Mawaan Rizwan

Mawaan Rizwan (born 18 August 1992) is a Pakistani-born British actor and comedian who began his career as a YouTuber. He created and starred in the BBC Three comedy Juice. He won a British Academy Television Award for his performance, in addition to receiving writing nominations.

Early life Rizwan 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 emigrated 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.

Career Rizwan 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. In 2015 he starred in Disney XD UK series Mega Awesome Super Hacks alongside Oli White and Jimmy Hill.

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. The documentary was televised internationally, including on ABC2 in Australia, CBC in Canada and in various markets via Amazon Prime Video.

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. 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.

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.

In 2020, Rizwan starred in the Sky One comedy series Two Weeks to Live. 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. 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.

In 2021, Rizwan was appointed as Young Person's Comedy Laureate by the BBC as well as head judge of BBC New Comedy Award. In 2022, he appeared on Channel 4's 40th Anniversary special of Saturday Live (retitled as Friday Night Live), performing his song "Are You Checking Me Out Or Are You Just A Racist?" The song was later released as a single across music streaming platforms, with an official music video released in December the same year, featuring Nabhaan Rizwan, his "more famous brother" referred to in the lyrics.

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. Rizwan's mother and brother also appeared in Juice as the family of Rizwan's character, Jamma. On its release The Guardian commented that "His [Mawaan's] childlike way of exploring life's complexities has won him legions of fans".

In March 2024, Rizwan appeared on Comic Relief on BBC Two, performing a country version of "Are You Checking Me Out Or Are You Just A Racist?".

In April and May 2026, Rizwan made his debut at the Royal Shakespeare Company playing The Barker / Giri in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht in a new version by Stephen Sharkey, alongside Mark Gatiss in the title role and directed by Seán Linnen at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Personal life Rizwan is gay, having come out to his traditional Muslim parents at the age of 24. In 2012, 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).

Filmography

Television

Film Year Title Role Notes / 2013 Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild Iqbal/Old Woman 2014 The Nightman of Nevermore JP 2016 The Darkest Dawn Ricky 2017 Carnage Freddy Jayashankar 2018 Benjamin Dhani 2025 Tinsel Town Nigel Television film; broadcast on Sky Cinema BlackoutReubenShort film by Chris Urch; premiered at the 2025 Iris Film Festival

Screenwriting credits

Theatre

Discography Singles Released in 2019: "I've Got a New Walk" "Mango" "Never Been Skiing" Released in 2022: Are you Checking Me out or Are you Just a Racist? Released in 2024: Are you Checking Me out or Are you Just a Racist? (Country Version) - Live from the Palladium

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref.2011Best of Boroughs Film AwardsAudience AwardJimmy Will Play British Academy Television Awards Best Male Comedy PerformanceJuice British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Writer: Comedy Best Emerging Talent: Fiction 2026 British Academy Television Awards Best Male Comedy Performance