As the conflicted DCI Harry Virdee, Nair was a magnetic force
An incredible wave of British South Asian actors has been central to shattering the narrow image British television once held.
A seismic shift has been taking place on our screens, not with a sudden jolt, but with the steady, undeniable arrival of talent that has reshaped the landscape.
This new generation, alongside those who paved the way, moved from the periphery to the very heart of our most-watched dramas, comedies, and soaps.
They became part of immersive stories, bringing a richness and authenticity that has been long overdue.
These performers delivered portrayals that were specific yet universal, complex, and utterly compelling.
Here are 10 British South Asian actors making waves on UK TV.
Staz Nair
It’s rare for a lead role to feel both brand new and long overdue, but Staz Nair managed just that in the BBC’s gritty crime drama, Virdee.
As the conflicted DCI Harry Virdee, Nair was a magnetic force, navigating a brutal case while torn from his family.
He brought a raw physicality, as seen in a recurring role in Game of Thrones, but he balanced it with a deep-seated vulnerability that anchored the entire series.
Nair’s performance was a masterclass in the complexities of the modern leading man, proving he could carry a primetime drama with compelling intensity.
Varada Sethu
The role of the Doctor’s companion is one of British television’s most iconic, and Varada Sethu made it entirely her own.
As Belinda Chandra, she brought a sharp, inquisitive energy that perfectly complemented the Doctor’s chaotic brilliance.
Her character was no damsel in distress but a capable and courageous adventurer in her own right.
And while Sethu’s role in Doctor Who may have been many people’s introduction to her, she is a familiar face to sci-fi fans.
She portrayed Cinta Kaz in the Emmy Award-winning Star Wars series Andor.
This proved she was more than ready to take on a pop culture institution and inspire a whole new generation of viewers.
Danyal Zafar
The path to stardom has changed, and Danyal Zafar is a prime example.
The 19-year-old was cast in the fifth and final series of Man Like Mobeen after auditioning via a Zoom call from his bedroom.
As Moped, Zafar demonstrated an effortless comedic timing that suggested years of experience, holding his own against the show’s seasoned cast.
His debut was a breath of fresh air, a testament not only to his natural talent but also to how new avenues are opening up for young actors to get their foot in the door and make an immediate impact.
Ambika Mod
Few roles come with as much pressure as Emma Morley in Netflix’s One Day, but Ambika Mod delivered a performance that was not only critically acclaimed but felt definitive.
She captured the wit, heartbreak, and hope of a character beloved by millions, becoming a global star in the process.
This came on the heels of her acclaimed role in This Is Going to Hurt, establishing her as one of the most compelling British South Asian talents.
In 2025’s Disney+ thriller The Stolen Girl, Ambika Mod continued to make bold, fascinating choices, cementing her place at the industry’s top table.
Aaron Thiara
Playing a villain in a soap is a tightrope walk, but Aaron Thiara navigated it with exceptional skill in EastEnders.
As the ruthless but devoted father Ravi Gulati, Thiara created a character that viewers loved to hate, and occasionally, couldn’t help but root for.
He peeled back the layers of a classic soap villain to reveal a complex man driven by loyalty and a dark past.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Thiara was at the centre of the show’s most explosive storylines, proving his ability to deliver high-stakes drama on a relentless schedule.
Priya Kansara
Priya Kansara made her acting debut in Netflix’s Bridgerton.
But she exploded onto the international scene with her star-making turn in the coming-of-age film Polite Society.
Afterwards, all eyes were on what the actress would do next.
She answered by taking a role in the ambitious 2025 BBC period drama Dope Girls, a series chronicling the all-female crime empires of 1920s Soho.
As nightclub dancer Lily, Kansara showcased a completely different side to her talent, swapping martial arts for the gritty, high-stakes world of London’s underworld.
Rishi Nair
In the quintessentially English world of Grantchester, Rishi Nair’s portrayal as Vicar Alphy Kottaram brought a breezy cool to the ITV detective drama.
He’s cheeky and appears remarkably confident.
But there are a few things that have struck a nerve for him.
Nair previously played Sami Maalik in Hollyoaks between 2017 and 2021.
He also had a role in Count Abdulla, which sees a British-Pakistani doctor become a vampire.
Anjli Mohindra
Anjli Mohindra has had numerous, albeit brief, roles on British TV.
From The Inbetweeners to The Missing, Mohindra has explored a variety of genres.
One of her most prominent roles was in Bodyguard, playing would-be suicide bomber Nadia Ali.
Her lead role as Rebecca in the Amazon Prime thriller Fear was a powerful showcase of her talent.
As Rebecca, she and her husband relocate to Glasgow. But their neighbour’s unsettling remarks hint at a sinister situation unfolding around their new home.
Mohindra’s performance was a tour de force of raw emotion, drawing viewers into her character’s terror with every scene.
Assad Zaman
British actor Assad Zaman has featured in the period drama Hotel Portofino and regularly performed onstage.
He is known for his role in BBC’s Apple Tree Yard, which follows a conflicted, moderately unhappily-married scientist, who begins a covert yet flagrant affair.
But Zaman captivated a global audience with his phenomenal performance in AMC’s Interview with the Vampire.
He played Armand, a 514-year-old vampire who is Louis’ (Jacob Anderson) current turned former lover. He saves Daniel’s (Eric Bogosian) life during the first interview.
Armand first appears under the disguise of Rashid, Louis’s dutiful servant.
Aaliyah James
Making a splash in a national institution like EastEnders is no small feat for a newcomer, but Aaliyah James managed it with flair.
As Avani Nandra-Hart, the surprise daughter of Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), she has injected a fiery and independent spirit into Albert Square since 2023.
James demonstrated a natural screen presence from her very first scene, holding her own in dramatic confrontations with the soap’s veterans.
Her character quickly became a fan favourite, and James established herself as one of the most exciting young British South Asian talents.
These 10 British South Asian actors showed that change in television has come through acting of the highest calibre.
Their performances were not simply milestones in representation but powerful reminders of what great acting can achieve: characters who are complex, memorable, and deeply human.
Each one brought a distinct voice and craft to the screen, whether leading primetime dramas or redefining soap storylines.
Together, they demonstrated that South Asian actors are no longer proving they belong; they are shaping the very standards of television through their talent, versatility, and artistry.
Loading ...