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Last updated on the 26 March 2025 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 18 September 1980, London, England.
Adeel Akhtar, a name synonymous with versatility and talent in the British acting scene, was born in London to a Pakistani father and an Indo-Kenyan mother. His early life was marked by a blend of cultures, which would later enrich his portrayals of complex characters.
Educated at Cheltenham College, Akhtar initially pursued a degree in law from Oxford Brookes University, a path laid out by parental expectations. However, a burgeoning passion for acting ignited within him, leading to a pivotal decision to abandon the legal world in favour of dramatic arts.
Seeking to sharpen his craft, Akhtar ventured to New York City, immersing himself in the vibrant theatre scene. He trained at the esteemed Actors Studio Drama School, under the guidance of renowned acting coaches. This transformative period laid the foundation for his career, equipping him with the skills and confidence to tackle diverse roles.
Adeel Akhtar’s journey to recognition was marked by a series of compelling performances across film, television and theatre. His breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed comedy-drama “Four Lions,” where he portrayed the endearingly misguided Faisal, a character that showcased his comedic timing and ability to blend humour with pathos.
Subsequent years saw Akhtar delivering standout performances in projects such as “The Night Manager,” “Utopia,” and “Murdered by My Father.” His portrayal of the latter earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor, a historic achievement as the first non-white actor to win in this category. This recognition solidified his status as a leading figure in British television.
Adeel Akhtar’s career trajectory is a testament to his talent, perseverance and unwavering dedication to his craft. From his early days as a law student to becoming a celebrated actor, his journey is an inspiration to aspiring performers. With each new role, he continues to captivate audiences and expand the boundaries of his artistic abilities.
In 2017 he married Alexis Burke and they have a boy and a girl.
WINNER | Television: Leading Actor for Murdered by My Father (2017) | Television: Supporting Actor for Sherwood (2023)
Suggested viewing
Capital (2015)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.8
In a rapidly gentrifying London neighbourhood, residents of a once modest street receive mysterious postcards stating, “We want what you have.” Initially dismissed as a marketing ploy, the notes soon incite fear and suspicion among the diverse inhabitants, from long-time residents to affluent newcomers, revealing underlying tensions and the impact of economic disparity on their lives.
Top cast: Adeel Akhtar, Toby Jones, Gemma Jones, Wunmi Mosaku, Danny Ashok, Hamza Jeetooa , Robert Emms, Rachael Stirling, Lesley Sharp, Mona Goodwin.
Fool Me Once (2024)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.9
Maya Stern, a widow struggling to cope with her husband’s murder, is thrown into a whirlwind of danger when she sees images of her supposedly deceased husband on her nanny cam. Determined to uncover the truth, Maya embarks on a perilous journey that takes her deep into the heart of a conspiracy that has been festering for years. With every step she takes, Maya finds herself entangled in a web of deceit that threatens her life and the lives of those she holds dear.
Top cast: Michelle Keegan, Richard Armitage, Adeel Akhtar, Dino Fetscher, Marcus Garvey, Natalie Anderson, Jade Anouka, Frederick Szkoda, Natalia Kostrzewa, Joanna Lumley, Hattie Morahan.
Sherwood (2022)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4
In a community already torn apart, two gruesome murders send shockwaves through the people, triggering a massive manhunt that would go down in British history. The hunt not only seeks justice for the victims but also risks reigniting deep-rooted divisions caused by the Miners’ Strike, which occurred thirty years earlier.
Top cast: David Morrissey, Robert Glenister, Lesley Manville, Adeel Akhtar, Joanne Froggatt, Claire Rushbrook, Kevin Doyle, Lorraine Ashbourne, Philip Jackson, Alun Armstrong, Andrea Lowe.
Four Lions (2010)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.3
“Four Lions” is a satirical dark comedy film that follows a group of bumbling British jihadists planning a terrorist attack. With a blend of humour and social commentary, the movie explores themes of extremism, identity and the absurdity of terrorism. It challenges stereotypes, while offering a thought-provoking perspective on the subject.
Top cast: Riz Ahmed, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak, Adeel Akhtar, Arsher Al, Preeya Kalida, Benedict Cumberbatch , Julia Davis, Craig Parkinson.
The Night Manager (2016)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 8.0
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.
Top cast: Tom Hiddleston, Sarafina King, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Coleman, Tom Hollander, Elizabeth Debicki, Alistair Petrie, Natasha Little, Douglas Hodge, David Harewood.
Murdered by My Father (2016)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4
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 suitor 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?
Top cast: Adeel Akhtar, Kiran Sonia Sawar, Mawaan Rizwan, Salman Akhtar, Reiss Jeram, Ambreen Razia, Simon Nagra, Vineeta Rishi.
Related to
Utopia (2013)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.4
“Utopia” is a British conspiracy thriller series that revolves around a group of strangers who come into possession of a graphic novel manuscript called “The Utopia Experiments.” As they delve deeper into the dark secrets hidden within the pages, they become targets of a sinister organisation determined to keep the truth hidden at any cost.
Top cast: Adeel Akhtar, Paul Higgins, Neil Maskell, Fiona O’Shaughnessy, Alexandra Roach, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Oliver Woollford, Alistair Petrie, Ruth Gemmell.
River (2015)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.0
“River” is a TV series that follows detective John River, who struggles with his own sanity while investigating the murder of his partner. Haunted by a voice of the dead, River becomes deeply entangled in the case, blurring the line between reality and his own troubled mind.
Top cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Nicola Walker, Adeel Akhtar, Lesley Maniville, Owen Teale, Georgina Rich, Eddie Marsan, Turlough Convery, Sorcha Cusack.
Enola Holmes (2020)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.6
“Enola Holmes” is a mystery film based on the book series by Nancy Springer. Enola, the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes, embarks on a thrilling adventure to find her missing mother. Along the way, she unravels a larger conspiracy, defies societal expectations and showcases her own sharp intellect and bravery.
Top cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge, Adeel Akhtar, Fiona Shaw, Frances de la Tour, Burn Gorman.
Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7
Following in the footsteps of her famous brother, Enola Holmes embarks on her inaugural investigation as a freelance detective. Tasked with locating a disappeared young girl, she soon finds herself entangled in a perilous web of conspiracy. Unravelling this enigma calls for the aid of her allies, including the renowned Sherlock Holmes, as the stakes grow higher.
Top cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, Helena Bonham Carter, David Thewlis, Susan Wokoma, Adeel Akhtar, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Hannah Dodd.
