What We Do in the Shadows: What is the ethnicity of the actor who plays Nandor?

Modified Dec 19, 2024 02:25 GMT

Kayvan Novak as Nandor the Relentless in a still from What We Do in the Shadows (via FX Networks / YouTube)

Season 6 of What We Do in the Shadows has been streaming on FX since October 2024, with the latest episode airing on December 16, 2024. The series centers on Nandor the Relentless, a 762-year-old Persian vampire played by British actor Kayvan Novak, who is of Iranian descent.

Novak spent his childhood in London, where he was born to Iranian parents. He completed his primary education at the private institution Highgate School. Novak then went on to attend the Fine Arts College in Hampstead and then moved to the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art to study acting.

Who is Kayvan Novak? Actor's profile and filmography explored

Kayvan Novak as Nandor the Relentless in a still from the official trailer for What We Do in the Shadows season six (via FX Networks / YouTube)

Kayvan Novak has worked on multiple comedy and drama shows in his career. He debuted in the industry with various British shows, including Family Affairs, Holby City, and Spooks. Some of his most popular films and television roles include:

2003: Trial & Retribution as Craig Board
2004: Holby City as Reza Abbassi
2005: Syriana as Arash
2007–2008: Fonejacker as The Fonejacker
2010: Four Lions as Waj
2010–2012: Facejacker as Terry Tibbs
2011: Sirens as Rachid Mansaur
2012: Full English as Dusty Johnson
2014: Cuban Fury as Bejan
2014: The Last Sparks of Sundown as Seven
2014: Paddington as Grant the Animal Supplier
2015–2020: Thunderbirds Are Go as Brains
2015–2019: Danger Mouse as Dr. Loo-cifer
2016: Prevenge as Tom
2018: Early Man as Dino
2019: The Day Shall Come as Reza
2019: A Christmas Carol as Ali Baba
2020–2023: Archer as Rex
2021: Cruella as Roger Dearly

In 2008, the actor won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy (Programme or Series). He was awarded for his comedy series Fonejacker (2006–2008), that he co-created and starred in.

Also read: Where is the theme song from What We Do in the Shadows? Explained

About Kayvan Novak's role on What We Do in the Shadows

Actor Kayvan Novak plays the role of Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows. The character is a fierce Persian warrior, who was part of the Ottoman armies. After becoming a vampire, he became the de facto head of the vampire household featured in the series. Despite the character's reputation as an aggressive conqueror, he has a soft side too.

Nandor shares a home on Staten Island with fellow vampires Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin Robinson. Nandor also has his own familiar Guillermo who manages the daily tasks on the estate.

Also read: What We Do in the Shadows season 6 finale ending explained: Does Guillermo leave the vampires in the end?

Audiences can watch What We Do in the Shadows streaming now on FX.

Check out Apple TV+'s cutest new show HERE

Edited by Divya Singh