Actor Riz Ahmed revealed that moving to the United States was a turning point in his career, allowing him to overcome barriers he faced in the UK film industry. Speaking during a Q&A session at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Ahmed explained that while he achieved early success in the UK with indie films such as Four Lions and Shifty, he struggled to find broader opportunities.
Ahmed described the UK industry as limiting, particularly for actors like him. While his indie films were successful, he encountered what he characterized as a career glass ceiling, with casting largely focused on period dramas and a lack of roles for diverse talent. Despite interest from some industry figures, he said that work opportunities were scarce and he often found himself without acting roles.
A conversation with fellow actor Idris Elba proved pivotal. Ahmed credited Elba with advising him to take his career to the U.S., emphasizing the importance of avoiding self-categorization and embracing a wider range of opportunities. Ahmed acknowledged that relocating to Los Angeles involved significant financial risk, with most of his savings spent on the move, but he chose to gamble on the chance to audition in the American film industry.
Ahmed’s first major U.S. project came with Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler, where he starred opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. He recounted that upon arriving in Los Angeles, he focused intensely on the script and approached the audition with full commitment. This initial success in the U.S. opened doors to further high-profile roles.
Following Nightcrawler, Ahmed secured the lead role in HBO’s The Night Of, a project that significantly boosted his career. His work in the series was widely recognized and helped establish him as a prominent actor in the American entertainment industry. Ahmed’s experiences highlighted the contrast between the limited scope of the UK industry for actors from diverse backgrounds and the broader opportunities available in the U.S. market.
Ahmed’s comments came during his service on the Red Sea Film Festival jury, where he joined industry peers including Sean Baker, Nadine Labaki, Olga Kurylenko, and Naomie Harris. He used the platform to reflect on the challenges of navigating the film industries in different countries and the importance of strategic career decisions.
The actor’s journey also illustrated the financial and personal risks involved in pursuing international opportunities. Ahmed invested heavily in his relocation to Los Angeles, demonstrating a willingness to take substantial personal and financial risks to pursue growth and visibility in the global film industry.
Ahmed’s experience underscores a broader trend in the film industry, where actors from international markets often face limitations at home and must move abroad to access larger roles, higher budgets, and more diverse storytelling opportunities. His path reflects the growing influence of Hollywood as a platform for talent from around the world seeking breakthrough opportunities.
His trajectory also emphasizes mentorship and guidance within the industry. The advice from Elba, a seasoned actor with experience navigating similar challenges, provided both practical and motivational support for Ahmed’s decision to move internationally. By following this advice, Ahmed was able to navigate the competitive U.S. industry and leverage high-profile projects to establish his reputation.
The Red Sea Film Festival provided Ahmed with a chance to discuss his career while also participating in judging emerging films. His reflections on his career transition serve as an example for other actors facing barriers in their home industries and highlight the potential benefits of seeking opportunities beyond national borders.
Ahmed’s success in Hollywood has since included both film and television projects, demonstrating his versatility and ability to capitalize on opportunities that may not have been available in the UK. His experience reinforces the importance of strategic career planning and the willingness to take risks to achieve long-term professional growth.
The actor’s story reflects the broader challenges and opportunities for actors from diverse backgrounds and the role of international mobility in shaping modern entertainment careers. His career trajectory illustrates how moving to the U.S. allowed him to bypass limitations and achieve significant breakthroughs in Hollywood.
