he's been trying to keep his two kids Salma and Hassan on track. Salma is growing up quickly, and Shahzad wants to make sure she's set up with the right guy to settle down with It's a promise he made his wife, and part of what he considers his duty as a dad. But what does Salma want? Unbeknown to Shahzad, she's caught up in a whirlwind romance with charismatic charmer Imi. Salma knows Imi is not what her dad is expecting, but can she find a way to make everyone happy? A hard-hitting drama with a devastating finale, Murdered by My Father is a story about the power and the limits of love in communities where 'honour' means everything.
bee
Title: The Night Manager
Character: Rob Singhal
Released: February 21, 2016
Type: TV
Former British soldier Jonathan Pine navigates the shadowy recesses of Whitehall and Washington where an unholy alliance operates between the intelligence community and the secret arms trade. To infiltrate the inner circle of lethal arms dealer Richard Onslow Roper, Pine must himself become a criminal.
bee
Title: Capital
Character: Ahmed
Released: November 24, 2015
Type: TV
Set on a single street in South London, Capital is a portrait of a road transformed by soaring property prices: what was once the home of modest lower-middle class families, Pepys Road has been continuously gentrified into a street of multimillion pound houses. On one day, the people of this South London street all receive an anonymous postcard with the simple message 'we want what you have'. Its unsettling ripples affect every corner of the community.
bee
Title: River
Character: Ira King
Released: October 13, 2015
Type: TV
Respected police officer John River, a gifted cop with a troubled mind, struggles to come to terms with the recent loss of a colleague, and chases a suspect across London - with tragic consequences. Now at odds with the authorities, River ends up in a precarious position as he seeks to bring closure to the mother of murdered teenager, who blames him for failing to keep his promise.
bee
Convenience
Title: Convenience
Character: Shaan
Released: October 2, 2015
Type: Movie
Two friends attempt to rob a petrol station but are so useless that they end up working there all night.
bee
Pan
Title: Pan
Character: Sam Smiegel
Released: September 24, 2015
Type: Movie
Living a bleak existence at a London orphanage, 12-year-old Peter finds himself whisked away to the fantastical world of Neverland. Adventure awaits as he meets new friend James Hook and the warrior Tiger Lily. They must band together to save Neverland from the ruthless pirate Blackbeard. Along the way, the rebellious and mischievous boy discovers his true destiny, becoming the hero forever known as Peter Pan.
bee
War Book
Title: War Book
Character: Mo
Released: August 7, 2015
Type: Movie
Government officials practice their response and decisions in a simulated escalation of nuclear threat.
bee
Keeping Up with the Joneses
Title: Keeping Up with the Joneses
Character: Jerry
Released: October 18, 2013
Type: Movie
MP's wife Celia discovers her husband's true colours when she is taken hostage by his criminal business associates.
bee
Jadoo
Title: Jadoo
Character: Vinod
Released: September 6, 2013
Type: Movie
This comedy revolves around two brothers, both wonderful chefs, who fall out catastrophically. At the climax of their dispute they rip the family recipe book in half - one brother gets the starters and the other gets the main courses. They set up rival restaurants, across the road from each other, and spend the next twenty years trying to out-do each other. Neither brother will admit it but they both know they are not entirely successful in the 'other half' of the menu. It takes a daughter - a successful corporate lawyer marrying a man from a very different background - to reunite them. She is planning her marriage and is determined that they will both cook the wedding banquet.
bee
Title: The Job Lot
Character: George Dhot
Released: April 29, 2013
Type: TV
The daily troubles of the people who work in a busy West Midlands Job Centre, and the people who don’t work there, or anywhere else for that matter.
bee
Stranger Things
Title: Stranger Things
Character: Mani
Released: April 5, 2013
Type: Movie
Oona, a recent graduate in anthropology, has returned to her dead mother’s seaside cottage in southern England to prepare it for sale. Her arrival disturbs Mani, a wary vagrant who has been squatting on the property.
bee
Title: Utopia
Character: Wilson Wilson
Released: January 15, 2013
Type: TV
The Utopia Experiments is a legendary graphic novel shrouded in mystery. When a group of strangers find themselves in possession of an original manuscript, their lives suddenly and brutally implode.
bee
Title: The Angelos Epithemiou Show
Character: Gupta
Released: July 13, 2012
Type: TV
Angelos Epithemiou presents his own six-part studio entertainment show with best mate and sidekick Gupta, while love interest Gabby Logan appears throughout the series and the guests have to earn the right to be on the show by facing some crazy challenges...
bee
The Dictator
Title: The Dictator
Character: Maroush
Released: May 15, 2012
Type: Movie
The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.
bee
Four Lions
Title: Four Lions
Character: Faisal
Released: May 7, 2010
Type: Movie
A group of Muslim men living in Sheffield hatch an inept plan to become suicide bombers.
bee
Traitor
Title: Traitor
Character: Hamzi
Released: August 23, 2008
Type: Movie
When straight arrow FBI agent Roy Clayton heads up the investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy, all clues seem to lead back to former U.S. Special Operations officer Samir Horn.
bee
Title: Conviction
Character: Darpan Banerjee
Released: March 3, 2006
Type: TV
A fast-paced character-oriented story, focuses on the lives and loves of the young assistant district attorneys in New York, following their career paths as these passionate but naive ADAs are confronted with tough, emotional cases that challenge their limited experience – and force them to mature quickly or be overwhelmed.
bee
Title: Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Character: Hazim
Released: September 30, 2001
Type: TV
The third installment of the “Law & Order” franchise takes viewers deep into the minds of its criminals while following the intense psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve its crimes.