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Ambika Mod
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Ambika Bhakti Mod (/ˈʌmbɪkə ˈbʌkti ˈmoʊd/; born 2 October 1995)[1][2] is a British actress, comedian, and writer. She is best known for her roles in the BBC drama series This Is Going to Hurt (2022) and the Netflix miniseries One Day (2024), for which she gained wider recognition. She has since starred in the thriller series The Stolen Girl (2025) for Disney+.
Key Information
Early life and education
[edit]Mod grew up in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.[3] She is the daughter of Indian immigrants; her mother arrived in the UK as a child, and her father in his 20s.[4] Mod attended Dame Alice Owen's School.[5] She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Studies from St Mary's College, Durham.[6]
Early in her career, Mod worked as a personal assistant at Condé Nast as her day job while doing comedy at night.[4][7] She studied acting at Theatrix Performing Arts of St Albans, based at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans. At Durham, she did sketch comedy through the university's Revue,[8] performing with Tom Harper at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and serving as the troupe's president in 2017.[9] She formed a duo, Megan from HR, with Andrew Shires.[10][11] She performs regularly at improvised comedy theatre The Free Association in London.[12]
Career
[edit]After appearing in a series of short films—Fair Bnb, Granddaughter, The Sacrifice (aka Leila Margot), and Pet Name—Mod was cast as Shruti Acharya, a struggling junior doctor opposite Ben Whishaw in This Is Going to Hurt (2022), a medical drama based on Adam Kay's memoir of the same name.[13][14] The series earned unanimous acclaim from critics;[15] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter described Mod as the standout among the "regular female characters", praising how she turned Shruti's "earnest fragility into the show’s true heart". However, he also noted that the character often functioned primarily as a vehicle for Kay's actions.[16] For her performance, Mod was selected for the 2022 BAFTA Breakthrough cohort and won the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actress.[17][18] Through the BAFTA programme, she met Emma Thompson, who later became her mentor.[19]
I think part of the reason why I just didn't see myself playing that part was because insidiously and implicitly, that's a message that I’ve been fed my entire life—that people who look like me aren't romantic leads, that people who look like me aren't the people who the male romantic lead will fall in love with.
In 2024, Mod starred as Emma Morley in Netflix's One Day, adapted from David Nicholls' novel of the same name.[21] The series follows two young people (played by Mod and Leo Woodall) who reconnect annually over 14 years after a one-night stand. Mod initially declined the role, as the emotionally demanding nature of her performance in This Is Going to Hurt left her doubting her ability to take on a romantic lead.[22] Her portrayal, however, earned widespread critical acclaim and marked a major breakthrough in her career.[23][24] Upon release, One Day became the most-watched Netflix series worldwide that week.[25] Writing for The Guardian, Chitra Ramaswamy described Mod as a "revelation", and found it "hard to believe this is her first lead role".[26] Reflecting on her character's change in ethnicity from the book and earlier film adaptation, Mod expressed hope that it would "open people’s minds a little bit," acknowledging its significance for "a lot of people, especially young women of colour, young South Asian women in particular".[27]
In 2025, Mod had supporting roles in the action films Black Bag and Sacrifice.[28][29] In the Disney+ thriller series The Stolen Girl, Mod starred as a journalist attempting to locate a missing girl. Emily Godwin of The Evening Standard considered Mod to be the series' prime asset but The Guardian's Lucy Mangan found the plot to be too contingent on her character's "borderline clairvoyant powers".[30][31]
Media image
[edit]In 2024, Mod was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list under the Entertainment category, recognised for her advocacy for greater industry representation and her performances in This Is Going to Hurt and One Day.[32] The Sunday Times named Mod one of the 25 most inspiring people aged 30 and under in the UK and Ireland.[33] Later that year, Mod was featured on Time's annual TIME100 Next list of emerging leaders shaping the future, with Mindy Kaling writing: "It feels like there’s nothing to make you sit up, lean forward, and say, 'Wow, I’ve never seen that before.' But that’s exactly how I felt when I saw Ambika Mod in [...] One Day."[34]
Mod was also named one of Harper's Bazaar UK's 2024 Women of the Year, receiving the Breakthrough of the Year award.[35][36] In November 2024, she received one of British GQ's Men of the Year awards.[37] In February 2025, Mod was included in Elle's 40 For 40: Women in Film and Television list, described as a "power list of the women who’ll shape the coming decades in film and television." Author Hanna Flint wrote: "Ambika is a rising star in television [...] she’s reshaping what it means to be a leading lady."[38] In September 2025, she signed an open pledge with Film Workers for Palestine, committing not to collaborate with Israeli film institutions "that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people."[39]
Acting credits
[edit]| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Black Bag | Angela | [40] | |
| Sacrifice | Katie | [41] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Mash Report | Sarah / Average Young Person | Series 4, Episode 6 | |
| 2020 | The B@it | Samantha | Episode: "Ending other people's relationships" | |
| 2021 | Trying | Usher | Episode: "I'm Scared" | |
| 2022 | This Is Going to Hurt | Shruti Acharya | Main role | [42] |
| Martin Fishback | Samah | Television special | [43] | |
| I Hate Suzie | Una Finch | Series 2, Episodes 1&3 | [44] | |
| 2024 | One Day | Emma Morley | Main role | [45] |
| 2025 | The Stolen Girl | Selma Desai | Main role | [46] |
Theatre
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Cirque du Silly | Self | Edinburgh Fringe Festival | [47] |
| 2019 | Children of the Quorn | Self | Edinburgh Fringe Festival | [48] |
| 2024 | 3 | Self | Edinburgh Fringe Festival | [49] |
| White Rabbit Red Rabbit | Self | @sohoplace | [50] | |
| 2025 | Porn Play | Ani | Royal Court Theatre | [51] |
| Every Brilliant Thing | Narrator | @sohoplace | [52] |
Audio
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Doctor Who: Redacted | Captain Chopra | BBC Sounds | [53] |
| 2024 | Bleak House | Esther Summerson | Audible | [54] |
| TBA | Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions | Nymphadora Tonks |
Other television appearances
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Comic Relief: Funny for Money | Self | Red Nose Day fundraising telethon | [55] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Funny Women Awards | Stage Award | Semi-finalist | [56] | |
| 2022 | Edinburgh TV Awards | Breakthrough Talent – Actor | This Is Going to Hurt | Nominated | [57] |
| 2023 | BPG Television, Streaming and Audio Awards | Best Actress | Won | [58] | |
| RTS Programme Awards | Supporting Actor – Female | Won | [59] | ||
| 2024 | Gotham TV Awards | Outstanding Performance in a Limited Series | One Day | Nominated | [60] |
| Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards | Breakthrough of the Year | Won | [61] | ||
| Rose d'Or Awards | Emerging Talent | Won | [62] | ||
| Women In Film & TV Awards | Netflix New Talent Award | Won | [63] | ||
| 2025 | Newport Beach Film Festival U.K. Honours | Spotlight Artist Award | Won | [64] | |
| RTS Programme Awards | Leading Actor – Female | Nominated | [65] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Ambika Mod: Character of Shruti in BBC's This Is Going To Hurt is important". Barry And District News. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
- ^ Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall From One Day Take The BFF Test Test, 8 February 2024, retrieved 9 February 2024
- ^ "Stage Awards Semi-Finalists 2020". Women Funny Awards. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ a b Mulkerrins, Jane (5 March 2022). "This Is Going to Hurt's Ambika Mod: 'I have really bad anxiety'". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Old Owenian performs at the Fringe!" (PDF). Old Owenians Newsletter: 8. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ "Catching up with Ambika Mod". DST First Night. 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ Healy, Rachael (22 February 2022). "This Is Going to Hurt's Ambika Mod: 'Whenever I did a caesarean I was buzzing!'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ Wall, Natalie (4 March 2016). "The Durham Revue's Ambika Mod!". Her Campus. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ "Durham Revue team up with Cambridge Footlights for 'ComedyFest!". Durham University. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ Brown, Keira (25 August 2019). "Ambika Mod: Within this main narrative we weave in and out of tight, witty sketches which range from observational to a bit more absurd". The Fountain. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ Iftikhar, Asyia (9 February 2022). "Ambika Mod Is "Pretty Confident" She Could Do A C-Section IRL". Bustle. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ "Harold Night". 3 May 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Obsessed with Ambika Mod in One Day? Here's all her other projects you need to watch". Cosmopolitan. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Morris, Lauren (16 February 2022). "Meet the cast of BBC One's This Is Going to Hurt". Radio Times. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ "This Is Going to Hurt Is the Best Medical Drama in Years". TIME. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ Fienberg, Daniel (1 June 2022). "Ben Whishaw in AMC+'s 'This Is Going to Hurt': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "2023 Awards". 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Meet the 2022 UK Breakthroughs". Bafta. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Ambika Mod On Starring In 'Dream Come True' 'One Day'". ELLE. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Tara Sutaria on being stereotyped as a glamorous actor: 'People believe I'm just two-dimensional actress…'". The Indian Express. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Meet the 'One Day' Netflix cast, from Ambika Mod to White Lotus star Leo Woodall". Glamour UK. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "One Day's Ambika Mod on why she initially turned down playing Emma". Cosmopolitan. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Barr, Sabrina (11 February 2024). "Wondering why One Day actress playing Emma has you sobbing? Here's why". Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "'One Day' is one of this year's defining cultural moments". Glamour UK. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Seitz, Loree (20 February 2024). "One Day, Love is Blind Season 6 Lure Netflix TV Viewers". TheWrap. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ Ramaswamy, Chitra (6 February 2024). "One Day review – a flawless romcom you'll fall for, hard". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "One Day: I rarely saw people like me in lead roles, says Ambika Mod". BBC News. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "One Day star Ambika Mod lands next movie role". Digital Spy. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Obsessed with Ambika Mod in One Day? Here's all her other projects you need to watch". Cosmopolitan. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ Godwin, Emily (10 April 2025). "The Stolen Girl on Disney+: Ambika Mod shines in this enjoyably twisty thriller". The Standard. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Mangan, Lucy (16 April 2025). "The Stolen Girl review – you will forget this enjoyably preposterous thriller within five seconds of finishing it". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Ambika Mod". Forbes. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Swerling, Hannah (27 April 2024). "The 25 most inspiring people aged 30 and under in the UK and Ireland 2024". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Kaling, Mindy (2 October 2024). "2024 TIME100 Next: Ambika Mod". TIME. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Getting ready with Ambika Mod for the Bazaar Women of the Year Awards". Harper's BAZAAR. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Women of the Year 2024: Ambika Mod is our Breakthrough winner". Harper's BAZAAR. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Men of the Year 2024". British GQ. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "40 For 40: The Women In Film And Television Power List". Elle. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
- ^ "Film Workers Pledge to End Complicity". Film Workers For Palestine. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Ambika Mod – The Artists Partnership". theartistspartnership.co.uk. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (4 November 2024). "Vincent Cassel, John Malkovich, Charli XCX, Rapper Yung Lean & More Join Chris Evans & Anya Taylor-Joy In 'Sacrifice' With Filming Underway In Europe". Deadline. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "First-look images revealed and further casting announced for BBC One's highly anticipated adaptation of This Is Going To Hurt". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "BBC Two - Martin Fishback". BBC. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "I Hate Suzie Too cast | New and returning characters | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (23 June 2022). "'The White Lotus' Actor Leo Woodall & 'This Is Going To Hurt' Breakout Ambika Mod To Lead Netflix Drama 'One Day'". Deadline. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Turner, Laura Jane (22 January 2025). "New UK thriller from Baptiste writer reveals first look with One Day's Ambika Mod". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ University, Durham. "From 'The BIG Durham Talent Show' to Netflix blockbuster - Durham University". www.durham.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 - Children of the Quorn". The Edinburgh Reporter. 28 July 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ King, Abigail (21 August 2024). "Fringe 2024: 3". The Student. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "White Rabbit Red Rabbit". @sohoplace. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Wiegand, Chris (25 March 2025). "Ambika Mod to play porn addict in 'funny, unsettling and honest' play at the Royal Court". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Every Brilliant Thing". @sohoplace. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "BBC Sounds - Doctor Who: Redacted, Series 1, 9. Rescue". BBC. 12 June 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ https://www.audible.com/pd/Bleak-House-Audiobook/B0DFZ53MV3?qid=1734589768&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=ZGG4AYCWGJ1Z6VENXW26&plink=RRtXIQrsxwNhXdee&pageLoadId=WfmMrS0nolsE9Sl7&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1
- ^ May, Melanie (18 March 2024). "Red Nose Day beats 2023's on the night total, raising over £38mn". UK Fundraising. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "2020 Stage Awards Semi-Finalists Announced!". Funny Women. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ @EdinburghTVFest (16 June 2022). "Our nominees for Breakthrough Talent- Actor🎭 📺 @ambikamod 📺 @DLMacdonald19 📺 Dipo Ola 📺 @GambaCole #EdTVAwards" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "2023 Awards". Broadcasting Press Guild. 7 February 2024.
- ^ "RTS Programme Awards". Royal Television Society. 7 February 2024.
- ^ Carson, Lexi (5 June 2024). "'Baby Reindeer,' 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' and 'Colin From Accounts' Take Top Prizes at 2024 Gotham TV Awards: Full Winners List". Variety. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Women of the Year Awards 2024: the winners portfolio". Harper's BAZAAR. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Winners of 63rd Rose d'Or awards announced". Rose d'Or. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ Ford, Lily (6 December 2024). "'Baby Reindeer' Star Jessica Gunning, 'One Day' Breakout Ambika Mod Among Women in Film & TV Award Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Lee, Abigail (31 January 2025). "Newport Beach Film Festival To Recognize Harris Dickinson, Jessica Gunning, David Jonsson and More for U.K. and Ireland Honors". Variety. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2025". 11 March 2025.
External links
[edit]- Ambika Mod on Twitter
- Ambika Mod on Instagram
- Ambika Mod at IMDb
Ambika Mod
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Family background and upbringing
Ambika Mod was born on 2 October 1995 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, to parents of Indian origin who immigrated to the United Kingdom.[9] Her mother, an accountant, arrived in the UK as a child, while her father, a veterinarian, immigrated in his twenties after being born in India.[10][11] Both parents were born in India, placing Mod within the South Asian diaspora community in Britain.[10] Mod grew up primarily in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, as the elder of two daughters in a household shaped by her parents' immigrant experiences.[12][13] Details about her family's specific cultural or socioeconomic dynamics remain limited, as Mod has not publicly disclosed extensive personal anecdotes beyond noting the influence of her heritage on her identity.[9] Her upbringing occurred in suburban Hertfordshire, a region with a notable population of Indian-origin families, though she has described limited representation of ethnic minorities in media during her childhood.[9]Schooling and university
Ambika Mod attended Dame Alice Owen's School in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, a co-educational state grammar school, where she developed an early interest in creative pursuits.[14] Mod enrolled at the University of Durham in 2014, studying English Literature at St Mary's College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2017.[15][16] During her time at Durham, Mod participated in university sketch comedy groups, including the Durham Revue, which provided foundational experience in performance and improvisation despite initial challenges in securing roles in traditional theatre productions.[17][4][18]Career beginnings
Entry into comedy and writing
Mod developed an interest in sketch comedy during her teenage years, inspired by Saturday Night Live around the age of 16.[16] While studying English Literature at the University of Durham from 2014 to 2017, she joined the Durham Revue, the university's sketch comedy troupe, and progressed to running the group by her final year.[19] The Revue, known for alumni including Ed Gamble and Nish Kumar, performed original sketches, providing Mod with her initial platform for writing and performing comedic material.[20] As part of the 2015–2016 Durham Revue lineup, Mod contributed to rehearsals and performances, honing her skills in collaborative sketch development alongside members like Andrew Shires, who later became her comedy writing partner.[21] The group took sketches to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015, where Mod gained early exposure to professional comedy circuits.[22] Following her graduation in 2017, Mod balanced a day job as a personal assistant in Condé Nast's finance department with evening pursuits in stand-up comedy and writing.[16] [19] She gigged regularly, focusing on stand-up routines, and co-wrote material with Shires on weekends, emphasizing improvised and scripted comedic elements drawn from her revue background.[19] This period marked her transition from student performer to independent comedian, prioritizing live gigs and script development over immediate acting opportunities.[23]Initial acting roles
Mod transitioned from stand-up comedy and improvised theatre at venues like the Free Association in London to on-screen acting in the late 2010s.[12] Her earliest credited role was in the 2018 short film Fairbnb, directed by Mairéad Doyle, where she portrayed Izzy, a character involved in a scheme to fund a trip by subletting a roommate's space.[24] This marked her screen debut following university-era comedy sketches.[25] In 2019, Mod secured minor television work, including a guest appearance on the satirical news program The Mash Report, playing Sarah (also credited as Average Young Person) in episode six of series three.[26] She also featured in short films such as Granddaughter and The Sacrifice (also known as Leila Margot), though specific character details for these remain limited in public records.[10] These roles, often secured through comedy networks, provided initial exposure amid her day job as a personal assistant.[27] By 2020, she appeared in the HBO Max/BritBox series I Hate Suzie as Una Finch, a supporting character in the drama about a celebrity facing a leaked photo scandal.[28] In 2021, Mod had a brief role as an usher in the Apple TV+ comedy Trying, episode "I'm Scared," which follows a couple navigating adoption and infertility.[29] These early credits, comprising shorts and episodic TV, preceded her breakthrough in This Is Going to Hurt and highlighted her shift toward scripted dramatic roles.[16]Major roles and breakthrough
Television work
Mod first appeared on television in guest roles on comedy programs. In 2019, she portrayed Sarah and the Average Young Person on the satirical news quiz The Mash Report. The following year, she played Samantha in the comedy series The B@it. In 2021, Mod had a minor role as an usher in the Apple TV+ series Trying.[30] Her breakthrough television role came in 2022 as Shruti Acharya, a junior doctor in the BBC One miniseries This Is Going to Hurt, an adaptation of Adam Kay's memoir detailing the pressures of working in obstetrics and gynecology. The seven-episode series aired from February to March 2022 and featured Mod alongside Ben Whishaw as the lead doctor. Mod's portrayal of Shruti, who grapples with professional demands and personal mental health struggles, earned critical praise for its authenticity and emotional depth, with reviewers noting her ability to convey the character's vulnerability amid high-stakes medical scenarios. For this performance, she received the Supporting Actor - Female award at the 2023 Royal Television Society Programme Awards.[31][32] That same year, Mod appeared as Una in the second season of the HBO Max/BBC Three dark comedy I Hate Suzie, which explores the aftermath of a celebrity's leaked private photos. In 2024, she starred as Emma Morley in the Netflix miniseries One Day, a 14-episode adaptation of David Nicholls' novel that follows the evolving relationship between Emma and Dexter Mayhew over two decades, with episodes released daily from February 8 to 21. Mod shared the lead with Leo Woodall, and the series received attention for its faithful yet condensed take on the source material's themes of ambition, loss, and romance.[33][30]Film and streaming adaptations
Mod portrayed Emma Morley in the 2024 Netflix miniseries One Day, an adaptation of David Nicholls' 2009 novel that chronicles the annual July 15 encounters between Emma, an idealistic English graduate, and Dexter Mayhew, a privileged television presenter, spanning two decades. The seven-episode series, directed by Tom Quinn and Nicole Taylor, premiered on February 8, 2024, and marked Mod's first lead role in a major streaming production, following a 2011 film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.[30] Her performance as the sharp-witted, aspiring writer Emma drew attention for capturing the character's evolving vulnerabilities and intellect, though some critics noted deviations from the book's portrayal amid casting debates over ethnicity alignment with the source material. In film, Mod's early credits include supporting roles in short films such as Granddaughter (2019), directed by Matty Ride-Smith, and Saudade (2020), a drama exploring relational dissolution.[16] These preceded her breakthrough in longer-form projects. In 2025, she appeared in the ensemble satirical thriller Sacrifice, directed by Romain Gavras, playing Katie, a performer at a high-society gala disrupted by activists seeking a relic; the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025, with Mod's role described as a brief but energetic supporting turn.[34][35] She also featured as Angela Childs in Steven Soderbergh's spy thriller Black Bag, released in 2025, alongside Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, contributing to the film's ensemble dynamics in a narrative of espionage and betrayal. These roles represent Mod's expansion into feature films, though neither is a direct literary adaptation.Theatre engagements
Mod's early theatre work centered on comedy and improvisation. She co-founded the sketch duo Megan from HR with Andrew Shires, performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including their debut professional show Children of the Quorn in 2019, which featured undead-themed sketches.[36] She also regularly appeared in improvised comedy performances at The Free Association theatre in London.[1] In September 2025, Mod starred in the West End production of Every Brilliant Thing at @sohoplace, a one-person play by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe about compiling a list of life's joys to combat a parent's depression.[37] She performed the solo role for dates from September 2 to 26 as part of a rotating cast that included actors such as Lenny Henry and Minnie Driver.[38] Mod is scheduled to appear in the world premiere of Porn Play at the Royal Court Theatre's Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, running from November 6 to December 13, 2025, with previews starting October 30.[39] The cast includes Will Close alongside Mod, under the direction of Artistic Director David Byrne.[40]Public reception and media image
Critical acclaim and audience response
Mod's portrayal of junior doctor Shruti Makwana in the 2022 BBC miniseries This Is Going to Hurt earned her widespread critical praise for capturing the character's vulnerability and resilience amid NHS dysfunction. The series received a 96% approval rating from 45 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers lauding Mod's empathetic performance as a key strength in what The Hollywood Reporter called an "unflinching" depiction of medical realities.[41][32] NPR highlighted the show's "superbly acted" ensemble, attributing its stinging insights on healthcare to Mod's grounded portrayal alongside Ben Whishaw.[42] In the 2024 Netflix series One Day, Mod's role as Emma Morley opposite Leo Woodall drew acclaim for its emotional depth and authenticity in adapting David Nicholls' novel, contributing to the show's 92% Rotten Tomatoes score from 49 reviews.[43] The Guardian described Mod and Woodall's performances as "extraordinary," praising the series as a "flawless romcom" that effectively balances humor, grief, and romance across decades.[44] Variety noted the adaptation's charm in exploring friendship and expectations, with Mod's interpretation of Emma's aspirations and setbacks central to its resonance.[45] Audience reception mirrored critical enthusiasm for This Is Going to Hurt, achieving a 92% user score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting appreciation for its raw portrayal of medical burnout.[46] For One Day, viewers awarded an 85% audience score, with many hailing it as emotionally compelling and superior to the 2011 film adaptation's 36% critics rating, though some book fans expressed dissatisfaction.[47][48] Mod faced targeted online backlash over her casting as the novel's white character Emma, including racist and misogynistic comments questioning her suitability, which she attributed to double standards compared to scrutiny of Woodall's Dexter; she has discussed processing this criticism through therapy.[49][50] Her 2025 West End turn in Every Brilliant Thing also garnered positive notices, with critics commending Mod's energetic narration and audience engagement in the play's exploration of depression and resilience.[51] BroadwayWorld praised her balance of warmth and confidence, noting how she met the interactive format's demands effectively.[52]Casting debates and controversies
Mod's casting as Emma Morley in the 2024 Netflix adaptation of One Day elicited debates centered on the character's ethnicity, as the novel by David Nicholls depicts Emma as white, diverging from Mod's South Asian heritage.[50] The production employed color-blind casting, selecting actors based on suitability irrespective of race, with Nicholls rewriting elements to incorporate Mod's background for added depth.[9] Some viewers contested the change, questioning the realism of the central romance with Leo Woodall's Dexter Mayhew and labeling the pairing as unconvincing due to Mod's appearance.[53] Pre-release backlash highlighted comparisons to Anne Hathaway's white portrayal in the 2011 film version, with critics arguing the adaptation prioritized diversity over source fidelity.[50] Mod acknowledged that audiences "didn’t picture an Emma who looked like me," attributing heightened scrutiny to her identity as a woman of color, whom she said must "prove" themselves more than white counterparts.[50] She identified double standards in the romance genre, where male leads like Dexter face less condemnation for flaws despite comparable moral lapses.[50] Mod has addressed the personal toll, undergoing therapy to process the criticism, which included remarks on her looks echoing past bullying for not conforming to beauty standards for brown women.[50][19] She reflected on industry typecasting, noting frequent auditions for supporting roles to white leads and speculating on untapped opportunities had she been white.[19] Despite the controversy, casting director Rachel Sheridan affirmed Mod's fit for Emma's witty, intelligent essence, independent of ethnicity.[53]Awards and nominations
Recognitions for acting
Mod's performance as Shruti Lachhani in the BBC series This Is Going to Hurt (2022) earned her the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actress in 2023.[6] She also received the Royal Television Society Programme Awards for Supporting Actress – Female in 2023 for the same role.[6][54] Her portrayal of Emma Morley in the Netflix miniseries One Day (2024) led to the Rose d'Or Emerging Talent Award in 2024.[6][7] For this performance, she won the Netflix New Talent Award at the Women in Film & TV Awards in 2024.[55][6] Mod received a nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Performer in a New Series at the Gotham TV Awards in 2024.[54] In 2025, she was nominated for Best Actress at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards for One Day.[56] She also earned a nomination for Leading Actress – Female at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards in 2025 for the series.[57]| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Broadcasting Press Guild Awards | Best Actress | This Is Going to Hurt | Won | [6] |
| 2023 | Royal Television Society Programme Awards | Supporting Actress – Female | This Is Going to Hurt | Won | [6] |
| 2024 | Gotham TV Awards | Outstanding Breakthrough Performer in a New Series | One Day | Nominated | [54] |
| 2024 | Rose d'Or | Emerging Talent | One Day | Won | [6] |
| 2024 | Women in Film & TV Awards | Netflix New Talent | One Day | Won | [55] |
| 2025 | Broadcasting Press Guild Awards | Best Actress | One Day | Nominated | [56] |
| 2025 | Royal Television Society Programme Awards | Leading Actress – Female | One Day | Nominated | [57] |
Other honors
In 2024, Mod was selected for Time magazine's TIME100 Next list, which identifies 100 emerging leaders across entertainment, politics, and other sectors who are poised to shape the future.[58] The recognition highlighted her role in advancing narratives through performance while noting her broader influence in media.[58] That same year, she was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe list in the Entertainment category, acknowledging her rapid ascent and contributions to television and film as a standout talent under age 30.[3]Acting credits
Television
Ambika Mod began her television career with minor roles, including appearances in the satirical news programme The Mash Report on BBC Two in 2017 and a guest part in the Apple TV+ comedy series Trying in 2021, where she portrayed a supporting character in the family-themed storyline.[16][5] Her breakthrough came in 2022 with the lead role of Shruti Acharya, a junior doctor navigating the high-pressure environment of a London obstetrics and gynaecology unit, in the BBC One miniseries This Is Going to Hurt, adapted from Adam Kay's memoir of the same name; the seven-episode series aired from February to March 2022 and depicted the systemic strains on NHS staff, earning Mod praise for her portrayal of professional resilience amid personal turmoil.[30][33] That same year, Mod appeared as Una Finch in the second season of the Sky Atlantic dark comedy-drama I Hate Suzie, a four-episode arc released in December 2022, where her character contributed to the narrative exploring fame, trauma, and digital privacy invasion alongside lead Billie Piper.[30][59] Mod's role as Emma Morley in the Netflix romantic drama miniseries One Day, which premiered on February 8, 2024, marked her most prominent television performance to date; the 14-episode adaptation of David Nicholls' 2009 novel follows the evolving relationship between Morley and Dexter Mayhew (played by Leo Woodall) over two decades, with Mod's depiction of the aspiring writer emphasizing themes of ambition, class dynamics, and personal growth, contributing to the series' global viewership of over 28 million in its first three days.[33][30][5] Upcoming projects include a role in the thriller series Playdate, announced for development but without a confirmed release date as of October 2025.[30]Film
Ambika Mod entered the film industry through short films before transitioning to feature-length projects. Her early roles include Saudade (2020), where she portrayed Jen in a drama about a couple's final encounter during a breakup.[60] She also starred in Pet Name, an award-winning short exploring anxious-avoidant relationship dynamics.[61] Additional shorts encompass Granddaughter (2019), directed by Matty Ride-Smith, and The Sacrifice (also known as Leila Margot), a narrative centered on a young girl's forced marriage.[62] Mod made her feature film debut in Black Bag (2025), a spy thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, playing Angela Childs, a junior NCSC intelligence officer, in a supporting capacity alongside Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett.[63] The film follows married spies navigating loyalty amid espionage threats. She followed with a role in Sacrifice (2025), an action-adventure comedy directed by Romain Gavras.[64] These appearances mark her expansion into higher-profile cinema post-television success, though details on her Sacrifice character remain limited in public records.[65]| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Granddaughter | Unknown | Short film |
| 2020 | Saudade | Jen | Short film |
| 2025 | Black Bag | Angela Childs | Feature film |
| 2025 | Sacrifice | Unknown | Feature film |