# Arian Nik

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{{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](/source/Leeds), England
| alma_mater   = [Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts](/source/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](/source/ITVX) horror sitcom ''[Count Abdulla](/source/Count_Abdulla)'' (2023).

==Early life==
Nik was born in [Leeds](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Roundhay_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](/source/Central_Junior_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](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in Acting from [Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts](/source/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](/source/Upstairs_at_The_Gatehouse) in 2016. That same year, he voiced Ammar Elkady for the ''[Doctor Who](/source/Doctor_Who)'' audio drama ''Absolute Power'' from [Big Finish Productions](/source/Big_Finish_Productions). This was followed by roles in ''The Ugly One'' at the [Park Theatre](/source/Park_Theatre_(London))<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](/source/Hull_Truck_Theatre) in 2017, ''The Village'' at [Theatre Royal Stratford East](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Killing_Eve)'' as Jay and the [Channel 4](/source/Channel_4) teen drama ''[Ackley Bridge](/source/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](/source/Artemis_Fowl_(film))'' and the Irish comedy-drama ''[Dating Amber](/source/Dating_Amber)''. He also appeared in an episode of the [BBC](/source/BBC) soap opera ''[Doctors](/source/Doctors_(2000_TV_series))'' as [Hamed Khan](/source/List_of_Doctors_characters_(2020)).<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](/source/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](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) crime drama ''[The Bay](/source/The_Bay_(TV_series))'' for its second series as Theo Anvari and the [CBBC](/source/CBBC) spinoff ''[Still So Awkward](/source/So_Awkward)'' as Josh Cooper. He appeared in the 2022 drama film ''[Allelujah](/source/Allelujah_(film))'' and was nominated for an [Offie](/source/Off_West_End_Award) 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](/source/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](/source/ITVX) comedy horror series ''[Count Abdulla](/source/Count_Abdulla)'' as titular character Abdulla Khan, a Muslim doctor who gets bitten by a vampire ([Jaime Winstone](/source/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](/source/Passenger_(2024_British_TV_series))'', 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](/source/Artemis_Fowl_(film))''
| Kanker
| [Disney+](/source/Disney%2B) film
|-
| ''[Dating Amber](/source/Dating_Amber)''
| Adam
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2022
| ''The Bower''
| Jude
| Short film
|-
| ''[Allelujah](/source/Allelujah_(film))''
| Abdul Kashani
|
|-
| 2024
| ''[The Beekeeper](/source/The_Beekeeper_(2024_film))''
| Tommy
| [Netflix](/source/Netflix) film
|-
| 2025
| ''[Giant](/source/Giant_(2025_film))''
| Riath Hamed
| 
|-
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2019
| ''[Killing Eve](/source/Killing_Eve)''
| Jay
| Episode: "Smell Ya Later"
|-
| ''[Ackley Bridge](/source/Ackley_Bridge_(series_3))''
| Yusef Ibrahim
| 1 episode
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2020
| ''[Van der Valk](/source/Van_der_Valk_(2020_TV_series))''
| Kalari Ramecker
| Episode: "Love in Amsterdam"
|-
| ''[Doctors](/source/Doctors_(2000_TV_series))''
| [Hamed Khan](/source/List_of_Doctors_characters_(2020))
| Episode: "Rejection"
|-
| rowspan="2" |  2021
| ''[The Bay](/source/The_Bay_(TV_series))''
| Theo Anvari
| 3 episodes (series 2)
|-
| ''[Still So Awkward](/source/So_Awkward)''
| Josh Cooper
| Main role
|-
| 2023
| ''[Count Abdulla](/source/Count_Abdulla)''
| Abdulla Khan
| Lead role
|-
| 2024
| ''[Passenger](/source/Passenger_(2024_British_TV_series))''
| Nish Chowdry
| Main role
|-
|2024–present
| ''[Daddy Issues](/source/Daddy_Issues_(TV_series))''
| Xander
| Recurring role: 9 episodes
|-
|2025
|[''Film Club''](/source/Film_Club_(TV_series))
|Kamran
|Recurring role
|-
|}

==Stage==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2016
| ''Remedial Remedies''
| Jack
| [Upstairs at The Gatehouse](/source/Upstairs_at_The_Gatehouse), London
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| ''The Ugly One''
| Karlmann
| [Park Theatre](/source/Park_Theatre_(London)), London
|-
| ''The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca''
| Terry Smallbone
| [Hull Truck Theatre](/source/Hull_Truck_Theatre), Kingston upon Hull
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2018
| ''The Village''
| Mekhal
| [Theatre Royal Stratford East](/source/Theatre_Royal_Stratford_East)
|-
| ''Cracked''
| {{n/a}}
| [Arcola Theatre](/source/Arcola_Theatre), London<br>Co-developed
|-
| 2019
| ''Pufferfish''
| Chris
| [Stadsschouwburg](/source/Stadsschouwburg), Amsterdam / VAULT Festival
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2022
| ''Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan''
| Farook
| [Brixton House](/source/Brixton_House), London / England tour
|-
| ''Sokhan Begoo''
| Various
| rowspan="2" | [Royal Court Theatre](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Big_Finish_Productions)
|-
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Year  
! Award
! Category
! Work
! Result 
! Ref.
|-
| 2021
| [Apolo Awards](/source/Apolo_Awards)
| Best Ensemble Cast
| ''Dating Amber''
| {{nom}}
| {{efn|Shared with ''Dating Amber'' cast.}}
|-
| 2022
| [Off West End Awards](/source/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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Arian Nik](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arian_Nik) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arian_Nik?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.