Mawaan Rizwan (born 18 August 1992) is a Pakistani-born British actor and comedian who began his career as a YouTuber.[1] He created and starred in the BBC Three comedy Juice (2023). He won a British Academy Television Award for his performance, in addition to receiving writing nominations.
Mawaan Rizwan | |
|---|---|
 Rizwan at a screening of Juice in 2023 | |
| Born | 18 August 1992 |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Relatives | Nabhaan Rizwan (brother) |
| Website | mawaan |
Early life
editRizwan was born in Lahore, Pakistan; his mother, Shahnaz, was one of nine siblings and had starred in a number of black and white Pakistani films. As his mother desired a better life for Mawaan and his sister, they immigrated to London in 1994. Six years later, at the age of eight, Rizwan and his family were threatened with deportation, but were granted indefinite leave to remain after legal battles and protests for the family's immigration rights.[2][3]
Career
editRizwan started making YouTube videos at the age of 16. The attention he received for these resulted in him gaining roles on various television and streaming programming.[2] In 2013 he began starring in the BAFTA award nominated series DNN: Definitely Not Newsround, a spoof news comedy series for children.[4][5] In 2015 he starred in Disney XD UK series Mega Awesome Super Hacks alongside Oli White and Jimmy Hill.[6]
In 2015, Rizwan travelled to Pakistan, his country of birth, to film the documentary How Gay Is Pakistan? which explores the issues faced by other LGBTQ Muslims living under Islamic law that deems homosexuality illegal.[7] The documentary was televised internationally, including on ABC2 in Australia, CBC in Canada and in various markets via Amazon Prime Video.[8][9][10]
Rizwan's career in stand-up comedy began in 2010 when he performed his first gig at a basement venue in Leicester Square. He trained at the prestigious École Philippe Gaulier, physicality and silliness being key components of his comedic craft. [11] He performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with his 2018 and 2019 performances gaining positive reviews from critics. In 2018, Rizwan participated in a charity benefit event called Choose Laughs? at the Playhouse Theatre to support the NGO Help Refugees.[12][13][14]
In April 2019, Rizwan released his first two singles – "I've Got a New Walk" and "Mango" – with a third single, "Never Been Skiing", released in September.[15]
In 2020, Rizwan starred in the Sky One comedy series Two Weeks to Live.[16] Forbes named Rizwan one of their '30 under 30' movers for their 2020 list, after recognition for being a writer on Netflix series Sex Education as well as his role in BBC Three drama Murdered by My Father and opening for Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness on tour.[17]
In September 2020 he appeared in Jonathan Ross's Comedy Club as co-host. Also in 2020, he appeared in the 10th series of Taskmaster, finishing 3rd.[18]
In September 2023, Juice was released – a BBC Three surreal comedy series which Rizwan starred in, wrote, and co-produced. The series is based upon Rizwan's 2018 Edinburgh Fringe show of the same name.[19][20] Rizwan's mother and brother also appeared in Juice as the family of Rizwan's character, Jamma.[21] On its release The Guardian commented that "His [Mawaan's] childlike way of exploring life's complexities has won him legions of fans".[11]
In March 2024, Rizwan appeared on Comic Relief on BBC Two for a special performance of his music.[22]
Personal life
editRizwan is gay, having come out to his traditional Muslim parents at the age of 24.[23] In 2014, he appeared alongside his mother, Shahnaz, in a YouTube video which resulted in his mother gaining the attention of Bollywood and eventually landing a role in the Indian television series Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (This Is Love).[3]
Mawaan's brother, Nabhaan, also followed the family into a career in acting with his debut in BBC drama series Informer.[24]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Doctor Who | Mr Castavillian | BBC One | Mini-episode: "Destination: Skaro" |
| Juice | Jamal "Jamma" Jamshidi | BBC Three | (6 episodes) | |
| 2022 | The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer | Himself | Channel 4 | Series 5; episode 5 |
| The Big Fat Quiz of Everything | Himself | Channel 4 | 2022 special | |
| 2020 | Taskmaster | Himself | Channel 4 | Series 10 |
| Jonathan Ross' Comedy Club | Himself | ITV | (5 episodes) | |
| Two Weeks to Live | Nicky | Sky One | (6 episodes) | |
| 2019 | Live at the Apollo | Himself | BBC One | (1 episode) |
| Harry Hill's Clubnite | Himself | Channel 4 | (1 episode) | |
| The One Show | Himself | BBC One | (1 episode) | |
| 2018 | Next of Kin | Omar Shirani | ITV | mini-series (6 episodes) |
| The Big Asian Stand-Up | Himself | BBC Two | (1 episode) | |
| 2017 | Loaded | Duncan | Channel 4 | (1 episode) |
| five by five | Alex | BBC Three | mini-series (2 episodes) | |
| Vera | Jamil | ITV | Natural Selection (1 episode) | |
| 2016 | The Break | Actor | Netflix | Tying the Knot (1 episode) |
| Murdered by My Father | Imi | BBC Three | TV movie | |
| Getting High For God | Himself | BBC Three | 2-Part Documentary | |
| 2015 | Mega Awesome Super Hacks | Himself | Disney XD UK | (6 episodes) |
| How Gay Is Pakistan? | Himself | BBC Three | Documentary | |
| 2014–16 | The Dog Ate My Homework | Himself | CBBC | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | DNN: Definitely Not Newsround | Jahmene Mann | CBBC | 13 episodes |
| Project: Library | Jason | YouTube | 4 episodes |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Benjamin | Dhani | |
| 2017 | Carnage | Freddy Jayashankar | |
| 2016 | The Darkest Dawn | Ricky | |
| 2014 | The Nightman of Nevermore | JP | |
| 2013 | Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild | Iqbal/Old Woman |
Screenwriter
edit| Year | Title | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Juice | BBC Three | (6 episodes) |
| 2020-21 | Sex Education | Netflix | (2 episodes) |
| 2017–19 | Apple Tree House | CBeebies | (4 episodes) |
| 2016 | Spot Bots | CBeebies | (7 episodes) |
| 2014 | Swashbuckle | CBeebies | (3 episodes) |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | I Talk Telly Awards | Best Comedy Performance | Juice | Nominated | |
| 2024 | British Academy Television Awards | Best Male Comedy Performance | Won | [25] | |
| British Academy Television Craft Awards | Best Writer: Comedy | Nominated | |||
| Best Emerging Talent: Fiction | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ UTA. "United Talent Agency". www.unitedtalent.com. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ a b Rizwan, Mawaan (2 June 2018). "Opinion | How I Accidentally Made My Mom a Bollywood Star". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ a b Moorhead, Joanna (4 August 2018). "I asked my mum to be in my YouTube videos. Now she's a Bollywood star". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ BBC. "BBC - DNN - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ BAFTA. "2014 Children's Comedy | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Clare. "Oli White, Jimmy Hill & Mawaan Rizwan Host Disney XD Show – TenEighty — Internet culture in focus". TenEighty Magazine. TENEIGHTY DIGITAL LTD. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Wyatt, Daisy (20 October 2015). "How Gay is Pakistan? BBC3 - TV review". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Hill, Leigh Andrew (30 March 2016). "Mawaan Rizwan asks 'How Gay is Pakistan?' on ABC2". OUTInPerth - LGBTIQ News and Culture. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ CBC. "How Gay is Pakistan?". CBC. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Prime Video. "How Gay is Pakistan?". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ a b Segalov, Michael (13 August 2023). "'It's cheap therapy, innit!': comedian Mawaan Rizwan on family, adulthood and his brilliant new TV series". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ Hawkins, Si (6 December 2018). "Mawaan Rizwan - First Gig, Worst Gig". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Maxwell, Dominic. "Edinburgh comedy review: Mawaan Rizwan at Pleasance Dome". The Times. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Dessau, Bruce (22 August 2018). "Mawaan Rizwan spins a very funny yarn at the Fringe". Evening Standard. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "MAWAAN". Spotify. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "Mawaan Rizwan and Sian Clifford join Two Weeks To Live : News 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "Mawaan Rizwan named one of the '30 under 30' to watch : News 2020 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Craig, David (29 July 2020). "Taskmaster series 10 line-up confirmed with This Country's Daisy May Cooper and comedian Johnny Vegas". Radio Times. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy (17 September 2023). "Mawaan Rizwan and key cast interview - Juice". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Mawaan Rizwan: Juice". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Juice - BBC3 Sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ "Don't miss Mawaan Rizwan on Comic Relief on Friday 15th March!". Sue Terry Voices. 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Networks, Hornet (27 November 2017). "The Doc 'How Gay is Pakistan?' Is Now on Netflix, and It's Required Viewing for LGBTQ Millennials". Hornet. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Radio Times Staff. "Who is Nabhaan Rizwan? Everything you need to know about the rising star of BBC thriller Informer". Radio Times. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Mawaan Rizwan wins Male Performance in Comedy Award for Juice | BAFTA TV Awards 2024 - BBC" – via www.youtube.com.