Age: 45
male
Akhtar is known for the bumbling Muslim extremist Faisal in Chris Morris's film Four Lions. Other comedic performances include Gupta in The Angelos Epithemiou Show, Maroush in The Dictator and Smee in Joe Wright and Pan. Akhtar has also won acclaim for his dramatic performances: in 2015, he was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for his 2014 role as Wilson Wilson on Channel 4's Utopia. He played shopkeeper Ahmed alongside Toby Jones in the BBC mini-series Capital, and DS Ira King in the BBC's River. Reviewing River in The Daily Telegraph, Michael Hogan wrote, "This series was beautifully written by Abi Morgan, stylishly directed, and most of all, superbly acted. The quieter, less showy supporting players also shone. Not just stalwarts [...] but fresher faces: Adeel Akhtar as River's endlessly patient sidekick and Georgina Rich as his psychiatrist". In 2016 Akhtar appeared as Shahzad in the BBC one-off drama Murdered by My Father. He won the 2017 BAFTA award for Lead Actor for this role, the first non-white actor to do so. He also appeared as Rob Singhal in the acclaimed BBC miniseries based on John le Carré's The Night Manager. Adeel became a patron of Half Moon Theatre in autumn 2016.
"To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" is a gripping science fiction epic that follows Kira Navárez, a xenobiologist whose routine mission on a distant planet turns into a struggle for survival and understanding. When Kira discovers an alien relic on the planet's surface, she unwittingly triggers a chain of events that catapults her into a universe-altering conflict. As she grapples with the consequences of her discovery, Kira must navigate treacherous alliances and confront the dark truths lurking within herself. With humanity's fate hanging in the balance, Kira embarks on a thrilling journey across the stars, where she must confront not only the dangers of the unknown but also the depths of her own courage and resilience. Written by bestselling author Christopher Paolini, "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" seamlessly blends heart-pounding action with thought-provoking philosophical questions about humanity's place in the cosmos. With its richly imagined universe and unforgettable characters, this sweeping tale explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity. As Kira's odyssey unfolds, readers will be captivated by the wonders of space exploration and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit, making this novel a must-read for fans of science fiction and adventure alike.
