The following bio is from THE ASSESSMENT, a Magnolia Pictures release. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Himesh Patel, voted as one of Screen International’s ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ in 2019, has established himself as one of the UK’s most versatile actors with projects spanning theatre, TV, and film.
Coming up for Himesh is the psychological thriller THE ASSESSMENT alongside Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Olsen. The film, directed by Fleur Fortuné, is set in a dystopian future where parenthood is strictly controlled; for the right to a child, a couple must go through a seven-day assessment. The film is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Next up this summer, Himesh stars opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lily James in GREEDY PEOPLE. Directed by Potsy Ponciroli and written by Mike Vukadinovich, this crime comedy follows the residents of a small island town who must navigate a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars. The film will be released in the US on 23rd August.
Later this year, Himesh will star alongside Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant, and Daniel Brühl in the upcoming HBO superhero movie-making comedy series THE FRANCHISE. The story follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie fight for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. The series ‘shines a light on the secret chase inside the world of superhero moviemaking, to ask the question — how exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? Because every fuck-up has an origin story.’
The series is directed by Sam Mendes, written by showrunner Jon Brown and Executive Produced by Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown, and Julie Pastor for Neal Street Productions; Armando Iannucci for Dundee Productions; Jon Brown, and Jim Kleverweis.
Previously in January 2024, Himesh starred in the Netflix film GOOD GRIEF. Written and directed by Dan Levy, this romantic comedy follows ‘Marc’ (Levy), a man who was content living in the shadow of his larger-than-life husband, ‘Oliver’ (Luke Evans). But when Oliver unexpectedly dies, Marc’s world shatters, sending him and his two best friends, ‘Sophie’ (Ruth Negga) and ‘Thomas’ (Himesh Patel), on a soul-searching trip to Paris that reveals some hard but tender truths they each needed to face.
In 2023, Himesh starred in the Netflix hit series BLACK MIRROR by Charlie Brooker. He starred in the latest anthology sixth series with names such as Salma Hayek Pinault, Aaron Paul and Rory Culkin starring in the new season. Himesh plays the role of Krish in the first episode of the series.
In April 2022, Himesh was seen starring in Amazon Prime’s hit series, TEN PERCENT, which takes place at a London talent agency where agents scramble to keep their star clients happy and their business afloat after the sudden death of their founder.
Earlier that same year, Himesh led Hiro Murai’s STATION ELEVEN, which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. Station Eleven is a post-apocalyptic saga on HBO Max that tells the devastating stories of flu survivors as they attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew. Himesh stars as ‘Jeevan’, an unemployed lost soul who must become a leader when the Georgia Flu strikes.
In 2021, Himesh starred in Adam McKay’s hotly anticipated film DON’T LOOK UP. Cast members include Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, and Jennifer Lawrence. The film follows two low-level astronomers who embark on a media tour to warn mankind of an approaching asteroid that will destroy Earth.
2020 saw Patel star in Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending film TENET, performing opposite Robert Pattinson, John David Washington, Clémence Poésy, Michael Caine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Kenneth Branagh. The film follows a ‘Protagonist’ who, fighting for the survival of the entire world, journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.
That same year, Himesh also starred in HBO’s AVENUE 5, a sci-fi comedy created, written, and executive produced by Armando Iannucci. Set 40 years in the future in the world of space tourism, Himesh plays a young stand-up comedian, Jordan Hatwal, who takes up an 8-week residency on a luxury cruise around Saturn to prove himself ‘the Funniest Man in the Universe’. Unfortunately for him, comedy clubs in space famously have no atmosphere. With fragile self-confidence and not quite enough material for the journey, nothing could possibly have prepared him. Himesh stars alongside Hugh Laurie, Josh Gad and Zach Woods.
Another recent performance by Patel is in the six-part BBC Two/Working Title TV adaptation of Eleanor Catton’s Man-Booker prize winning novel, THE LUMINARIES, an adventure mystery which tells the story of a pair of star-crossed lovers navigating life during New Zealand's 1860s gold rush. Taking on the role of ‘Emery Staines’, Himesh stars opposite Eva Green, Eve Hewson, and Marton Csokas.
2019 was an incredibly busy year for Himesh, having starred as the leading man of Danny Boyle’s box office smash hit musical comedy YESTERDAY. Written by Richard Curtis, Himesh played a struggling singer-songwriter who, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, wakes up to discover that he is the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles. Himesh can be seen performing new versions of The Beatles’ most beloved hits; he stars opposite Lily James, Kate McKinnon, and Ed Sheeran.
Other projects that year included: Tom Harper’s film THE AERONAUTS, where he performed alongside Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne. The biographical action adventure explores the quest of Pilot Amelia Wren and Scientist James Glaisher as they embark on a journey to make discoveries in a hot air balloon. Written by Jack Thorne, the film was released by Amazon Studios in November and was very well received by critics following its London Film Festival premiere.
Showcasing his comedic talents, Himesh can also be seen in Morwenna Banks and Jo Brand’s Channel 4 sitcom DAMNED alongside Jo Brand, Alan Davis, and Kevin Eldon, having reprised his role as ‘Nitin’.
Other notable work includes: the award-winning play PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS (New York transfer) directed by Jeremy Herrin and starring Denise Gough; and DON JUAN IN SOHO, directed by Patrick Marber and starring David Tennant and Adrian Scarborough. Himesh has acted as Associate Producer on Sarmad Masud’s feature debut MY PURE LAND, having starred as ‘Pavan’ in Sarmad’s short film TWO DOSAS, winner of Best Short Comedy at the London Short Film Festival 2015.
Himesh made his acting debut in 2007 in the role of ‘Tamwar Masood’ in the hit BBC soap opera EASTENDERS, which he played until 2016.
Images from THE ASSESSMENT
