Rishi Nair

Rishi Kumar Nair (born 22 January 1991) is a British actor. On television, he is known for his roles in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks (2017–2021) and the ITV detective drama Grantchester (2024–). He also appeared in the ITVX horror comedy Count Abdulla.

Early life Nair was born in the West London Borough of Ealing. He grew up in an Indian family. Prior to going into acting school, Nair studied law at university.

Career Nair made his television debut in 2015 with appearances in episodes of the BBC One police procedurals Silent Witness and New Tricks. He also had stage roles in The Jungle Book at the Emporium Theatre in Brighton, The Sawyer Studies at the Etcetera Theatre in London, and Bring on the Bollywood at Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. He appeared in the independent films I'm Still Here (2013), The Forbidden Note (2016), and Retribution (2017).

Also in 2017, Nair joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as lawyer Sami Maalik, a new member of the Maalik family, making his debut in September 2017. For his performance, Nair was shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the 2018 Inside Soap Awards. He exited the soap at the end of 2021 after four years.

After leaving Hollyoaks, Nair appeared in the 2022 comedy film Brian and Charles and had guest roles in the Acorn TV crime drama Whitstable Pearl and the Netflix series Treason. In 2023, Nair played Maajid in the ITVX vampire sitcom Count Abdulla. In July 2023, it was announced Nair would join the cast of the ITV detective drama Grantchester for its ninth series as vicar Alphy Kottaram, replacing the outgoing Tom Brittney (who plays Reverend Will Davenport) in the main ensemble.

Personal life Nair is a patron of the Family Burns Club charity.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2013 I'm Still Here Visitor 2016 The Forbidden Note Ali 2017 Retribution Rohit 2022 Brian and Charles Stephen Alderton

Television Year Title Role Notes 2015 Silent Witness Dean's Heavy 2 episodes 2015 New Tricks AJ Da Silva Episode: "Prodigal Sons" 2017–2021 Hollyoaks Sami Maalik 256 episodes 2020 The Duchess Receptionist 1 episode 2022 Whitstable Pearl Adnan Episode: "To Those We Love" 2022 Treason Met Officer 1 episode 2023 Count Abdulla Maajid 5 episodes 2024-present Grantchester Alphy Kotteram Main role 2024 The Marlow Murder Club Shamil Malik 3 episodes 2026 Grace Neel Siddiqui Episode: "Left You Dead" 2026 Monarch Of The GlenDaniel TBA Romeo Hotel Eleven Jaye

Stage Year Title Role Notes 2015 The Jungle Book Shere Khan Emporium Theatre, Brighton 2015 The Sawyer Studies Connor Etcetera Theatre, London 2016 Bring on the Bollywood Amit Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2018 Inside Soap Awards Best Newcomer Hollyoaks 2019 Inside Soap Awards Best Actor Hollyoaks 2020 25th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Hollyoaks 2026 National Television Awards Drama Performance Grantchester