{{Short description|English actor (born 1994)}} {{Infobox person | image = | caption = | birth_name = Arian Mirzaali | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|11|4|df=y}} | birth_place = Leeds, England | alma_mater = Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts | occupation = | years_active = 2016–present }}
'''Arian Mirzaali''' (born 4 November 1994), known professionally as '''Arian Nik''', is an English actor and writer. He stars as the titular character of the ITVX horror sitcom ''Count Abdulla'' (2023).
==Early life== Nik was born in Leeds, and brought up by a single mother until age 6;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/count-abdulla-star-arian-nik-talks-representation-and-the-challenges-of-playing-a-muslim-vampire-interview/ljtx7fxk2|title='Count Abdulla' star Arian Nik talks faith, folklore, and the relatability of a Muslim vampire (Interview)|website=SBS What's On|first=Travis|last=Johnson|date=3 October 2023|accessdate=7 December 2023}}</ref> he and his mother stayed at a Women's Aid Hostel before getting a council flat in Meanwood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://housecollective.com/journal/talking-about-a-revolution-arian-nik|title=Talking About A Revolution: Arian Nik on Muslim vampires, radical authenticity and social conditioning|journal=House Collective|first=John-Paul|last=Pryor|date=June 2023|accessdate=7 December 2023}}</ref> Nik attended Roundhay Comprehensive School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/01/the-coversation-modular-gcses|title=Do modular GCSE examinations encourage resits?|journal=The Guardian|first=Oliver|last=Laughland|date=1 July 2011|accessdate=5 October 2022}}</ref> He also took classes with the Television Workshop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellerheadshots.co.uk/single-post/2016/10/14/october-spotlight-arian-nik|title=October Spotlight -Arian Nik|website=Karolina Heller|date=14 October 2016|accessdate=6 December 2022}}</ref> He was originally going to study Broadcast Journalism at university, but instead convinced his parents to let him go to drama school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voicebanklondon.co.uk/artist/arian-nik|title=Arian Nik|website=Voicebank London|accessdate=15 May 2023}}</ref> Nik graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 2016, and served on the board of Mountview until 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mountview.org.uk/news/mountview-alumni-news-march-2019/|title=Mountview Alumni News March 2019|website=Mountview|date=March 2019|accessdate=5 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.menaarts.uk/steering-group-members|title=steering group members|website=MENA Arts UK|accessdate=5 October 2022}}</ref>
==Career== Nik began his career in theatre, playing ''Remedial Remedies'' at Upstairs at The Gatehouse in 2016. That same year, he voiced Ammar Elkady for the ''Doctor Who'' audio drama ''Absolute Power'' from Big Finish Productions. This was followed by roles in ''The Ugly One'' at the Park Theatre<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrcarlwoodward.com/interview/the-ugly-one-at-park-theatre-interview-arian-nik/|title=The Ugly One At Park Theatre, Interview: Arian Nik: "Art, Theatre & Performance Is One Of The Best Outlets Of Frustration & Another Opportunity To Have You Voice Heard."|website=Carl Woodward|date=13 July 2017|accessdate=6 December 2022}}</ref> and ''The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca'' at Hull Truck Theatre in 2017, ''The Village'' at Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/first-look-at-the-village-at-theatre-royal-stratford-east|title=First Look at The Village at Theatre Royal Stratford East|website=Playbill|first=Hannah|last=Vine|date=13 September 2018|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref> and ''Pufferfish'' for the 2019 VAULT Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.matthewschmolleproductions.com/pufferfish|title=Pufferfish|website=Matthew Schmolle Productions|accessdate=6 December 2022}}</ref> He co-developed ''Cracked'' for the Arcola Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/strands/|title=Strands|website=Arcola Theatre|first=Tom|last=Collinson|date=23 September 2018|accessdate=6 December 2022}}</ref>
Also in 2019, Nik made his television debut with guest appearances in the BBC spy thriller ''Killing Eve'' as Jay and the Channel 4 teen drama ''Ackley Bridge'' as Yusef Ibrahim. This was followed by his feature film debut in 2020 with small roles in the Disney adaptation of ''Artemis Fowl'' and the Irish comedy-drama ''Dating Amber''. He also appeared in an episode of the BBC soap opera ''Doctors'' as Hamed Khan.<ref name="14may">{{Cite news|url=https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/events/doctors-spoilers-ruhma-carter-2/|title=Doctors spoilers: WHO is spying on Ruhma Carter?|work=What's on TV|last=Timblick|first=Simon|access-date=14 May 2020|archive-date=16 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516052400/https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/events/doctors-spoilers-ruhma-carter-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2021, Nik joined the cast of the ITV crime drama ''The Bay'' for its second series as Theo Anvari and the CBBC spinoff ''Still So Awkward'' as Josh Cooper. He appeared in the 2022 drama film ''Allelujah'' and was nominated for an Offie for his performance in the play ''Kabul Goes Pop''. After protesting in person in London, Nik wrote an article for ''BRICKS Magazine'' that November to spread awareness about the death of Mahsa Amini and its aftermath.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bricksmagazine.co.uk/2022/11/23/we-are-tired-of-hiding-we-are-tired-of-whispering-we-are-revolting/|title="We Are Tired of Hiding. We Are Tired of Whispering. We Are Revolting."|journal=BRICKS Magazine|first=Arian|last=Nik|date=23 November 2022|accessdate=15 May 2023}}</ref>
As of 2023, Nik leads the ITVX comedy horror series ''Count Abdulla'' as titular character Abdulla Khan, a Muslim doctor who gets bitten by a vampire (Jaime Winstone).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tellymix.co.uk/streaming/630452-count-abdulla-arian-nik-and-jaime-winstone-star-in-new-itvx-comedy.html|title=Count Abdulla: Arian Nik and Jaime Winstone star in new ITVX comedy|website=TellyMix|first=Josh|last=Darvill|date=22 August 2022|accessdate=6 December 2022}}</ref> The following year, he had a role as Nish Chowdry in the ensemble of the thriller ''Passenger'', also for ITVX.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revamp-magazine.co.uk/ella-may-bruccoleri-arian-nik|title=Ella May Bruccoleri & Arian Nik|journal=ReVamp Magazine|first=Jordan|last=Arthur|date=29 March 2024|accessdate=30 April 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life== Nik lives in London with his long-term partner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bricksmagazine.co.uk/2023/06/22/count-abdulla-star-arian-nik-muslim-vampire-tv-screens/|title=Count Abdulla Star Arian Nik On Bringing His Muslim Vampire To TV Screens|journal=Bricks|first=Madline|last=Reid|date=22 June 2023|accessdate=30 June 2023}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2013 | ''No Regrets'' | Tom | Short film |- | rowspan="2" | 2020 | ''Artemis Fowl'' | Kanker | Disney+ film |- | ''Dating Amber'' | Adam | |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | ''The Bower'' | Jude | Short film |- | ''Allelujah'' | Abdul Kashani | |- | 2024 | ''The Beekeeper'' | Tommy | Netflix film |- | 2025 | ''Giant'' | Riath Hamed | |- |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 2019 | ''Killing Eve'' | Jay | Episode: "Smell Ya Later" |- | ''Ackley Bridge'' | Yusef Ibrahim | 1 episode |- | rowspan="2" | 2020 | ''Van der Valk'' | Kalari Ramecker | Episode: "Love in Amsterdam" |- | ''Doctors'' | Hamed Khan | Episode: "Rejection" |- | rowspan="2" | 2021 | ''The Bay'' | Theo Anvari | 3 episodes (series 2) |- | ''Still So Awkward'' | Josh Cooper | Main role |- | 2023 | ''Count Abdulla'' | Abdulla Khan | Lead role |- | 2024 | ''Passenger'' | Nish Chowdry | Main role |- |2024–present | ''Daddy Issues'' | Xander | Recurring role: 9 episodes |- |2025 |''Film Club'' |Kamran |Recurring role |- |}
==Stage== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2016 | ''Remedial Remedies'' | Jack | Upstairs at The Gatehouse, London |- | rowspan="2" | 2017 | ''The Ugly One'' | Karlmann | Park Theatre, London |- | ''The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca'' | Terry Smallbone | Hull Truck Theatre, Kingston upon Hull |- | rowspan="2" | 2018 | ''The Village'' | Mekhal | Theatre Royal Stratford East |- | ''Cracked'' | {{n/a}} | Arcola Theatre, London<br>Co-developed |- | 2019 | ''Pufferfish'' | Chris | Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam / VAULT Festival |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | ''Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan'' | Farook | Brixton House, London / England tour |- | ''Sokhan Begoo'' | Various | rowspan="2" | Royal Court Theatre, London<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://royalcourttheatre.com/cast/arian-nik/|title=Arian Nik|website=Royal Court Theatre|accessdate=15 May 2023}}</ref> |- | 2023 | ''Blue Mist'' | Rashid |- | 2025 | ''Speed'' | Sameer | rowspan="2" | Bush Theatre, London<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/speed/|title=Arian Nik|website=Bush Theatre|accessdate=9 May 2025}}</ref> |- |}
==Audio== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2016 | ''Doctor Who: Absolute Power'' | Ammar Elkady | Big Finish Productions |- |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result ! Ref. |- | 2021 | Apolo Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | ''Dating Amber'' | {{nom}} | {{efn|Shared with ''Dating Amber'' cast.}} |- | 2022 | Off West End Awards | Lead Performance in a Play | ''Kabul Goes Pop'' | {{nom}} | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://offies.london/arian-nik-kabul-goes-pop-brixton-house-offies-2022-newnoms-lead-performance-in-a-play/|title=Arian Nik – Kabul Goes Pop – Brixton House #Offies 2022 #NewNoms: Lead Performance in a Play|website=Offies|accessdate=7 February 2023}}</ref> |- |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|9699455}} * [https://www.spotlight.com/3417-8943-5085 Arian Nik] at Spotlight
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nik, Arian}} Category:Living people Category:1994 births Category:Alumni of the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts Category:21st-century English male actors Category:English people of Iranian descent Category:Male actors from Leeds Category:People educated at Roundhay School Category:People from Meanwood Category:English male film actors Category:English male stage actors Category:English male television actors