{{Short description|British actor and rapper (born 1982)}} {{About|the multihyphenate entertainer|other people with a similar name|Rizwan Ahmed (disambiguation)}} {{Use British English|date=May 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Riz Ahmed | image = Riz Ahmed-7658 (cropped).jpg | caption = Ahmed at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival | birth_name = Rizwan Ahmed | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1982|12|1}} | birth_place = London, England<!--No boroughs/neighbourhoods, just cities per format.--> | education = Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood | alma_mater = {{Unbulleted list|Christ Church, Oxford|Royal Central School of Drama}} | spouse = {{marriage|Fatima Farheen Mirza|2020}} | children = 1 | occupation = {{hlist|Actor}} | awards = Full list | years_active = 2006–present | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | alias = Riz MC | current_member_of = Swet Shop Boys | genre = {{hlist|Hip-hop|political hip-hop|British hip-hop|alternative rap|conscious|qawwali}} | years_active = 2006–present | label = {{hlist|Battered{{efn|name=selfownedlabels|Self-owned indie hip-hop label.}}|Crosstown Rebels|Tru Thoughts|Customs|Mongrel{{efn|name=selfownedlabels}}}}<!--Both of self-owned indie-labels are already mentioned in the body of this article.--> }} }}
'''Rizwan Ahmed{{efn|{{IPA|ur|ɾɪzˌwɑːn ˈɛɦˌməd̪}}.}}''' (born {{Birth date|1982|12|1|df=y}}) is a British actor and rapper. He has received several awards, including an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, and nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and two British Academy Film Awards. In 2017, he was named by ''Time'' as one of the most influential people in the world.
After studying acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Ahmed began his acting career with independent films such as ''The Road to Guantanamo''(2006), ''Shifty'' (2008), ''Four Lions'' (2010), ''Trishna'' (2011), and ''The Reluctant Fundamentalist'' (2012). He had his break-out role in ''Nightcrawler'' (2014), which led to roles in the 2016 big-budget films ''Jason Bourne'' and ''Rogue One''. For starring as a young man accused of murder in the HBO miniseries ''The Night Of'' (2016), Ahmed won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series. He received another Emmy nomination in the same year for his guest role in ''Girls''. He went on to play Carlton Drake in the superhero film ''Venom'' (2018) and a drummer who loses his hearing in the drama film ''Sound of Metal'' (2019). The latter earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He produced, co-wrote, and starred in ''Mogul Mowgli'' (2020), which earned a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film.
As a rapper, Ahmed is a member of the Swet Shop Boys, and has earned critical acclaim with the hip-hop albums ''Microscope'' and ''Cashmere'', and commercial success featuring in the ''Billboard'' 200 chart-topping ''Hamilton Mixtape'', with his song "Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)" winning an MTV Video Music Award. His second studio album, ''The Long Goodbye,'' was accompanied by a short film of the same name, which won him the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
==Early life and education == Ahmed was born on 1 December 1982<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=141668.html|title=Riz Ahmed|website=AlloCiné|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-date=16 June 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616144958/http://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=141668.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in Wembley, a suburb in the London Borough of Brent, to a British Pakistani family of Bhojpuri Muhajir background.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/23/riz-ahmed-talks-rogue-one-and-jason-bourne|title=Riz Ahmed: 'You don't need to tell me we live in scary times. I'm Muslim'|work=The Guardian|date=23 July 2016|access-date=23 July 2016|archive-date=24 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724162827/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/23/riz-ahmed-talks-rogue-one-and-jason-bourne|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Riz |date=23 June 2016 |title=Grandparents migrated from India to Pakistan in partition, parents came to UK in 70s |url=https://twitter.com/rizmc/status/746092455825711110 |website=Twitter |language=en |access-date=31 October 2017 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003911/https://twitter.com/rizmc/status/746092455825711110 |url-status=live }}</ref> His parents moved to England from Karachi, Pakistan, during the 1970s.<ref name="guardian"/> Ahmed's father is a shipping broker,<ref>{{cite web |last=Hattenstone |first=Simon |date=27 April 2013 |title=Riz Ahmed: actor, rapper, ranter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/apr/27/riz-ahmed-actor-rapper-ranter |access-date=6 August 2018 |website=the Guardian |archive-date=8 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708133423/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/apr/27/riz-ahmed-actor-rapper-ranter |url-status=live }}</ref> and he is a descendant of Shah Muhammad Sulaiman, the first Indian Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/profile/story/20130603-mira-nair-the-reluctant-fundamentalist-changez-mohsin-hamid-763627-1999-11-29|title=London meets Lahore|work=India Today|date=1 May 2017|access-date=31 August 2015|archive-date=19 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119224058/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mira-nair-the-reluctant-fundamentalist-changez-mohsin-hamid/1/272856.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His older brother, Kamran, is a psychiatrist, and his older sister is a lawyer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lordi |first=Emily |date=2025-08-22 |title=Riz Ahmed's Latest Reinvention |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/t-magazine/riz-ahmed-relay.html |access-date=2026-05-11 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |quote=As the youngest child, Ahmed had license to stray from the traditional paths taken by his sister (a lawyer) and brother (a psychiatrist).}}</ref>
Ahmed attended Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood, through a scholarship programme. Ahmed and journalist Mehdi Hasan were classmates, and Hasan's mother was Ahmed's general practitioner. He graduated from Christ Church, Oxford University, with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). He experienced a culture shock at Oxford, nearly dropping out due to the isolating atmosphere. Instead, Ahmed organised parties to celebrate cultures which did not conform to the dominant "elitist, white" and "black-tie" culture of Oxford.<ref>{{cite web|title=Skin Deep meets Riz Ahmed|url=http://www.skindeepmag.com/online-articles/riz-ahmed-oxford-race-identity-islam-acting-music-america-britain/|website=Skindeepmag.com|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220230648/http://www.skindeepmag.com/online-articles/riz-ahmed-oxford-race-identity-islam-acting-music-america-britain/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later studied acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.<ref name="guardian"/>
==Acting career== ===2000s=== Ahmed's film career began in the 2006 Michael Winterbottom film ''The Road to Guantánamo'', in which he played the part of Shafiq Rasul, a member of the Tipton Three. He and another actor involved in the film were detained at Luton Airport upon their return from the Berlin Film Festival where the film won a Silver Bear Award.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4736748.stm | work=BBC News | title=Guantanamo duo 'held' at airport | date=21 February 2006 | access-date=8 November 2009 | archive-date=2 September 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902061026/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4736748.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> Ahmed alleged that during questioning, police asked him whether he had become an actor to further the Islamic cause, questioned him on his views of the Iraq War, verbally abused him, and denied him access to a telephone.<ref name="Questioned">[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/feb/21/film.terrorism "Guantánamo actors questioned under terror act after film festival"], ''The Guardian'', 21 February 2006 [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/feb/21/film.terrorism]</ref>
In 2007, he portrayed Sohail Waheed in the Channel 4 drama, ''Britz''. Ahmed then portrayed Riq in the five-part horror thriller ''Dead Set'' for E4 and Manesh Kunzru in ITV1's ''Wired'' in 2008. Also that year he played a primary school teacher in Staffroom Monologues for the specialist channel ''Teachers TV''. In July 2009, he appeared in ''Freefall'' alongside Sarah Harding.<ref name="guardian"/> He featured in the title role of the 2009 independent film ''Shifty'', directed by Eran Creevy, where he plays a day in the life of a charismatic young drug dealer. He was nominated for Best Actor at the 2008 British Independent Film Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bifa.film/awards/winners/2008 |title=Winners 2008 |publisher=British Independent Film Awards |access-date=23 July 2016 |archive-date=15 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815202601/https://www.bifa.film/awards/winners/2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== 2010s === left|thumb|upright|Ahmed at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival Continuing his film career, he featured in the 2009 Sally Potter production of ''Rage'' and in 2010, starred in Chris Morris' satire on terrorism, ''Four Lions'', for which he received his second British Independent Film Award nomination for Best Actor. Ahmed also had a supporting role in Neil Marshall's historical thriller ''Centurion''.<ref name="uselessdaily">{{cite web|url=https://www.uselessdaily.com/movies/riz-ahmed-trivia-33-interesting-facts-about-the-actor/|title=Riz Ahmed Trivia: 33 interesting facts about the actor! – Useless Daily: The amazing facts, news & trivia free newsletter!|website=Uselessdaily.com|date=17 December 2016|language=en-US|access-date=9 April 2017|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221103238/http://www.uselessdaily.com/movies/riz-ahmed-trivia-33-interesting-facts-about-the-actor/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, he starred as one of the leading roles in the London-based film ''Ill Manors'', directed by Plan B. Ahmed received his third British Independent Film Award nomination for Best Actor. He assumed the lead role in Mira Nair's adaptation of the best-selling novel by Mohsin Hamid, ''The Reluctant Fundamentalist'', alongside Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, Om Puri, Shabana Azmi, and Liev Schreiber.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenindia.com/news/-Politeness-can-kill-you-in-movies-/551446/|title=Politeness can kill you in movies|date=8 December 2009|author=Debesh Bannerjee|work=Screen|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227063632/http://www.screenindia.com/news/-Politeness-can-kill-you-in-movies-/551446/|archive-date=27 February 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Ahmed is also known for his stage performances such as in the Asian Dub Foundation opera ''Gaddafi'' and a starring role as psychotic serial-killer-turned-born-again-Christian Lucius in the Lighthouse Theatre's acclaimed production of Stephen Adly Guirgis's ''Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train'' (directed by Jack William Clift and Thomas Sweatman) as well as in Shan Khan's ''Prayer Room''.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=HFPA Announces the Timetable for the 78th Golden Globe Awards|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/hfpa-announces-timetable-78th-golden-globe-awards|access-date=10 November 2020|website=www.goldenglobes.com|date=27 July 2020 |language=en|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804162931/https://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/hfpa-announces-timetable-78th-golden-globe-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ahmed directed and wrote a 2014 short film, ''Daytimer''. It won the Best Live Action Short award at Nashville Film Festival, and was nominated for the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|id=1981893|name=Riz Ahmed}}</ref> In 2014, Ahmed appeared in Dan Gilroy's ''Nightcrawler''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/riz-ahmed-winning-rave-reviews-for-new-film-role-1-3591626|title=Riz Ahmed winning rave reviews for new film role|website=The Scotsman|first=Claire|last=Black|date=2 November 2014|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919163745/http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/riz-ahmed-winning-rave-reviews-for-new-film-role-1-3591626|url-status=live}}</ref> Ahmed received acclaim for his portrayal in the film and gained numerous awards nominations during awards season.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/2014-gotham-awards-winners-list-live-stream/|title=Gotham Awards 2014: Complete Winners List|last2=Travis|first2=Reilly|date=1 December 2014|publisher=TheWrap|last1=Pond|first1=Steve|access-date=19 September 2016|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124115203/https://www.thewrap.com/2014-gotham-awards-winners-list-live-stream/|url-status=live}}</ref> Riz Ahmed was one of seventy-five actors to audition for the role of Rick.<ref name="Audio Commetary">{{cite AV media notes|title=Nightcrawler Blu-ray edition|others=Dan Gilroy, John Gilroy, Tony Gilroy|type=Audio commentary|publisher=Universal Studios Home Entertainment|year=2015}}</ref> The British actor was attending a friend's wedding in Los Angeles, when his talent agent suggested he meet Gilroy to discuss the film's script. Gilroy told Ahmed that he had seen his previous work; he was not fit for the role, but still allowed him to audition.<ref name="The Scotsman">{{cite web|last=Black|first=Claire|url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/riz-ahmed-winning-rave-reviews-for-new-film-role-1-3591626|title=Riz Ahmed winning rave reviews for new film role|work=The Scotsman|date=2 November 2014|access-date=14 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919163745/http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/riz-ahmed-winning-rave-reviews-for-new-film-role-1-3591626|archive-date=19 September 2016}}</ref> Within the first minute of his audition tape, however, Gilroy felt confident in the actor's abilities.<ref name="Audio Commetary"/> To prepare for the role, Ahmed met with homeless people in Skid Row, and researched homeless shelters to "understand the system". He found that most of the people dealt with abandonment issues, and attempted to replicate this in Rick's abusive relationship with Lou.<ref name="The Scotsman"/>
[[File:Riz Ahmed at the Rogue One - A Star Wars Story - World Premeire Red Carpet - DSC 0437 (31547570706) (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|upright|Ahmed at the premiere of ''Rogue One'' in 2016]] In 2016, he appeared in ''Rogue One'', the first film in the new ''Star Wars'' anthology films as Bodhi Rook, a defected imperial pilot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/1919531-1919531|title=Riz Ahmed reveals how his 'Rogue One' character changed during shooting|website=NME|first=Nick|last=Levine|date=20 December 2016|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=24 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224235809/http://www.nme.com/news/1919531-1919531|url-status=live}}</ref> The film garnered critical acclaim and earned Ahmed a nomination for the Best Male Newcomer at the Empire Awards.<ref name="EmpireAwards">{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/three-empire-awards-2017-rogue-one-tom-hiddleston-patrick-stewart-win-big/ |title=Three Empire Awards 2017: Rogue One, Tom Hiddleston And Patrick Stewart Win Big |last=Nugent |first=John |work=Empire |date=19 March 2017 |access-date=19 March 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031609/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/three-empire-awards-2017-rogue-one-tom-hiddleston-patrick-stewart-win-big/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a commercial success and became Disney's fourth of 2016 to earn $1 billion in ticket sales.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/rogue-one-star-wars-crosses-1-billion-disney-moana-500-million-worldwide-box-office-1201891739/ |title='Rogue One' Blasts Past $1B at Global Box Office; 'Moana' Sails To $500M+ |author=Nancy Tartaglione |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=22 January 2017 |access-date=22 January 2017 |archive-date=23 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123001218/http://deadline.com/2017/01/rogue-one-star-wars-crosses-1-billion-disney-moana-500-million-worldwide-box-office-1201891739/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the second highest-grossing film of 2016, the third highest-grossing ''Star Wars'' film, and the 22nd highest-grossing film of all time, all unadjusted for inflation. In the United States, it was the top-grossing film of 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 Domestic Grosses |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2016&p=.htm |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=23 January 2017 |archive-date=23 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023022724/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2016&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.samaa.tv/entertainment/2016/12/rogue-one-maintains-stellar-course-at-box-office/|title='Rogue One' maintains stellar course at box office|work=Samaa Web Desk|publisher=Samaa TV|access-date=3 November 2018|archive-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412225924/https://www.samaa.tv/entertainment/2016/12/rogue-one-maintains-stellar-course-at-box-office/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Deadline Hollywood'' calculated the net profit of the film to be $319.6 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues for the film, making it the 3rd most profitable release of 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/04/rogue-one-box-office-profit-2016-1202054697/ |title=No. 3 'Rogue One' Box Office Profits – 2016 Most Valuable Movie Blockbuster Tournament |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=3 April 2017 |access-date=3 April 2017 |archive-date=3 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403211444/http://deadline.com/2017/04/rogue-one-box-office-profit-2016-1202054697/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2016, Ahmed played the role of Nasir "Naz" Khan in the HBO miniseries ''The Night Of'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/riz-ahmed-the-night-of-finale-hbo-1201846646/|title=Riz Ahmed on the 'Devastating' Finale of HBO's 'The Night Of' (Spoilers)|website=Variety|first=Debra|last=Birnbaum|date=29 August 2016|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113150830/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/riz-ahmed-the-night-of-finale-hbo-1201846646/|url-status=live}}</ref> and once again received universal praise for his performance, earning him Emmy,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2017/07/13/2017-emmy-nominations-the-full-list/|title=2017 Emmy Nominations: The Full List|first=Madeline|last=Berg|date=13 July 2017|website=Forbes.com|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106081712/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2017/07/13/2017-emmy-nominations-the-full-list/|url-status=live}}</ref> Golden Globe<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/12/12/golden-globe-nominations-2017-globes-awards-nominees/|title=Golden Globes: People v. O.J. Simpson, Night Manager, This Is Us, Westworld, The Crown, black-ish Lead TV Nominees|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=12 December 2016|publisher=TVLine|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212224557/http://tvline.com/2016/12/12/golden-globe-nominations-2017-globes-awards-nominees/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/29/entertainment/sag-winners-list-2017/|title=SAG winners list: Who won what|date=2 February 2017|website=CNN|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801005631/https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/29/entertainment/sag-winners-list-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appeared in the final season of ''Girls'', earning him another Emmy nomination.<ref name="vanity">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/07/2017-emmy-nominations-list|title=2017 Emmy Nominations Announced: See the Full List|date=13 July 2017|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127224833/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/07/2017-emmy-nominations-list|url-status=live}}</ref> At the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, Ahmed won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his performance in ''The Night Of'',<ref name=emmyhistory>{{cite web|last1=Vincent|first1=Alice|title=Riz Ahmed makes history as the first Muslim man to win an acting Emmy|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/09/18/riz-ahmed-makes-history-first-muslim-man-win-acting-emmy/|website=The Telegraph|accessdate=18 September 2017|date=18 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ruby|first=Jennifer|date=18 September 2017|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/riz-ahmed-becomes-first-asian-man-to-win-an-acting-emmy-for-the-night-of-a3637001.html|title=Riz Ahmed becomes first Asian man to win an acting Emmy Award|work=Evening Standard|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518122211/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/riz-ahmed-becomes-first-asian-man-to-win-an-acting-emmy-for-the-night-of-a3637001.html|url-status=live}}</ref> winning over Robert De Niro, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ewan McGregor, Geoffrey Rush and co-star John Turturro.<ref name=emmyhistory /> This made Ahmed the first Asian and first Muslim to win in the category, the first South Asian male to win an acting Emmy,<ref name=emmyhistory/> and the first Muslim and first South Asian to win a lead acting Emmy; the only previous South Asian to win an acting Emmy was British Asian actress Archie Panjabi for a supporting role in 2010.<ref name="latimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-riz-ahmed-aziz-ansari-emmys-20170919-story.html|title=Two Muslims walk into the Emmys...|first=Lorraine|last=Ali|date=19 September 2017|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/riz-ahmed-is-the-first-muslim-south-asian-emmy-winning-actor-ever-2369570|title=Why Riz Ahmed's Emmy Win Is Extra Exciting|first=Jamie|last=Primeau|date=18 September 2017|website=Bustle.com|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125105220/https://www.bustle.com/p/riz-ahmed-is-the-first-muslim-south-asian-emmy-winning-actor-ever-2369570|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2017, it was rumoured that Ahmed was to play ''Hamlet'' in a Netflix adaptation of the Shakespeare play,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/10/17/report-riz-ahmed-hamlet-netflix|title=Report: Riz Ahmed to play Hamlet in new Netflix movie|website=The FADER|language=en|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=22 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222041849/https://www.thefader.com/2017/10/17/report-riz-ahmed-hamlet-netflix|url-status=live}}</ref> which Ahmed later confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/riz-ahmed-bbc-englistan-hamlet-1203143686/|title=Riz Ahmed Gears Up for 'Englistan' Series and 'Hamlet,' Talks U.S. and U.K. TV Biz|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|date=20 February 2019|website=Variety|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220154617/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/riz-ahmed-bbc-englistan-hamlet-1203143686/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Riz Ahmed by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright|Ahmed at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con]] In 2018, Ahmed starred in ''Venom'' in the dual role of Carlton Drake, the Life Foundation's leader experimenting on symbiotes, and Riot, a symbiote team leader allied with Drake who seeks to invade Earth.<ref name="CC2018Deadline">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/as-tom-hardy-promised-a-new-venom-trailer-drops-at-cinemacon-1202374973/|title=Tom Hardy Presents New 'Venom' Trailer at CinemaCon – Watch|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=23 April 2018|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427131035/http://deadline.com/2018/04/as-tom-hardy-promised-a-new-venom-trailer-drops-at-cinemacon-1202374973/|archive-date=27 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SDCC2018Panel">{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/venom-footage/|title=New 'Venom' Footage Reveals Riot, Promises a Film with No Heroes|last=Foutch|first=Haleigh|website=Collider|date=20 July 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721221713/http://collider.com/venom-footage/|archive-date=21 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Ahmed explained that Drake is trying to save the future of humanity when he discovers the symbiote,<ref name="SDCC2018Panel" /> with Fleischer adding that Drake has a positive goal but a "moral ambiguity" that leads to him testing his science on other people.<ref name="FleischerOct2018ColliderSpoilers">{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/ruben-fleischer-interview-venom-spoilers/|title=Director Ruben Fleischer on 'Venom', Carnage, and Tom Hardy's Insane Performance|last=Weintraub|first=Steve|website=Collider|date=12 October 2018|access-date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017082118/http://collider.com/ruben-fleischer-interview-venom-spoilers/|archive-date=17 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
As of 2018, films that Ahmed had been involved in had collectively grossed {{US$|2.4 billion|long=no}} at the worldwide box office.<ref>{{cite web |title=Riz Ahmed - Box Office |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/person/193470401-Riz-Ahmed#tab=acting |website=The Numbers |access-date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=10 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210063218/https://www.the-numbers.com/person/193470401-Riz-Ahmed#tab=acting |url-status=live }}</ref>
Following his mixtape under the same name, Ahmed's ''Englistan'', an original TV series was commissioned by BBC Two and Left Handed Films in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/englistan|title=BBC Two announces Englistan created by Riz Ahmed - Media Centre|website=www.bbc.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222012949/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/englistan|archive-date=22 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The series will tell the story of three generations of a British Pakistani family.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://tbivision.com/2019/02/19/riz-ahmed-british-tv-has-no-choice-but-to-take-more-risks/|title=Riz Ahmed: British TV "has no choice" but to take more risks|last=Ago|first=2 Days|date=19 February 2019|website=TBI Vision|language=en-US|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220211431/https://tbivision.com/2019/02/19/riz-ahmed-british-tv-has-no-choice-but-to-take-more-risks/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ahmed describes the series as "a period drama – unlike any other period drama you have seen before."<ref name=":2" /> More currently, his production company secured a first look deal with Amazon.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 January 2021|title=Riz Ahmed Inks First-Look Deal With Amazon (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riz-ahmed-inks-first-look-deal-with-amazon-exclusive|access-date=20 January 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119231903/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riz-ahmed-inks-first-look-deal-with-amazon-exclusive|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== 2020s === Ahmed starred in the American drama film ''Sound of Metal'', which was distributed by Amazon Studios and released in 2020, after having premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019. Ahmed plays a drummer who loses his hearing. The film co-stars Olivia Cooke as his girlfriend, and Paul Raci as the leader of a Deaf retreat. ''IndieWire'' film critic Eric Kohn praised Ahmed's performance, writing "Ahmed's so believable that he keeps the suspense of the drama in play even as it pushes into contrived circumstances during the prolonged final act, and eventually takes a melodramatic plunge."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/09/sound-of-metal-review-riz-ahmed-tiff-1202171828/|title='Sound of Metal' Review: Riz Ahmed Is Brilliant as a Heavy Metal Drummer Who Goes Deaf|website=IndieWire|first=Eric|last=Kohn|date=7 September 2019|access-date=3 February 2021|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920212051/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/09/sound-of-metal-review-riz-ahmed-tiff-1202171828/|url-status=live}}</ref> For his performance he has received Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, BAFTA Award, Critics Choice Award, and Independent Spirit Award nominations. He is the first Muslim and British Pakistani actor to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
[[File:Riz Ahmed 01.jpg|alt=Riz Ahmed at the 2025 Telluride Film Festival|thumb|upright|Ahmed at the 2025 Telluride Film Festival]] In 2021, Ahmed also executive produced the animated documentary film ''Flee'' which made its international debut at the Sundance Film Festival. The film was universally praised by critics and nominated for Best International Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature and Best Animated Feature at the 94th Academy Awards .<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flee |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flee |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nordyke |first1=Kimberly |last2=Lewis |first2=Hilary |date=February 8, 2022 |title=Oscars: Full List of Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscar-nominations-2022-nominees-list-1235088770/ |accessdate=February 8, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
In February 2021, Ahmed was nominated and won in the best debut screenwriter category for the film ''Mogul Mowgli'' at the delayed British Independent Film Awards 2020.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grater|first=Tom|date=18 February 2021|title='Rocks' & 'His House' Win Big at British Independent Film Awards|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/rocks-his-house-win-big-british-independent-film-awards-1234696242/|access-date=19 February 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=18 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218205555/https://deadline.com/2021/02/rocks-his-house-win-big-british-independent-film-awards-1234696242/|url-status=live}}</ref> Starring in the main role as a British-Pakistani rapper, ''The Guardian'' film critic Wendy Ide praised his "blistering performance" on screen.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 November 2020|title=Mogul Mowgli review – fierce, unrelenting film-making|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/nov/01/mogul-mowgli-review-riz-ahmed-bassam-tariq|access-date=19 February 2021|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112125732/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/nov/01/mogul-mowgli-review-riz-ahmed-bassam-tariq|url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2021, Ahmed was named as head of the Platform Prize jury for the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival.<ref>Dade Hayes, [https://deadline.com/2021/08/toronto-film-festival-platform-lineup-riz-ahmed-dune-nba-1234812795/ "Toronto Film Festival Sets Platform Competition Slate, With Riz Ahmed Heading Jury; ‘Dune’ Imax Run, NBA 75th Anniversary Join Lineup"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813045245/https://deadline.com/2021/08/toronto-film-festival-platform-lineup-riz-ahmed-dune-nba-1234812795/ |date=13 August 2021 }}. ''Deadline Hollywood'', August 11, 2021.</ref> In November 2021, Ahmed was announced as a recipient of the Richard Harris Award, which is given to an actor or actress who has "contributed significantly to British films throughout their career".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ritman |first1=Alex |title=Riz Ahmed to Receive Top British Independent Film Awards Honor |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/riz-ahmed-bifa-richard-harris-award-1235053780/ |access-date=29 November 2021 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=29 November 2021 |archive-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129103106/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/riz-ahmed-bifa-richard-harris-award-1235053780/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
''The Long Goodbye'' also was adapted into a short film, directed by Aneil Karia. It won Best Live Action Short Film at the 94th Academy Awards. Ahmed voiced Ballister Boldheart in ''Nimona'', which released on 30 June 2023 on Netflix.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lang |first1=Jamie |title='Nimona' Lands at Netflix, Annapurna Producing, DNEG Animating |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/nimona-netflix-annapurna-dneg-blue-sky-214964.html |website=Cartoon Brew |access-date=11 April 2022 |date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411141801/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/nimona-netflix-annapurna-dneg-blue-sky-214964.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He also starred in ''Fingernails'', which was released on 27 October 2023 by Apple Original Films.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |title=Jessie Buckley & Riz Ahmed To Star In Christos Nikou's Sci-Fi Romance ''Fingernails'', FilmNation & Cate Blanchett's Dirty Films Producing — Cannes Market Hot Pic |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/riz-ahmed-jessie-buckley-sci-fi-romance-fingernails-cate-blanchett-filmnation-cannes-1235020692/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=9 December 2022 |date=May 10, 2022}}</ref> He has an upcoming role in the independent film ''Relay''. In November 2023 Riz Ahmed and his company Left Handed Films joined the 2023 SXSW audience award winner ''Mustache''. In August 2025, it was announced that Ahmed would be voicing Professor Snape in ''Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions'', a production of Audible and J.K. Rowling's Pottermore.<ref>{{cite web | title=Audible's 'Harry Potter' Series Unveils Premiere Dates and Cast: Hugh Laurie as Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Voldemort, Riz Ahmed as Snape and More | date=5 August 2025 | url=https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/audible-harry-potter-cast-hugh-laurie-matthew-macfadyen-riz-ahmed-1236477343/ }}</ref>
In 2026, Ahmed starred in Bait a limited television series in which he is also the writer and executive producer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Ellen E. |date=2026-03-25 |title=Bait review – Riz Ahmed's comedy is petty, narcissistic … and excellent |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/mar/25/bait-review-riz-ahmed-bond-comedy-prime-video |access-date=2026-03-30 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He plays Shah Latif, an actor from Pakistani Muslim set to play a non-white James Bond.
==Music career== {{see also|Sweet Shop Boys}}
thumb|right|upright|Ahmed performing at Occupy London NYE Party 2011. Inspired by jungle and hip-hop, his music career began in his mid-teens, appearing on pirate radio and in freestyle rap battles.<ref name="apple">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/riz-mc/171767086|title=Riz MC on Apple Music|website=iTunes|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923115910/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/riz-mc/id171767086|url-status=live}}</ref> While at university, Ahmed co-founded the Hit & Run night in Oxford, which has since moved to Manchester and gone on to become one of Manchester's leading underground music events.<ref name=":1" /> At Oxford, he was also part of a 12-person jazz-house/electronica band called Confidential Collective.<ref name="apple"/> After graduating, he competed in and won many rap battle competitions.<ref name="apple"/> He competed as Riz MC on JumpOff TV's "Spin the Mic" freestyle rap battle contest in 2006. He beat contestants Stig and Skilla Mic,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jumpoff.tv/tags/view/riz-ahmed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106014939/http://jumpoff.tv/tags/view/riz-ahmed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 January 2013|title=JumpOff.TV|website=jumpoff.tv}}</ref> before a controversial loss to contest winner Whatshisface; according to JumpOff TV, Riz was at a disadvantage due to racial double standards from the crowd.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jumpoff.tv/posts/view/stm06-riz-vs-whashisface/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106094652/http://jumpoff.tv/posts/view/stm06-riz-vs-whashisface/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 January 2013|title=STM06 - Riz vs Whashisface|website=Jumpoff.tv}}</ref>
In 2006, Ahmed recorded a satirical social-commentary rap track entitled "Post 9/11 Blues", which he wrote after being detained in Luton.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/four-lions-making-of-oral-history-trivia/ | title='I Was Told It Was Career Suicide' – the Oral History of 'Four Lions' | date=30 July 2020 }}</ref> It was leaked by friends and first gained popularity through the internet.<ref name="apple"/> The song was initially banned from British airplay because the lyrics were deemed "politically sensitive", including satirical references to 9/11, terrorism, the post-9/11 climate, Iraq War, death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the MI6, and Belmarsh prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/apr/09/radio.arts|title=Rapper asks BBC to play 9/11 song|work=The Guardian|first=Alice|last=O'Keefe|date=9 April 2006|access-date=14 October 2016|archive-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925000440/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/apr/09/radio.arts|url-status=live}}</ref> The resulting press coverage, however, prompted some independent radio stations to play the track. He soon founded his own independent record label, Battered Records, officially releasing "Post 9/11 Blues" for the CD and MP3 formats in August 2006. He went on to win Best MC at the 2006 Asian Music Awards. He released his second single in 2007, the garage rap song "People Like People".<ref name="apple"/> He was selected as a BBC Introducing artist in 2007, playing the Glastonbury Festival and the BBC Electric Proms. He opened the Meltdown Festival with Bristol-based trip-hop group Massive Attack at the Royal Festival Hall in 2008, and was appointed 'Emerging Artist in Residence' at the Southbank Centre in London. He played at the London Camp for Climate Action in August 2009.<ref name=":0" />
In 2011, he released his debut album, ''Microscope'',<ref name="apple2011"/> which was re-released with additional remixes in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/microscope/riz-mc|title=Microscope by Riz MC|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=16 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316093634/http://www.metacritic.com/music/microscope/riz-mc|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 December 2011, it was announced that Riz MC had signed to Tru Thoughts, an independent label in Brighton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tru-thoughts.co.uk/news/riz-mc-signs-to-tru-thoughts |title=Quantic presents The Western Transient A New Constellation | News |publisher=Tru Thoughts |date=10 July 2015 |access-date=17 July 2015 |archive-date=20 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720223826/http://www.tru-thoughts.co.uk/news/riz-mc-signs-to-tru-thoughts |url-status=dead }}</ref> From ''Microscope'', he released "Sour Times" which was accompanied by a video featuring Scroobius Pip, Plan B, Tom Hardy,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfXvKKflBoM| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/EfXvKKflBoM| archive-date=30 October 2021|website=YouTube|access-date= 21 April 2017|title= Riz MC - Sour Times| date=7 July 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and Jim Sturgess.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8301537/Riz-Ahmed-Extraordinary-double-life-of-a-bright-British-talent.html|title=Riz Ahmed: Extraordinary double life of a bright British talent|last=Green|first=Thomas H|date=3 February 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=22 January 2021|language=en|url-access=limited|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128082259/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8301537/Riz-Ahmed-Extraordinary-double-life-of-a-bright-British-talent.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Formed in 2014, Ahmed is half of the hip-hop duo Swet Shop Boys along with Heems.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/09/07/night-of-riz-ahmed-heems-zayn-malik-song/|title=The Night of star Riz Ahmed drops a new song with Heems, Zayn Malik|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Christian|last=Holub|date=7 September 2016|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118080911/http://ew.com/article/2016/09/07/night-of-riz-ahmed-heems-zayn-malik-song/|url-status=live}}</ref> Their debut release, ''Swet Shop'' EP, was released in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/swet-shop-boys/|title=Swet Shop Boys (Heems + Riz MC) released an EP, playing Baby's w/ Wiki; Ratking playing Brooklyn Night Bazaar|website=BrooklynVegan|first=Andrew|last=Sacher|date=5 December 2014|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=3 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503121911/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/swet-shop-boys/|url-status=live}}</ref> The group's debut full-length effort, ''Cashmere'', was released on 14 October 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/10/riz-ahmed-heems-swet-shop-boys-cashmere-listen-1201734922/|title='The Night Of' Star Riz Ahmed Releases New Album 'Cashmere' With Heems – Listen|website=IndieWire|first=Michael|last=Nordine|date=9 October 2016|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113153650/http://www.indiewire.com/2016/10/riz-ahmed-heems-swet-shop-boys-cashmere-listen-1201734922/|url-status=live}}</ref> and received critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/cashmere/swet-shop-boys|title=Cashmere by Swet Shop Boys|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=18 November 2016|archive-date=21 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121060945/http://www.metacritic.com/music/cashmere/swet-shop-boys|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, he also released a mixtape, ''Englistan''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/12/riz-ahmed-rogue-one|title='Rogue One' Is the Cherry on Top of a Wild Year for Riz Ahmed|website=Complex|first=Chris|last=Lee|date=13 December 2016|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116175216/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/12/riz-ahmed-rogue-one|url-status=live}}</ref> He was featured on the song "Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)" in ''The Hamilton Mixtape'', which topped the ''Billboard'' 200 chart. This put him in the unique position of sitting at number-one on both the Billboard 200 album chart and the movie box office chart (with ''Rogue One'') at the same time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/12/19/rogue-one-star-riz-ahmed-shares-childhood-star-wars-drawings/|title=Rogue One star Riz Ahmed shares childhood Star Wars drawings: 'Keep your inner child alive'|work=telegraph.co.uk|date=19 December 2016|access-date=22 December 2016|last1=White|first1=Adam|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221214501/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/12/19/rogue-one-star-riz-ahmed-shares-childhood-star-wars-drawings/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), "Immigrants" won the award for Best Fight Against the System,<ref name="vmas">{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Eric Renner|date=27 August 2017|title=MTV VMAs 2017: Complete Winners List|url=https://people.com/music/mtv-vmas-complete-winners-list|access-date=20 April 2021|website=People|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422204629/https://people.com/music/mtv-vmas-complete-winners-list/|url-status=live}}</ref> giving him the rare distinction of winning both the Emmy and VMA awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldderby.com/article/2017/riz-ahmed-immigrants-we-get-the-job-done-hamilton-mtv-vmas-emmys-news-486257913/|title=Riz Ahmed may 'Get the Job Done' at both the Emmys and MTV Video Music Awards this year [WATCH]|first=Daniel|last=Montgomery|date=4 August 2017|website=Goldderby.com|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915071136/http://www.goldderby.com/article/2017/riz-ahmed-immigrants-we-get-the-job-done-hamilton-mtv-vmas-emmys-news-486257913/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==The Riz Test== In 2018, Sadia Habib and Shaf Choudry, two researchers in the UK, were inspired by Ahmed to determine a method to quantify the nature of Muslim representation in film and TV.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/arts/television/ramy-youssef-hulu.html|title='Ramy' Is a Quietly Revolutionary Comedy|last=Deb|first=Sopan|date=18 April 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=29 April 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=24 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424151652/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/arts/television/ramy-youssef-hulu.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ultimately they came up with a test they named "The Riz Test", which has been compared to the Bechdel test.<ref name="tribuneriztest">{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1811088/4-riz-test-launched-evaluate-muslim-representation-films-tv/|title='Riz Test' launched to evaluate Muslim representation in films and TV|date=25 September 2018|website=The Express Tribune|language=en-US|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=22 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222052039/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1811088/4-riz-test-launched-evaluate-muslim-representation-films-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> The test came about following a speech given by Ahmed in 2017 at the House of Commons, in which he addressed what he views as a lack of diversity in film and television.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/riz-ahmed-warns-parliament-that-lack-of-diversity-in-tv-leads-people-to-isis-a7610861.html|title=Riz Ahmed has warned that a lack of diversity in TV is leading people to Isis|date=4 March 2017|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=22 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152037/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/riz-ahmed-warns-parliament-that-lack-of-diversity-in-tv-leads-people-to-isis-a7610861.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ahmed has spoken about the lack of accurate representation of Muslims in the arts, and often expresses these views on social media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mangobaaz.com/riz-ahmed-test-islamaphobia|title=There's A New Test Named After Riz Ahmed That Might Help To Fight Islamophobia|last=Athar|first=Arslan|date=24 September 2018|website=MangoBaaz|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224745/https://www.mangobaaz.com/riz-ahmed-test-islamaphobia|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Riz Test has five parts which, according to the creators, serve to highlight and combat the stereotypes of Muslims found in characters in films and on TV:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://religionnews.com/2019/01/28/the-riz-test-how-muslims-are-misrepresented-in-film-and-tv/|title=The Riz Test: How Muslims are misrepresented in film and TV|date=28 January 2019|website=Religion News Service|language=en-US|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=22 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222041945/https://religionnews.com/2019/01/28/the-riz-test-how-muslims-are-misrepresented-in-film-and-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/finally-theres-a-bechdel-test-for-muslim-representation/|title=Finally, There's a Bechdel Test for Muslim Representation|last1=Yusuf|first1=Abeer|last2=Berman|first2=Sarah|date=24 August 2018|website=Vice|language=en-CA|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224144/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/43peap/finally-theres-a-bechdel-test-for-muslim-representation|url-status=live}}</ref>
# If a character is identifiably Muslim, is the character talking about, the victim of, or the perpetrator of terrorism? # Presented as irrationally angry? # Presented as superstitious, culturally backward or anti-modern? # Presented as a threat to a Western way of life? # If the character is male, is he presented as misogynistic? or if female, is she presented as oppressed by her male counterparts?<ref name=":3" />
One of the tests' creators, Shaf Choudry, describes the test as not being "a scientific measure of Islamophobia, it’s more to prop conversation."<ref name=":3" />
Ahmed acknowledged the test in 2018, expressing his surprise at the test being named after him and writing on Twitter that he was "glad to see this" and that he thought it was "much needed."<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aplus.com/film-forward/the-riz-test-muslim-representation-film|title=Riz Ahmed Inspired A Grading System That Shows How Often Muslims Are Misrepresented in Film|last=Moustakas|first=Tiffany|date=27 August 2018|website=A Plus|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224126/https://aplus.com/film-forward/the-riz-test-muslim-representation-film|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Activism== As a practicing Muslim, Ahmed has spoken candidly about negative stereotyping of Muslims, both in a personal and societal context.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ahmed|first1=Riz|title=Typecast as a terrorist|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/15/riz-ahmed-typecast-as-a-terrorist|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 June 2017|date=15 September 2016|archive-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708054739/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/15/riz-ahmed-typecast-as-a-terrorist|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Trendell|first1=Andrew|title=Riz Ahmed hits out at portrayal of Muslims and acts of terror in the media|url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/riz-ahmed-hits-portrayal-mudslum-acts-terror-media-2090218|website=NME|access-date=28 June 2017|date=19 June 2017|archive-date=3 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503121915/https://www.nme.com/news/music/riz-ahmed-hits-portrayal-muslims-acts-terror-media-2090218|url-status=live}}</ref>
As an activist, he has been involved in raising funds for Syrian refugee children and advocating representation at the House of Commons.<ref name="time">{{Cite magazine |title=Riz Ahmed: The World's 100 Most Influential People |url=https://time.com/collection/2017-time-100/4742708/riz-ahmed/ |access-date=16 July 2017 |magazine=Time}}</ref> He has also been involved in raising awareness of the displacement of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, after Rohingya genocide,<ref name="investigators_call_2018_08_27_cbs_news">{{Cite web |title=Investigators call for genocide prosecutions over slaughter of Rohingyas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rohingya-crisis-myanmar-genocide-military-commanders-un-human-rights-mission/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829073709/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rohingya-crisis-myanmar-genocide-military-commanders-un-human-rights-mission/ |archive-date=29 August 2018 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=CBS News |date=27 August 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> and raising funds for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.<ref name="rohingya">{{cite web|title=DEC Emergency Appeal for People Fleeing Myanmar - Riz Ahmed ITV|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_-y6_QXtW0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/k_-y6_QXtW0| archive-date=30 October 2021|website=YouTube|publisher=Disasters Emergency Committee|date=4 October 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In 2013, Ahmed provided journalist Hardeep Singh Kohli with a formal apology for a tweet he had published in which he called Singh a "bigot" and falsely accused him of attempted assault. Ahmed also agreed to pay him substantial damages for libel and his legal costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/freelance-journalist-wins-libel-payout-reluctant-fundamentalist-actor-riz-ahmed-over-bigot-tweet/|title=Freelance journalist wins libel payout from Reluctant Fundamentalist actor Riz Ahmed over 'bigot' tweet|first=Dominic|last=Ponsford|date=24 May 2013|website=Press Gazette|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120203531/https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/freelance-journalist-wins-libel-payout-reluctant-fundamentalist-actor-riz-ahmed-over-bigot-tweet/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/05/27/another-twitter-libel-warning-actor-riz-ahmed-and-journalist-hardeep-singh-reach|title=Another Twitter libel warning as actor Riz Ahmed and journalist Hardeep Singh reach 'substantial' damages agreement|last=Haggerty|first=Angela|date=27 May 2013|website=The Drum|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125052853/https://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/05/27/another-twitter-libel-warning-actor-riz-ahmed-and-journalist-hardeep-singh-reach|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2016, he contributed an essay for ''The Good Immigrant'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |date=28 January 2021 |title=Losing Control With Riz Ahmed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/movies/riz-ahmed-sound-of-metal.html |access-date=7 February 2021 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208052833/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/movies/riz-ahmed-sound-of-metal.html |url-status=live }}</ref> on racial profiling at airports, auditions, and the implicit need to leave himself at a door to be waved through.
During the Gaza war, Ahmed called for Israel to stop its "indiscriminate bombing of Gaza’s civilians and vital infrastructure, the denial of food, water and electricity, the forced displacement of people from their homes", which he called "morally indefensible war crimes".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Meredith |title=Gigi Hadid shares support for Palestine, Israel accuses her of 'turning a blind eye' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gigi-hadid-palestine-israel-post-b2431315.html |website=The Independent |access-date=28 April 2024 |language=en |date=18 October 2023}}</ref> In 2023, he signed the Artists4Ceasefire letter addressed to then U.S. President Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.artists4ceasefire.org/|title=Artists Call for Ceasefire Now|work=Artists4Ceasefire|accessdate=11 March 2024}}</ref> Ahmed later signed Artists for Palestine UK letters calling upon Keir Starmer to commit to halting arms sales to Israel ahead of the 2024 general election<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://artistsforpalestine.org.uk/2024/06/02/leading-artists-to-keir-starmer-commit-to-stopping-arms-sales-to-israel/|title=Leading Artists to Keir Starmer: Commit to Stopping Arms Sales to Israel|work=Artists for Palestine UK|date=2 June 2024|accessdate=1 May 2025}}</ref> and to the BBC condemning "censorship of Palestine" after the documentary ''Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone'' (2025) was pulled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/gary-lineker-bbc-censorship-palestine-gaza-documentary-1236301811/|title=Gary Lineker, Riz Ahmed, Ken Loach, Indira Varma Join Hundreds In Signing Open Letter Condemning BBC "Censorship On Palestine" As Gaza Documentary Row Deepens|work=Deadline|first=Max|last=Goldbart|date=26 February 2025|accessdate=1 March 2025}}</ref> He is a signatory of the Film Workers for Palestine boycott pledge that was published in September 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Betts |first=Anna |date=2025-09-10 |title=Actors and directors pledge not to work with Israeli film groups 'implicated in genocide' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/08/film-pledge-israeli-institutions-palestinians |access-date=2025-09-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
Riz Ahmed’s work as an actor and musician is closely intertwined with his political activism, particularly around issues of racial justice, immigration, Islamophobia, and representation of marginalised communities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monti |first=Stefano |date=2020-02-27 |title=The talent and the political activism of Riz Ahmed |url=https://www.nssmag.com/en/pills/21263/riz-ahmed-actor-rapper |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=nss magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life== Ahmed has been married to American novelist Fatima Farheen Mirza since 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Preskey |first=Natasha |date=14 January 2021 |title=Riz Ahmed reveals he married author Fatima Farheen Mirza after meeting in cafe |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/riz-ahmed-wife-married-author-b1787125.html |work=The Independent |access-date=15 January 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114094544/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/riz-ahmed-wife-married-author-b1787125.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Roach |first=April |date=14 January 2021 |title=Riz Ahmed reveals he married novelist Fatima Farheen Mirza |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/riz-ahmed-marry-fatima-farheen-mirza-b891285.html |work=London Evening Standard |access-date=15 January 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114082731/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/riz-ahmed-marry-fatima-farheen-mirza-b891285.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2025, Ahmed revealed that Mirza gave birth to their first child.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Riz Ahmed and His Wife Were Robbed of 'Really Precious Items' Just After They Welcomed Their Baby |url=https://people.com/riz-ahmed-and-wife-robbed-after-baby-11795343 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+Key | style="background:#ffc;"|{{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}} | Denotes medium that has not yet been released |}
===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes !Ref. |- | 2006 | ''The Road to Guantánamo'' | Shafiq | | |- | rowspan=2|2008 | ''Shifty'' | Shifty | | |- | ''Baghdad Express'' | Talal | Short film | |- | 2009 | ''Rage'' | Vijay | | |- | rowspan=2|2010 | ''Four Lions'' | Omar | | |- | ''Centurion'' | Tarak | | |- | rowspan=2|2011 | ''Black Gold'' | Ali | | |- | ''Trishna'' | Jay | | |- | rowspan=2|2012 | ''Ill Manors'' | Aaron | | |- | ''The Reluctant Fundamentalist'' | Changez Khan | | |- | rowspan=2|2013 | ''Closed Circuit'' | Nazrul Sharma | | |- | ''Out of Darkness'' | Male | Short film | |- | rowspan=2|2014 | ''Daytimer'' | {{N/A}} | Director, writer; Short film | |- | ''Nightcrawler'' | Rick | | |- | rowspan=4|2016 | ''Jason Bourne'' | Aaron Kalloor | | |- | ''Una'' | Scott | | |- | ''City of Tiny Lights'' | Tommy Akhtar | | |- | ''Rogue One'' | Bodhi Rook | | |- | rowspan=2| 2018 | ''The Sisters Brothers'' | Hermann Kermit Warm | | |- | ''Venom'' | Carlton Drake and Riot (voice) | | |- | rowspan=2| 2019 | ''Sound of Metal'' | Ruben Stone | Also executive producer | |- | ''Weathering with You'' | Takai (voice) | English dub | |- | rowspan=2|2020 | ''Mogul Mowgli'' | Zed | Also co-writer and producer | |- | ''The Long Goodbye'' | Riz | Short film; also co-writer | |- | rowspan=2|2021 | ''Flee'' | Amin Nawabi (voice) | Also executive producer | |- | ''Encounter'' | Malik Khan | | |- | 2022 | ''Moshari'' | {{N/A}} |Executive producer; Short film | |- | rowspan=2|2023 | ''Nimona'' | Ballister Boldheart (voice) | | |- | ''Fingernails'' | Amir | | |- | 2024 | ''Relay'' | Ash | | |- |rowspan=2|2025 | ''The Phoenician Scheme'' | Prince Farouk | | |- | ''Hamlet'' | Prince Hamlet | Also producer | |- | 2026 | style="background:#ffc;"|''Digger'' | | Post-production | |- | 2027 |style="background:#ffc;"| ''The Big Fix'' | | Filming | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! Ref. |- | rowspan="2" | 2006 | ''The Path to 9/11'' | Yosri | 2 episodes | |- | ''Berry's Way'' | Amir | Television film | |- | 2007 | ''Britz'' | Sohail Wahid | 2 episodes | |- | rowspan="3" | 2008 | ''Wired'' | Manesh Kunzru | 3 episodes | |- | ''Staffroom Monologues'' | Primary Teacher | "How Are You?" Episode for Teachers TV | |- | ''Dead Set'' | Riq | 5 episodes | |- | 2009 | ''Freefall'' | Gary | Television film | |- | 2011 | ''The Fades'' | Neil | Episode: "Episode 1" - Unaired Pilot | |- | 2016 | ''The Night Of'' | Nasir Khan | Miniseries; 8 episodes | |- | 2016–2019 | ''The OA'' | Elias Rahim | 5 episodes | |- | 2017 | ''Girls'' | Paul-Louis | 2 episodes | |- | rowspan="2" | 2026 |''Bait'' | Shah Latif | Also writer and executive producer.<ref>{{cite web|website=Screen Daily|access-date=18 September 2024|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/2024-film-and-high-end-tv-productions-shooting-in-the-uk-and-ireland-latest-updates/5189068.article|title=2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland|first=Ellie|last=Calnan|date=18 September 2024}}</ref> | |- |''Saturday Night Live UK'' | Himself (host) | Episode: "Riz Ahmed/Kasabian"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=Saturday Night Live UK: Series 1, Episode 3 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/saturday-night-live/episodes/1/3/ |access-date=2026-04-13 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}</ref> |}
===Audiobooks=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Production company !Ref. |- | rowspan="2" | 2020 | ''The Sandman'' | The Corinthian | rowspan="3" | Audible | |- | ''Assassin's Creed: Gold'' | Omar Khaled | |- |2025–2026 |''Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions'' |Professor Severus Snape | |}
==Discography== {{See also|Swet Shop Boys#Discography|l1=Swet Shop Boys discography}}
===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:11em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Album details |- ! scope="row" |''Microscope''<br />{{small|(as Riz MC)}} | * Released: 31 January 2011<ref name="apple2011">{{cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/microscope/id410820142|title=MICroscope by Riz MC|website=iTunes|access-date=12 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701215319/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/microscope/id410820142|archive-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> * Label: Confirm/Ignore<ref name="apple2011"/> * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row" |''The Long Goodbye'' | * Released: 6 March 2020<ref name="TLGP">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/riz-ahmed-announces-new-album-the-long-goodbye/|title=Riz Ahmed Announces New Album ''The Long Goodbye''|website=Pitchfork|last=Ruiz|first=Matthew Ismael|date=27 February 2020|access-date=27 February 2020|archive-date=27 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227124920/https://pitchfork.com/news/riz-ahmed-announces-new-album-the-long-goodbye/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Label: Mongrel * Formats: Digital download, streaming |}
===Mixtapes=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of mixtapes, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:11em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Album details |- ! scope="row" |''Englistan'' | * Released: 26 May 2016 * Label: Riz MC * Formats: Digital download |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:10px;"| Year ! scope="col"| Album |- ! scope="row"| "The Post 9/11 Blues" | 2006 | rowspan="2"| Non-album single |- ! scope="row"| "People Like People" | 2007 |- ! scope="row"| "Radar" | 2008 | ''Microscope'' |- ! scope="row"| "Shifty" <small>(with Sway & Plan B)</small> | rowspan="2"| 2009 | ''Shifty'' |- ! scope="row"| "Don't Sleep" | rowspan="3"| Non-album single |- ! scope="row"| "Hundreds and Thousands" | rowspan="2"| 2010 |- ! scope="row"| "Get on It" |- ! scope="row"| "All of You" | 2011 | ''Microscope'' |- ! scope="row"| "Mogambo"<ref name="TLGP"/> | 2018 | ''The Long Goodbye'' |- ! scope="row"| "Once Kings"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/once-kings-single/1532397080|title=Once Kings - Single by Riz Ahmed on Apple Music|date=30 October 2020|publisher=Apple Music|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317040526/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/once-kings-single/1532397080|url-status=live}}</ref> | 2020 | {{non-album single}} |}
===Appearances=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:10px;"| Year ! scope="col"| Album |- !scope="row"| "Flush" | 2010 |''Beautiful Losers'' |- !scope="row"| "Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)" | 2016 |''The Hamilton Mixtape'' |- !scope="row"| "Stand Up" | rowspan="2"| 2019 | rowspan="2"|''Ninja TED: A benefit for the Vancouver Food Bank'' |- !scope="row"| "Let the Sunshine In" <small>(with Full Ninja TED cast)</small> |- !scope="row"| "Promises" | 2022 |''Give Me the Future'' |}
==Accolades== {{main|List of awards and nominations received by Riz Ahmed}}
==See also== * List of British Pakistanis * List of Academy Award winners and nominees from Great Britain * List of Pakistani Academy Award winners and nominees * List of actors with Academy Award nominations * List of actors nominated for Academy Awards for non-English performances * List of Primetime Emmy Award winners
==Footnotes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{IMDb name|id=1981893|name=Riz Ahmed}} * {{Discogs artist|Riz MC|Riz MC}}
{{Navboxes |title = Awards for Riz Ahmed |list = {{Desert Palm Achievement Award}} {{EmmyAward MiniseriesLeadActor}} {{Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actor}} {{Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}} {{Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead}} {{London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actor of the Year}} {{MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message}} {{National Board of Review Award for Best Actor}} {{The Richard Harris Award}} {{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}} {{Satellite Award Best Actor Motion Picture}} {{Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}} {{TFCA Award for Best Actor}} }}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahmed, Riz}} Category:1982 births Category:21st-century English male actors Category:Actors from the London Borough of Brent Category:Alumni of Christ Church, Oxford Category:Alumni of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Category:Audiobook narrators Category:British actors of Pakistani descent Category:British rappers of Pakistani descent Category:Directors of Live Action Short Film Academy Award winners Category:English Muslims Category:English male film actors Category:21st-century British male rappers Category:21st-century British rappers Category:English male television actors Category:English male voice actors Category:English people of Pakistani descent Category:Best Male Lead Independent Spirit Award winners Category:Living people Category:Male actors from London Category:Muhajir people Category:Musicians from the London Borough of Brent Category:People from Wembley Category:Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners Category:People educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood Category:Rappers from the London Borough of Brent