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Nikesh Patel
Nikesh Patel
from Wikipedia

Nikesh Patel is an English actor. He is known for his roles in the Channel 4 drama Indian Summers (2015–2016), the Hulu miniseries Four Weddings and a Funeral (2019), the BBC sitcom Starstruck (2021–2023), and the Amazon Prime thriller The Devil's Hour (2022–present).

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Nikesh Patel was born in Wembley, North West London.[1] His parents are pharmacists. He completed his secondary education at the City of London School.[2]

Patel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Warwick in 2007. During his time at university, he discovered acting[1] and played Othello in a student production.[3][2]

After graduating, Patel went on to train at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2010.[3] He was awarded the school's gold medal for acting that year.[4][5]

Career

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Theatre

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Patel got his professional start in the theatre, appearing in Anupama Chandrasekhar's play Disconnect at the Royal Court Theatre in 2010.[6] In 2011, Patel was part of the ensemble of the Royal Shakespeare Company's 50th birthday season[7] and appeared in The Taming of the Shrew (Petruchio), Macbeth (Donalbain) and The Merchant of Venice (Balthasar).[8][9]

He had a role in Rona Munro's play Donny's Brain at the Hampstead Theatre in 2012[10] and returned to the Royal Court in 2013 to appear in Abhishek Majumdar's play The Djinns of Eidgah.[11] Also in 2013, Patel had a role in Howard Brenton's play Drawing the Line at the Hampstead Theatre.[12]

He appeared in Man, a production of three one-act plays by Tennessee Williams, at the Young Vic in 2015.[13]

Television and film

[edit]

Patel's first television credit was playing the character Dan in the second series of the Sky Living series Bedlam. This was followed by roles in single episodes of Midsomer Murders and Law & Order: UK.[14]

In 2015, he played Tanvir in the film Honour. He then had a leading role in the TV series Indian Summers, which ran for two seasons. In 2016, he played Raghdan Aziz in the film Halal Daddy and Pradhan in London Has Fallen.[citation needed]

2019 saw Patel take on roles in two high-profile television shows: He played Mitch in the Doctor Who New Year's Day special episode, Resolution[15] as well as Kash Khan, one of the seven lead characters in Mindy Kaling's 2019 miniseries adaptation of Four Weddings and a Funeral.[16]

Patel appeared in the 2020 fantasy film Artemis Fowl, playing tech expert centaur Foaly.[17][18] The final stage of the audition process was a screen test in which he had to perform on stilts to realistically emulate being half man, half horse.[19]

Radio

[edit]

Patel played the lead role in BBC Radio 4's 2017 adaptation of Salman Rushdie's novel Midnight's Children.[20] In 2019 he played Arcite, one of the two title characters in the BBC Radio 3 production of William Shakespeare's The Two Noble Kinsmen.[21]

Personal life

[edit]

Patel married broadcaster and actress Nicola Thorp in August 2024,[22] having been in a relationship since 2021[23] and engaged since 2023.[24] Their daughter was born in January 2024.[25]

The couple appeared in series five of the Channel 4 reality show Celebrity Hunted in April 2023.[26]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2012 Bedlam Dan TV series
2013 Jadoo Dee Film
Midsomer Murders Dev Kardek TV series
2014 Law and Order: UK Tom TV series
2015 Honour Tanvir Film
2015–2016 Indian Summers Aafrin Dalal TV series
2016 London Has Fallen Pradhan Film
2017 Halal Daddy Raghdan Aziz Film
2019 Doctor Who Mitch 1 episode, "Resolution"
Four Weddings and a Funeral Kash Khan TV series
2020 Man Like Mobeen Naveed TV series
Artemis Fowl Foaly Film
2021 The Mezzotint Nisbet TV short[27]
2021–2023 Starstruck Tom Main Role
2022–present The Devil's Hour Ravi Dhillon Main Role
2023 The After Salman Netflix film
2025 Picture This Akshay Romcom, in Prime video release

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Nikesh Patel (born 17 October 1985) is an English actor of Indian descent, recognized for his versatile performances across , television, and , often portraying complex characters from South Asian backgrounds. Born in , , to Indian immigrant parents who worked as pharmacists, Patel grew up in a household that emphasized education and professional stability, initially steering him toward literature rather than the arts. He attended the before earning a in English Literature from the in 2007, where he first discovered his passion for acting through student productions. Patel honed his craft at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2010 with the prestigious Gold Medal for Acting, and quickly established himself in British theatre with his debut in the Royal Court production Disconnect. His breakthrough came with the lead role of Aafrin Dalal in the period drama (2015–2016), which garnered critical acclaim for its depiction of and elevated his profile internationally. Transitioning to screen, Patel has starred in notable television projects including the Hulu miniseries (2019), the /HBO Max rom-com Starstruck (2021–2023), and the (2022–present, with season 3 expected in 2025). His film credits include the action thriller (2016) and the Disney fantasy (2020), alongside a in the Doctor Who special "" (2018). In recent years, Patel has balanced high-profile screen work with a return to , starring in the Bush Theatre's Speed (2025) and in the recent films Picture This (2025, opposite ) and Old Bag (2025). Named one of Mr Porter's Actors to Watch in 2025, he continues to advocate for greater South Asian representation in media, drawing from his experiences with industry discrimination to champion diverse storytelling.

Early life

Upbringing

Nikesh Patel was born on 17 October 1985 in , , to parents of Indian descent who both worked as pharmacists. Growing up in a family that valued and professional stability, Patel's parents supported his interests while emphasizing the importance of a reliable career path, such as , as a potential backup plan. Patel is fluent in Gujarati. Patel's childhood unfolded in the multicultural neighborhood of during the , where he experienced a blend of British and Indian cultural influences. As a bookish child fascinated by fantasy stories, he initially aspired to become a , drawn to the idea of storytelling through writing. However, his early exposure to British-Indian culture, including shows like Goodness Gracious Me, highlighted the scarcity of on-screen representation for people like him, subtly shaping his worldview amid the area's diverse community. During his secondary education at the , Patel discovered an initial interest in the through participation in school plays. Seeing a classmate perform on stage for the first time sparked his curiosity about , marking a pivotal shift from his journalistic ambitions toward creative expression, though he would later pursue formal training.

Education

Patel earned a degree in English Literature from the in 2007, where he first discovered his passion for through participation in student theatre productions. Growing up in a household that emphasized education and professional stability, this undergraduate experience marked a pivotal shift toward . Following , Patel pursued training in at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, completing a in in 2010. He was awarded the school's prestigious for acting excellence upon , recognizing his outstanding performance and potential in the field. During his time at Guildhall, Patel received early industry recognition, being named one of Screen International's UK Stars of Tomorrow in 2010 for his promising talent. Patel's drama school training at Guildhall significantly honed his versatile skills, including proficiency in voice work and various accents, through rigorous exercises in vocal projection, dialect coaching, and character immersion that are integral to the institution's curriculum. These foundational techniques have underpinned his ability to portray diverse roles across theatre, television, and film.

Career

Theatre

Nikesh Patel made his professional stage debut in 2010, portraying Ross in Anupama Chandrasekhar's Disconnect at the Royal Court Theatre, a play exploring the outsourcing of customer service jobs to India and the personal toll it takes on young workers. The production, directed by Indhu Rubasingham, highlighted Patel's early promise in a role that demanded linguistic versatility and emotional depth, marking his transition from drama school to the professional stage. In the following years, Patel took on varied supporting roles that showcased his range across classical and contemporary works. At the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2011, he played in a youth-oriented adaptation of Shakespeare's , directed by as part of the company's 50th birthday season, contributing to efforts to make Shakespeare accessible to younger audiences through innovative, shortened versions. In 2012, he appeared as Al, a neurologist, in Rona Munro's Donny's Brain at the , a drama delving into , identity, and following a traumatic accident. Patel returned to the Royal Court in 2013 for Abhishek Majumdar's The Djinns of Eidgah, a poignant exploration of conflict and childhood in , where his performance added to the play's blend of magical realism and political commentary. Following these early roles, Patel shifted focus to screen projects, entering a hiatus of over a decade from live to prioritize television and opportunities. This period allowed him to build a prominent profile in on-screen roles, but he has noted the distinct energy of stage performance as a draw for his return. Patel re-emerged on stage in 2025, taking the lead role of Abz, a road safety course facilitator, in Mohamed-Zain Dada's Speed at the Bush Theatre, directed by Milli Bhatia. The play, a sharp comedy-drama examining through the lens of , class tensions, and personal trauma, earned praise for Patel's nuanced portrayal of a character confronting systemic biases while managing . Critics highlighted how the production, through Patel's commanding presence, advanced discussions on who is perceived as "aggressive" in British society, blending humor with incisive social critique. Throughout his theatre career, Patel has evolved from ensemble and supporting parts in prestigious institutions like the RSC and to leading roles in new writing, playing a key role in promoting diverse casting and South Asian representation on British stages. His work has consistently supported plays that interrogate identity, migration, and cultural , contributing to a more inclusive theatrical landscape.

Television and film

Patel's entry into film came with his debut role as Dee in the 2013 British comedy Jadoo, a family-feud story centered on rival restaurants in , marking his transition from to screen.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2180423/fullcredits He followed this with a supporting part in the 2016 action thriller , playing the aide to the Indian prime minister amid a global terrorist plot.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2910904/fullcredits Patel's breakthrough in television arrived with his portrayal of Aafrin Dalal, a young Indian clerk navigating ambition, romance, and political intrigue during the final years of British colonial rule, in the and series (2015–2016). The role earned him critical acclaim for capturing the character's internal conflicts and the era's racial tensions, with reviewers praising his "driven and affable" performance that added depth to the show's exploration of empire.https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/indian-summers-tv-review-827487/ Building on this success, Patel took on prominent television roles that highlighted his versatility. In the 2019 Hulu miniseries Four Weddings and a Funeral, he played Kash Khan, an investment banker of Pakistani heritage grappling with cultural expectations and personal aspirations, contributing to the show's diverse ensemble.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8363218/fullcredits He then starred as the charismatic actor Tom Kapoor in the BBC Three romantic comedy Starstruck (2021–2023), opposite Rose Matafeo, where his neurotic yet endearing depiction of a celebrity in a casual relationship drew praise for its relatable charm.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13351694/fullcredits In the Amazon Prime thriller The Devil's Hour (2022–present), Patel portrayed Detective Inspector Ravi Dhillon, a determined officer entangled in supernatural mysteries, showcasing his ability to anchor high-stakes drama.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14379784/fullcredits Patel's film work continued to expand his profile, including voicing the tech-savvy Foaly in the 2020 Disney adaptation Artemis Fowl, a fantasy adventure directed by .https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15540630/fullcredits He appeared as Salman in the 2023 Netflix The After, a poignant about and confrontation following a violent loss.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28532006/fullcredits More recently, in the 2024 period thriller , Patel played Ferdy Harwood, a enthusiast amid a web of deceit and murder in 1930s .https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13457790/fullcredits His range extended into comedy with the lead role of Akshay, a perpetually set-up in the 2025 Prime Video rom-com Picture This, opposite , blending humor with cultural insights into modern South Asian dating.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29471733/fullcredits Throughout his screen career, Patel has been a vocal advocate for greater South Asian representation, emphasizing the shift from stereotypical roles to leading parts in mainstream genres like romance and thriller. In a 2022 interview, he highlighted the significance of playing a South Asian leading man in The Devil's Hour, noting how such opportunities challenge industry biases and reflect diverse British experiences.https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/tv/features/nikesh-patel-the-devils-hour-interview-24170/ His work has contributed to broader visibility, as seen in Starstruck, where changing his character's surname to Kapoor underscored authentic cultural identity.https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/aug/27/nikesh-patel-starstruck-bbc-three-interview-rishi-sunak-musical Patel has also shared personal encounters with racism, including being accosted during the 2024 UK race riots in Blackpool, which informed his reflections on belonging and the ongoing need for inclusive storytelling in film and television.https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/lancashire-tv-star-nicola-thorps-fiance-actor-nikesh-patel-accosted-at-the-riots-in-blackpool-4729834

Radio

Nikesh Patel's radio career began in the mid-2010s, showcasing his in literary adaptations broadcast on networks. His breakthrough came in 2017 with the leading role of Saleem Sinai in the full-cast dramatisation of Salman Rushdie's , adapted by Ayeesha Menon to commemorate the 70th anniversary of India's Partition. In this epic production, Patel voiced the telepathic narrator born at the moment of , delivering a performance praised for its emotional depth and narrative drive across seven episodes. The role earned him the award at the 2018 Audio Drama Awards, highlighting his ability to convey complex historical and magical realism through voice alone. Patel's radio work often explores South Asian narratives, drawing on his fluency in Gujarati to infuse authenticity into accents and cultural nuances. In Midnight's Children, his portrayal captured the novel's Bombay-inflected English and multilingual layers, bridging postcolonial themes with intimate storytelling. Subsequent roles expanded his repertoire beyond South Asian contexts; in 2019, he played Arcite in BBC Radio 3's production of William Shakespeare and John Fletcher's The Two Noble Kinsmen, a rare staging of the Jacobean tragicomedy rooted in Chaucer's The Knight's Tale. Here, Patel embodied the Theban knight's rivalry and passion opposite Blake Ritson's Palamon, contributing to a production noted for its dramatic intensity in exploring love, betrayal, and fate. His voice acting skills, refined during training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, emphasize precision in modulation and emotional layering essential for audio formats. This expertise extended to narration, as seen in his reading of Ben Halls' short story "Worth" for BBC Radio 4's Short Works in 2019, where he portrayed a young man navigating family expectations during a late-night shift. Earlier applications of these techniques appear in video game voice work, such as voicing Jaimin Shah in the 2018 racing simulation Forza Horizon 4, demonstrating versatility in dynamic, immersive audio environments. Overall, Patel's radio contributions, though selective, served as a vital transition in his early career, honing broadcast techniques that propelled him toward prominence in theatre and television while amplifying diverse voices in audio drama.

Personal life

Relationships

Nikesh Patel began a relationship with actress and broadcaster in 2021, having met through the exclusive dating app Raya. The couple, both established in the British entertainment industry—Thorp known for her role as Nicola Rubinstein in and Patel for leading performances in series like Starstruck and the miniseries —kept their early romance relatively private, sharing occasional glimpses via social media. Patel and Thorp announced their engagement in January 2023, with Thorp revealing the news on alongside a photo of her engagement ring. They married in a private ceremony in in August 2024, shortly after welcoming their first child, a daughter, in January of that year. The intimate event reflected their preference for discretion in personal matters, contrasting with their public professional lives. Prior to his relationship with , Patel had no publicly documented high-profile romances, aligning with his overall approach to maintaining privacy away from the spotlight. Since their marriage, the couple has made select joint appearances, including participating together in the fifth series of Celebrity Hunted in 2023, which highlighted their compatibility both on and off screen. These shared endeavors have supported Patel's navigation of work-life balance amid his rising acting commitments.

Advocacy and views

Nikesh Patel has been a prominent for increased South Asian representation in the British media industry, emphasizing the need for authentic and diverse narratives beyond stereotypes. In a 2019 interview with Burnt Roti, he discussed the challenges faced by South Asian actors and the importance of platforms that amplify underrepresented voices in theatre, television, and film. Patel's advocacy extends to addressing contemporary social issues, including and its impact on minority communities. During the 2024 UK race riots in early August, he recounted a personal encounter with racial targeting while driving near a in ; a rioter shouted at him to exit his car and surrender the keys, accusing him based solely on his . This incident, which Patel described as unprecedented in its intensity compared to childhood experiences of in , underscored his broader concerns about rising anti-immigrant sentiment. In an October 2024 interview with The Telegraph, he linked such events to ongoing barriers in media representation, calling for stories that humanize South Asian experiences amid social unrest. He has consistently supported inclusive casting practices that allow actors of South Asian descent to portray romantic leads and complex characters without ethnic limitations. Drawing from his role as the charming film star Tom in the BBC series Starstruck, Patel has advocated for more nuanced portrayals of British-Indian lives, moving away from tokenistic roles toward everyday, relatable narratives. In interviews, he has praised productions that prioritize such diversity, noting how it fosters broader industry change. Patel has also engaged in conversations about the acting profession's challenges, particularly and equitable working conditions in the post-COVID era. Through panels and public discussions, he promotes systemic reforms to ensure sustainability and inclusivity for emerging talents from diverse backgrounds.

Awards and honors

Acting awards

Upon graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2010, Patel received the institution's Gold Medal for , recognizing his outstanding performance during his training. In 2018, Patel won the award at the Audio Drama Awards for his portrayal of Saleem Sinai in the radio adaptation of Salman Rushdie's , broadcast on ; the production, adapted by Ayeesha Menon and produced by Tracey Neale and Emma Harding, earned praise for its epic scope and Patel's nuanced narration of the novel's magical realist narrative. Patel's role as Inspector Ravi Dhillon in the series (2022–present) has garnered significant critical acclaim, contributing to the show's nomination for an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series in 2023. As of , no individual acting awards have been announced for his performance, though the series' second season, released in October 2024, continues to receive positive reviews for its intricate plotting and Patel's layered depiction of a detective entangled in time-loop mysteries.

Industry recognitions

In 2010, shortly after graduating from the School of Music and Drama, Patel was selected as one of Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow, recognizing his potential as an emerging talent in British film and theatre. This honor highlighted his lead role in the Royal Court Theatre's production of Disconnect while still a student, marking him as a promising actor from the . Patel has been featured in various spotlights on emerging British South Asian talent, including Guildhall School profiles that emphasize his transition from stage to screen. In 2025, acclaimed his return to theatre in the Bush Theatre's Speed, praising his commanding performance and renewed stage presence after years in television and film. For his contributions to diversity in the arts, Patel was named a Distinguished Friend of the Migration Museum, an honor reflecting his advocacy for migrant stories through his roles and public support post-2015. In January 2025, Patel was named one of Mr Porter's Actors to Watch, recognizing his rising profile and upcoming projects. Patel's supporting role in the 2016 action thriller contributed to its global success, grossing over $195 million worldwide and underscoring his involvement in commercially impactful international productions.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole
2013JadooDee
2014Tanvir
2016Pradhan
2017Halal DaddyRaghdan Aziz
2020Foaly
2023Salman
2024Ferdy Harwood
2025Picture ThisAkshay

Television

Nikesh Patel began his television career with guest appearances in British series before securing leading roles in major dramas and comedies. In 2012, he portrayed Dan, a bartender at the haunted Bedlam Heights apartment complex, in the second season of the Sky1 supernatural horror series Bedlam (6 episodes). Patel made his guest appearance in the long-running ITV crime drama in 2013, playing Dev Kardek in the Christmas special episode "The Christmas Haunting" (Season 16, Episode 1). The following year, in 2014, he appeared as Tom in the episode "Flaw" (Season 8, Episode 3) of ITV's Law & Order: UK. From 2015 to 2016, Patel starred as the ambitious and conflicted Aafrin Dalal in the period drama , appearing in all 20 episodes across two seasons set in 1930s British . In 2019, he guest-starred as Mitch, a cafe owner entangled in an alien threat, in the special episode "Resolution" (Series 12) of BBC's . That same year, Patel played Kash, an aspiring actor in a strained engagement, in the miniseries adaptation of , appearing in all 10 episodes. Beginning in 2020 and continuing through 2025, Patel has portrayed the dual roles of Iqbal and Naveed, nephews of Uncle Khan, in multiple episodes of the comedy-drama , including key appearances in Seasons 3, 4, and 5. In the 2021 holiday special , Patel played the academic Nisbet in this adaptation of M.R. James's ghost story (1 episode). From 2021 to 2023, he starred as Tom, a charismatic film actor in a casual relationship with the protagonist, in all 12 episodes across three seasons of the /HBO Max romantic comedy Starstruck. Patel took on the recurring role of Detective Inspector Ravi Dhillon, a dedicated officer investigating supernatural mysteries, in on Prime Video, appearing in all episodes of Season 1 (2022) and Season 2 (2024–present). In 2022, he competed as himself in the BBC quiz show Celebrity Mastermind (Series 21, Episode 2), with specialist subject Scrubs. In 2024, Patel provided narration and voiced various characters in the documentary series Bodies of Water. Upcoming in 2025, he will appear as Sgt. Bhatia in the short film Old Bag.

Theatre and radio

Patel's early theatre career began with his professional debut in Anupama Chandrasekhar's Disconnect at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in , directed by , where he portrayed the glib-tongued Ross in a production that ran from February to March 2010. In 2011, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for its 50th birthday season, taking on multiple ensemble roles including Donalbain in Macbeth, Balthasar in The Merchant of Venice, and Petruchio in a Young People's Shakespeare adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Tim Crouch, which toured from September to October and featured Madeline Appiah as Katherina. Patel appeared as Al, the neurologist, in Rona Munro's Donny's Brain at the , directed by Anna Ledwich, with co-stars Ryan Early as Donny and as Trish; the production ran from September to October 2012. He returned to the Royal Court in 2013 for Abhishek Majumdar's The Djinns of Eidgah, directed by Richard Twyman, alongside actors including and Raj Bajaj, in a run from October to November exploring post-partition . For Borrowers, no verifiable info, so skip. In 2025, Patel starred as Abz, the course leader, in Mohamed-Zain Dada's Speed at the Bush Theatre, directed by Milli Bhatia, with co-stars Sabrina Sandhu as Harleen and as Samir; the comedy-drama about and ran from April to May. On radio, Patel voiced Saleem Sinai in the BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Salman Rushdie's , adapted by Ayeesha Menon and directed by Emma Harding, broadcast in September 2017 to mark the 70th anniversary of India's partition, with co-stars including and . In 2019, he played Arcite in the production of by and John Fletcher, adapted from Chaucer's , directed by Celia de Wolff, with Blake as Palamon and broadcast in May. No additional BBC literary adaptations post-2015 were identified beyond these.

References

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