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Ray Panthaki
Ray Panthaki
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Ray Panthaki (/pənˈθɑːki/;[1] (born 20 January 1979) is a British actor, writer, director, and producer. A BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and BIFA nominee,[2][3] he has built a diverse career spanning film, television, and theatre, often drawn to grounded, director-led, character-driven stories. He has worked with some of contemporary cinema’s most respected directors, including Danny Boyle, Bong Joon Ho, Wash Westmoreland, and Edward Zwick.[4] His screen work includes Marcella, Away, Boiling Point, and Colette. Behind the camera, he has written, directed, and produced through his company Urban Way, with credits including Life Sentence, Ernie, Convenience, and the BAFTA- and BIFA-nominated Boiling Point. In 2025, he began production on his directorial debut In Starland, starring Oscar-nominated actor Clarence Maclin.[5] He was elected to the BAFTA Film Committee in 2024.[6]

Key Information

Early life

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Panthaki was born in London to second-generation Indian parents.[7] His parents belong to India's Parsi minority community.[8]

Career

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Panthaki is best known for the roles he played on ITV and Netflix series Marcella and Netflix series Away alongside Hilary Swank.[9] He appeared as Hassan B in Sacha Baron Cohen's Ali G Indahouse.[9] He appeared in the films Colette,[9] 28 Days Later, Official Secrets,[9] Convenience,[9] Tube Tales,[9] Provoked,[9] Interview with a Hitman,[9] It's a Wonderful Afterlife, and the 2006 film Kidulthood which he also produced.[9]

In 2006, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Play at the TMA Theatre Awards for his role in Gladiator Games. Later that year, he set up the London-based production company Urban Way.[10] Panthaki made his West End theatrical debut in July 2008 in the play In My Name at the Trafalgar Studios.[11] He has performed twice at the Royal Court Theatre in London in Where Do We Live by Christopher Shinn and The Westbridge by Rachel De-Lehay. He went on to play a leading role in Tanika Gupta's The Empress for the Royal Shakespeare Company directed by Emma Rice.

In 2013, Panthaki's directorial debut Life Sentence, a film which he also wrote, won Best UK Short at the East End Film Festival 2013.[12][13][14] In 2013, Panthaki produced and starred in the comedy film Convenience starring alongside Vicky McClure and Adeel Akhtar.[15][16] The film's director Keri Collins won Best Breakthrough at the 2014 BAFTA Cymru for his work on the film.[17][18][19][20]

In 2014, he was announced as one of 18 BAFTA Breakthrough Brits a celebration of Britain's stars of tomorrow alongside fellow actors Stacy Martin, Katie Leung and Callum Turner.[21] In 2016, Panthaki was cast as DCI Rav Sangha in Hans Rosenfeldt's Nordic noir detective series Marcella.[22]

In 2017, it was announced that Panthaki had signed on to Wash Westmoreland's Colette, a biopic about the French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, to play real-life French playwright Pierre Veber.[23] Panthaki attended the world premier at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival alongside co-stars Keira Knightley and Dominic West, where the film received positive reviews.[24]

In 2020, Panthaki appeared in the Netflix series Away, alongside Hilary Swank, as Group Captain Ram Arya, second in command on a mission to Mars.[25]

At the British Independent Film Awards 2021, Panthaki was nominated for the BIFA for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Freeman in Boiling Point alongside Stephen Graham.[26][27]

Filmography

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Key
Denotes works that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
1998 The Bill Charlie Episode: "Taking Sides"
1999 Jump Boy Shamil Short film
Tube Tales Mo Segment: "Grasshopper"
2000 Losing It Ray Television film
2001 The Armando Iannucci Shows Episode: "Communication"
My Family Gary Episode: "Trust Never Sleeps"
2002 Blood Strangers Zafar Wahid Television film
Ali G Indahouse Hassan B
Spooks Chalak Ahmed Episode: "One Last Dance"; uncredited
Licks Pizza man Short film; also co-producer
28 Days Later Private Bedford
2003 Bollywood Queen Anil
Rehab Naz Television film
Doctors Duncan Marks Episode: "Donations"
2003–2005 EastEnders Ronny 158 episodes
2005 Blessed Lance 8 episodes
2006 Kidulthood Mark Also co-producer
Provoked Ravi
Strictly Confidential Ali Series 1 Episode 3
2007 Veils Samir Short film
The Feral Generation Vincent Also producer
2009 City Rats Dean Also executive producer
2010 It's a Wonderful Afterlife Jazz Sethi
2011 Screwed Neil
2012 Interview with a Hitman Franco
The Man Inside Bose Also executive producer
2013 Jadoo
Life of Crime DS Nabeel Kothari Episode: "1997"
Convenience Ajay Also producer
2014 DCI Banks Jeff Kitson Episodes: "Bad Boy Parts 1 & 2"
Cryptic Cochise
The Wrong Mans Khalil 2 episodes
2015 World War Dead: Rise of the Fallen Marcus
Crackanory Nasim
2016 One Crazy Thing Jay Veer Also producer
Oysters Have Feelings Too Jay Short film
Ghosted Paul
2016–2020 Marcella DI/DCI Rav Sangha 24 episodes
2018 Colette Veber
2019 Official Secrets Kamal Ahmed
2020 Dreams Dreams architect Video game voice only
Gangs of London Jevan Kapadia 8 episodes
Away Ram Arya 10 episodes
Ernie Writer and producer
2021 SAS: Red Notice Prime Minister Atwood
Boiling Point Freeman Also executive producer
2022 The Serpent Queen Charles, Cardinal of Lorraine
2023 Bonus Track[28] Mr. Zeppelin
Boiling Point Freeman BBC television series
TBA Fortunate Sons

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ray Panthaki (born 20 January 1979) is a British , , , and director of Indian descent, recognized for his multifaceted contributions to film and television. A third-generation Londoner, he began at age 12 after being inspired by a classmate's performance and enrolled in a local with his parents' support. By 19, he secured professional representation and transitioned into the industry, building a career that spans stage, screen, and production. Panthaki founded the Urban Way at age 23 to champion diverse storytelling, producing notable films such as (2006) and the BAFTA Cymru-winning (2013), which featured Indian leads unbound by ethnic stereotypes. His breakthrough came with the 2014 BAFTA Brit , highlighting his rising prominence after roles in projects like the series Away (2020) as Ram Arya and three seasons of Marcella (2016–2020) as Rav Sangha. He has since starred in high-profile works including Official Secrets (2019), Gangs of (2020), (2018), and (2022), often portraying complex, culturally nuanced characters. More recently, he reprised his role in the Boiling Point television series (2023), appeared in season 2 of (2024) and Black Diamond (2025), and began production on his feature directorial debut In Starland in 2025. In 2024, he was elected to the BAFTA Film Committee. As a producer and director, Panthaki co-founded Le Bateau Lavoir with Daniel Khalili to support auteur-driven films, including a biopic on boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, and served as executive producer on the critically acclaimed Boiling Point (2021), which earned 11 BIFA nominations and four BAFTA nods; he also received a BIFA nomination for Best Supporting Performance in the film. His directorial efforts include the short film Ernie (2019), part of the The Uncertain Kingdom anthology exploring Brexit's impact. An advocate for racial equity in the arts, Panthaki uses his platform to create inclusive opportunities, reflecting on his shy upbringing and commitment to authentic representation after 25 years in the industry.

Early life and education

Family background

Ray Panthaki was born on 20 January 1979 in , . He grew up in a working-class family environment that profoundly influenced his early worldview, emphasizing resilience and the value of perseverance amid everyday challenges. Panthaki's parents are second-generation Indian immigrants belonging to the Parsi minority community, a Zoroastrian ethnic group originating from Persia and settled in . This heritage introduced formative cultural influences, including strong family traditions centered on integrity, kindness, and community commitment—qualities exemplified by his father, whom Panthaki has described as his lifelong hero for embodying work ethic and honesty. As a third-generation British individual of Indian descent, he navigated a childhood marked by feelings of otherness, potentially tied to his skin color, within London's multicultural landscape.

Entry into acting and training

Panthaki's entry into acting began during his childhood in London, where he was initially drawn to the profession out of jealousy toward a classmate who was a child actor and received significant attention for it. Despite describing himself as an incredibly shy and introverted child, he approached his parents at around age 11 or 12 and expressed his desire to pursue acting, leading them to enroll him in a local drama school shortly thereafter. At the , starting at age 12, Panthaki received his formal training in through workshops, improvisation exercises, and stage rehearsals, which provided a supportive environment to build and develop his skills. This early was pivotal in transforming his initial motivation—seeking visibility as a shy kid—into a genuine passion for the craft. During his teenage years, Panthaki drew influences from British theater, particularly admiring actors like for their naturalistic performances and commitment to work, which shaped his approach to character development. A defining moment came around age 14 or 15 when he secured his first leading role in a school production of , delivering a two-page that moved the audience and solidified his commitment to as a career.

Acting career

Early roles (1998–2009)

Panthaki began his professional acting career in the late 1990s with minor roles in British short films and anthology projects. His screen debut came in 1998 with the short film Jump Boy, directed by Menhaj Huda, where he portrayed a young aspiring gangster, marking his entry into the industry as an emerging talent from London's diverse acting scene. This was followed in 1999 by a supporting role as Mo in the "Grasshopper" segment of the anthology film Tube Tales, a collection of London Underground-inspired shorts featuring established actors like Jude Law and Bob Hoskins. Throughout the early 2000s, Panthaki secured a series of supporting roles in notable British films, often portraying characters from multicultural backgrounds. In 2002, he appeared as Private , a in a post-apocalyptic military unit, in Danny Boyle's horror thriller 28 Days Later, which highlighted his ability to handle intense ensemble dynamics amid the film's breakout success. That same year, he played the antagonist Hassan B, a rival to Sacha Baron Cohen's titular character, in the comedy , and took on the role of Anil, a friend in a romance, in , a Shakespeare-inspired drama exploring East End Indian heritage. In 2006, he portrayed Mark in , a role in which he also served as co-producer, contributing to the film's depiction of urban youth struggles. By 2007, he featured as Ravi, a supportive figure in the immigrant community, in the biographical drama Provoked, starring Aishwarya Rai and based on the true story of domestic abuse survivor . Panthaki's most prominent early television role was as Ronny Ferreira, a charismatic but romantically unlucky DJ, in the from 2003 to 2005, appearing in 158 episodes as part of the , the soap's first major Goan-Indian household. This stint provided steady visibility and allowed him to build a fanbase, though it reinforced patterns of ethnic-specific casting prevalent in British media at the time. As a British-Indian during this period, Panthaki encountered significant challenges, including into stereotypical roles such as terrorists, corner shop owners, or generic ethnic sidekicks, which limited opportunities for diverse character exploration. He has described auditioning for parts expecting white only to be overlooked, and navigating an industry that pigeonholed South Asian performers into narrow narratives, often comparing projects unfavorably to films like . These experiences underscored the broader barriers for of color in the UK, where multifaceted ambitions beyond were rarely encouraged, prompting Panthaki to persist through small but varied roles to establish his versatility.

Breakthrough period (2010–2019)

During the , Ray Panthaki's career gained momentum through a series of film and television roles that showcased his versatility, building on the foundation established by his earlier work in (2006). The film's exploration of urban youth struggles continued to resonate in the decade, influencing discussions on representation in British cinema and contributing to Panthaki's reputation as a voice for authentic storytelling from marginalized communities. Panthaki's television profile rose significantly with his recurring role as Detective Inspector Rav Sangha in the ITV crime series Marcella (2016–2021), debuting in the first season in 2016. As the no-nonsense lead detective on the homicide squad, Sangha provided a steady to the protagonist's turmoil, appearing across the initial and earning praise for bringing depth to procedural elements in the Nordic noir-inspired drama. In 2019, he played journalist Kamal Ahmed in the political thriller Official Secrets, directed by , supporting in a story based on the true events surrounding the dossier leak. By the late , Panthaki transitioned toward more diverse characters, moving beyond early in urban or stereotypical parts to embrace dramatic and period roles that challenged racial norms in casting. A pivotal example was his portrayal of French playwright Pierre Veber in the 2018 biographical drama , directed by , where he supported leads and in depicting the life of author Sidonie-Gabrielle . This role in a historical context highlighted his range, contributing to broader industry conversations on inclusive casting for non-white actors in European settings. Panthaki's rising prominence culminated in 2014 when he was named one of BAFTA's Breakthrough Brits, an accolade recognizing emerging talents in film, television, and games. The honor, which spotlighted his multifaceted contributions including acting in and producing shorts like Life Sentence (2013), provided significant career validation and opened doors to international opportunities, amplifying his advocacy for diverse narratives.

Recent projects (2020–present)

In 2020, Panthaki portrayed Ram Arya, the second-in-command on a Mars mission, in the series Away, starring opposite as the mission commander. The series explored themes of international collaboration and personal sacrifice amid a high-stakes space journey, with Panthaki's character representing the Indian Space Research Organisation (). That same year, he appeared as Jevan Kapadia, an investor manipulating 's criminal underworld, in the first season of the series Gangs of London. Panthaki's role as the intense Freeman in the 2021 film , directed by , marked a pivotal performance in his career, capturing the chaos of a restaurant kitchen in a single continuous take. For this portrayal, he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2021 (BIFA). The film, which also starred as the head chef, highlighted the grueling pressures of the and earned 11 BIFA nominations overall. In 2022, he played Charles de Guise, a scheming cardinal, in the historical drama , opposite as . He reprised the role of Freeman in the 2023 BBC and HBO Max television adaptation , now promoted to at a new restaurant called Point North, where his character grapples with personal distractions amid escalating kitchen tensions. The four-part series, co-directed by Barantini and Mounia Akl, expanded on the film's narrative, focusing on head chef Carly's leadership challenges and the team's dynamics. That year, he also appeared as Mr. Zeppelin in the music drama Bonus Track. In 2024, Panthaki was elected to the BAFTA Film Committee, joining figures like producer to support and celebrate British cinema. This role underscores his growing influence in the industry, where he contributes to BAFTA's film programming and awards processes. In 2025, he starred as Spencer in the thriller Black Diamond, a story of a deadly in a secluded mountain setting. Production on Panthaki's feature directorial debut In Starland began in early 2025, with wrapping in as of April 2025; the film features a first-look image of lead actor Clarence Maclin and explores a man's self-reinvention after encountering young artists in small-town America. Co-produced by Panthaki under Le with Daniel Khalili, the cast includes Maclin, Bella Maclean, , and Maxwell Cunningham.

Production and creative work

Founding Urban Way

In 2002, Ray Panthaki established Urban Way, a London-based aimed at fostering independent British by providing a platform for stories often overlooked in mainstream cinema. The motivation stemmed from Panthaki's frustration with limited opportunities that aligned with his vision, prompting him to create content himself to champion underrepresented voices in the UK film industry, particularly those addressing social issues like knife crime and . Urban Way's mission centers on producing experimental, independent films that prioritize creativity and artistic integrity over commercial viability, with a specific emphasis on urban narratives, diverse representation, and low-budget features that highlight marginalized perspectives. For instance, the company has committed to projects featuring underrepresented ethnic leads, such as Asian protagonists in key roles, to promote inclusivity in British storytelling. As founder and creative lead, Panthaki has worn multiple hats, serving as , director, and to guide the company's output from its as a modest back-bedroom operation. Urban Way's early milestone included co-producing the feature in 2006; by the mid-2010s, it had expanded to additional shorts and features, such as Panthaki's directorial debut Life Sentence in 2013 and in 2013, solidifying its role in nurturing innovative, low-budget independent projects.

Key directing and producing credits

Ray Panthaki made his directorial debut with the 2013 short film Life Sentence, which he also wrote, addressing the issue of knife crime among in the UK through the story of two schoolboys entangled in a tragic confrontation. The film premiered at the London Independent Film Festival, showcasing Panthaki's hands-on approach to storytelling in low-budget independent productions. In 2020, Panthaki directed and wrote Ernie, a short exploring themes of mental health, loneliness, and vulnerability through the life of a reclusive school caretaker influenced by his domineering father and right-wing propaganda. Produced under his company Urban Way, the film was part of the anthology The Uncertain Kingdom, reflecting Panthaki's commitment to socially relevant narratives in British independent cinema. As a producer, Panthaki co-produced the 2006 feature Kidulthood, championing the script as one of its earliest supporters and helping bring to life a raw depiction of urban youth struggles in London, which marked a pivotal entry in UK indie filmmaking. He later produced the 2013 dark comedy Convenience through Urban Way, a low-budget tale of bungling robbers in a petrol station that highlighted resourceful creativity in the British independent sector and won a BAFTA Cymru award. In 2016, he produced the romantic comedy One Crazy Thing, following a disgraced TV star's attempt to rebuild his life after a viral mishap, further demonstrating his support for diverse, character-driven indie projects. Panthaki served as executive producer on Boiling Point (2021) through Urban Way, a single-shot drama that received 11 BIFA nominations and four BAFTA nominations. In 2022, he co-founded Le Bateau Lavoir with Daniel Khalili, an auteur-driven production and finance house; projects include a biopic on boxer Prince and the feature adaptation of Ernie. His feature directorial debut, In Starland (2025), was produced under Urban Way. Panthaki's writing contributions extend to his directed shorts Life Sentence and Ernie, where he crafted scripts that blend personal insight with broader social commentary, often collaborating with emerging talents on independent endeavors. These efforts, including festival premieres like those for Life Sentence and Ernie, have bolstered the visibility of underrepresented voices in the British indie scene, fostering a platform for innovative, issue-driven storytelling.

Awards and recognition

Acting nominations and wins

Ray Panthaki received his first notable acting recognition in 2006 with a nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a Play at the TMA Theatre Awards for his role in the stage production Gladiator Games. In 2014, Panthaki was selected as one of the BAFTA Breakthrough Brits in the film category, highlighting his emerging talent as an actor following roles in projects like Life Sentence. Panthaki earned a for Best at the 2021 (BIFA) for his performance as Andy Freeman in the film . No major acting wins have been recorded in his career to date, though his festival appearances and contributions, such as starring in the award-winning Life Sentence (Best UK Short at the 2013 East End Film Festival), underscore his early impact in independent cinema.

Production honors

Panthaki's directorial and writing debut, the Life Sentence (2013), received the Best UK Short award at the East End , acknowledging its poignant exploration of urban youth and knife crime in London. In 2014, Panthaki was honored as a BAFTA Brit, celebrating his multifaceted contributions as a , , and director committed to fostering diverse narratives through his company Urban Way, founded to champion underrepresented voices in British cinema. This recognition highlighted his early producing efforts, including support for emerging talents addressing social issues. As producer on the independent feature (2015), Panthaki's involvement via Urban Way enabled director Keri Collins to win the Breakthrough Director award in 2014, praising the film's innovative take on petty crime and . Panthaki's producing credits have garnered further acclaim at the (BIFA). Urban Way co-produced (2021), which received 11 nominations at the 2021 BIFAs and won awards for Best Casting (Carolyn McLeod), Best Cinematography (Matthew Lewis), and Best Sound (Rob Entwistle, John Malone, Oliver Dibble, Andrew Caller), underscoring the company's impact on high-caliber, diverse independent productions. These honors reflect Urban Way's broader recognition for advancing inclusivity in , with Panthaki's leadership credited for amplifying stories from multicultural perspectives.

Activism and public engagement

Diversity advocacy in industry

Ray Panthaki has been vocal about the challenges faced by South Asian and minority actors in British media, particularly regarding typecasting and limited opportunities. In a 2023 interview following the success of Boiling Point, he reflected on his early career experiences, stating, "I was stereotyped as a brown actor," highlighting how such labels restricted roles to stereotypical portrayals rather than complex characters. He has advocated for breaking these barriers through diverse casting that prioritizes talent over ethnicity, emphasizing the need for stories that reflect modern Britain's multicultural society. In a 2018 discussion around his role in Colette, Panthaki called for the removal of racial casting restrictions, noting that minority actors often face systemic inequalities in auditions and script adaptations. Through his production company, Urban Way, Panthaki has actively promoted inclusive casting and narratives centered on underrepresented communities. The company's feature Convenience (2013), marked a milestone as the first British film to feature two Asian leads in non-ethnic-specific roles—a heist comedy starring himself and Dev Patel—challenging stereotypes and earning a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut. Panthaki has described this project as a deliberate effort to create opportunities for South Asian talent without relying on cultural clichés, producing it on a modest £80,000 budget to demonstrate viability for diverse stories. Urban Way continued this focus with Boiling Point (2021), a critically acclaimed ensemble drama showcasing multicultural kitchen staff, which garnered 11 BIFA awards and four BAFTA nominations for its authentic representation. Panthaki's Parsi heritage, as a member of India's minority Zoroastrian community through his second-generation Indian parents, informs his push for broader ethnic representation in film and TV. His involvement in industry bodies underscores this commitment; as of 2025, he has been serving on the BAFTA Film Committee since his 2024 election, where he contributes to decisions on awards, nominations, and initiatives that can advance diversity in British cinema. Additionally, through projects like the 2019 The Uncertain Kingdom, Panthaki directed Ernie, a piece exploring identity and belonging, further amplifying minority voices in post-Brexit Britain.

Public speaking and philanthropy

In 2022, Panthaki delivered a TEDxSoho talk entitled "Letting Go of the Edge," in which he shared his personal journey overcoming internal and external obstacles as an , emphasizing resilience and self-belief in pursuing creative careers. The presentation, held in May at TEDxSoho in , drew on his experiences to inspire audiences facing similar challenges in . As a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit, Panthaki has engaged in public speaking at BAFTA events, including a 2015 address at where he discussed his career trajectory and the opportunities for emerging talent in film and television. He continues to participate in BAFTA initiatives, having been elected to the Film Committee in 2024, where he contributes to discussions on industry standards and emerging voices. Panthaki supports arts education for underprivileged youth through involvement with BAFTA-partnered educational programs. Additionally, he has backed philanthropic efforts aiding vulnerable children, serving as a patron for the Children's Hope Foundation, which provides grants to families facing poverty, illness, or .

References

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