Who Do You Think You Are? - Adeel Akhtar - 9:00 pm Thursday, July 23 on BBC One London

About this Broadcast

Adeel Akhtar
Season 23, Episode 6

Award-winning actor Adeel Akhtar traces his maternal Indian Kenyan ancestry from Gujarat to Mombasa and Nairobi. He uncovers his family's pioneering role in Kenya, their fight against colonial discrimination, Ismaili heritage, and a surprising ancestor, deepening his connection to both his Indian and African roots

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Education/Science/Factual Topics Family And Friends History

Did You Know..

Adeel Akhtar (Presenter)

Born: September 18, 1980 in London

Best Known For: Four Lions and Utopia.

Early-life: Adeel was born in London on September 18, 1980. He obtained a law degree but decided that he wanted to pursue a career in acting instead. He trained at the Actors Studio Drama School in New York. In 2006, he made his TV debut in an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. His first break came in 2010 when he had a leading role in Chris Morris's comedy film Four Lions (2010).

Career: Akhtar went on to star in the sketch show The Angelos Epithemiou Show and alongside Sacha Baron Cohen in The Dictator (2012). His other TV credits include The Job Lot, Trollied, Utopia and River. On the big screen, he has also appeared in War Book (2014) and Pan (2015).

Quote: 'I went to drama school, came out the other end, was out of work for a bit, then found some work.'

Trivia: In 2015, Akhtar received a Bafta nomination for his role in Utopia.

Angela Griffin (Narrator)

Born: July 19, 1976 in Leeds

Best Known For: Coronation Street and Cutting It.

Early-life: Angela Mellissa Griffin was born in Leeds on July 19, 1976. She was brought up by her mum and stepfather on a council estate after her bus conductor father left home when the actress was four. She has two brothers. Angela began acting in youth groups while in her teens, where she was spotted by a talent scout. She had early roles in children's series Under the Bedclothes and Just Us. She was academic at school and had been expected to continue with her education, but after gaining nine GCSEs, decided to concentrate on acting.

Career: Following a brief appearance in Emmerdale as a holiday village guest, Griffin landed the role of hairdresser Fiona Middleton in Coronation Street in 1992. She stayed with the soap for six years. She went on to join the cast of Holby City, which she quit after three years. Other acclaimed roles have come in BBC drama Babyfather, Cutting It and Down to Earth. She has also made a guest appearance in gritty crime drama Waking The Dead and presented The Ethnic Multicultural Media Awards. Other work includes two stints in Waterloo Road, her own chat show and Sky's Mount Pleasant. She joined the cast of Lewis in 2014. She has also set up her own production company.

Quote: 'I have still got so much to learn. I want to do new plays, where I get to cry a lot or shout a lot or be insane.'

Trivia: Griffin voices Amy the vet in children's TV show Postman Pat.

Lucy Swingler (Series producer)

Colette Flight (Executive producer)

Ali Naushahi (Director)

Phoebe Mills (Producer)