Leila Farzad

Leila Effat Farzad is a British actress. She is known for her role as Naomi Jones in the Sky Atlantic series I Hate Suzie (2020–2022), which earned her a British Academy Television Award nomination.

Early life and education Leila Effat Farzad was born in London to Iranian parents. She was inspired to pursue acting by National Theatre productions her aunt took her to see; however, her parents insisted that she get a degree from Oxbridge first.

She first studied modern languages at Worcester College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Italian Literature. She then went on to train at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which she said "felt like home".

Career Farzad began her career with a voice role in the third and fourth series of the Channel 5 animated children's series Peppa Pig. She made her live action television debut in an episode of the ITV police procedural Law & Order: UK and her professional stage debut as the titular role in Miriam. Gonzalez. Durantez. at Theatre503. This was followed by roles in Blue Remembered Hills at Chichester Festival Theatre, Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre in London, Richard II at Shakespeare's Globe. She also appeared in the ITV anthology Innocent.

Farzad landed her first main role in I Hate Suzie as Naomi Jones, Suzie's (Billie Piper) manager and friend. The series was released in 2020 on Sky Atlantic and HBO Max to critical acclaim, and Farzad was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress. Farzad reprised her role in I Hate Suzie'''s second instalment titled I Hate Suzie Too in 2022. British Academy Television Award nomination.

Also in 2022, Farzad joined the cast of Avenue 5 for its second season and appeared alongside Josh Hartnett in The Fear Index, also on Sky.

In 2023, she starred in the BBC crime drama Better''.

Personal life Farzad has a daughter, born in 2014, with James Maizels. In 2023, Farzad began a brief affair with Andrew Buchan, her co-star in Better.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2023 The Marvels Talia 2025 Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger Margot Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Perfect Nicolette Good Luck Fuck Face Zara Short film Pose Dolly Original title: Turn Up the Sun! Jay Kelly 1st AD 2026 Overtones Nicky Short film

Television Year Title Role Notes 2004–2015 Peppa Pig Mummy Pony / Mummy Cat (voices) Recurring roles; 15 episodes 2009 Law & Order: UK Leyla Bilgin Episode: "Paradise" 2010 Married Single Other Student Doctor Episode: "Chink" 2011 Twenty Twelve Journalist Episode: "Countdown" 2013 Man Down Eyebrow Lady Episode: "Desperate Dan" 2015 Cuffs Amika Khan Mini-series; episode: "Drastic Action" 2017 Count Arthur Strong Reporter Episode: "Untrue Detective" 2018 Innocent Janice Parker Episodes #1.1 and #1.2 2020–2022 I Hate Suzie Naomi Jones Main role; series 1 and 2; 11 episodes 2021 This Time with Alan Partridge Clarissa Hoskin Episode #2.1 Landscapers Barrister Mini-series; episode 4 2022 The Fear Index Gabrielle Hoffman 4 episodes Avenue 5 Elena Season 2; 7 episodes 2023 Better DI Lou Slack Main role; 5 episodes Black Mirror Mona Javadi Episode: "Joan Is Awful" 2024 The Decameron Stratilia Mini-series; 8 episodes Kaos Ari (Ariadne) 6 episodes 2026 How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Marnie 4 episodes Two Weeks in August Nat Main cast; mini-series; 8 episodes

Stage Year Title Role Notes 2010 Miriam. Gonzalez. Durantez. Miriam Gonzalez Theatre503, London 2012 Blue Remembered Hills Angela Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester 2018 Julius Caesar Decius Brutus Bridge Theatre, London 2019 Richard II Queen Globe Theatre, London 2026 Under the Shadow Shideh Almeida Theatre, London

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2021 British Academy Television Awards Best Supporting Actress I Hate Suzie