Today we’d like to introduce you to Waseem Abbas.
Hi Waseem, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in the UK to Iraqi parents and began my career as an actor at an early age on the stages of Wales, and have since continued to work between the US, UK, and in the Middle East. I began my training in the UK (where I was born and raised) at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and continued my training in UCLA (University of California Los Angeles), where I furthered my skills as an actor and in the business of entertainment. The first feature I acted in “Baghdad in My Shadow” premiered at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival and received critical acclaim. I remember receiving the audition for it, and at the time was working a steady job for a commercial firm in Dubai. It was at that point where I had to make a life-changing decision of remaining in my stable job or pursuing my calling as an actor. I said yes to the role, and the rest is history.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Coming from a background of a minority culture, I have faced the challenge of not knowing where I fit in within the industry. Growing up, I aspired to be in films that inspired me as a child that had no cultural bearing. Stories carrying universal themes that made an impact because of great writing and excellence in creative vision.
Whilst I’ve been grateful to work on projects delving into my cultural background, I have witnessed that the journey of representation hasn’t been an easy one: not just for me alone, but for many artists of a unique ethnic background.
The main challenge as an artist has been to find my own unique voice. Through trial and error, experiences, and collaborations of various kinds, I have been able to gain a better understanding of myself and what I want to offer in this industry. Being a cross-cultured artist has enabled me to stretch myself in regions both in Western and Middle-Eastern markets, and whilst that has been challenging, it has also been a rewarding and enriching experience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an actor, I would say that I’ve been blessed in demonstrating versatility within my work, and also my strengths in language ability as well as delivering in a range of accents. I most recently completed the limited series “Flight 422” (MBC Studios), playing a recurring role in a Lebanese dialect, as well as in the series “Liaison” (Apple TV), playing a Turkish character, and “Soulmates” on (Amazon Prime) delivering in a US accent. I’m also excited to share that “Kal & Cambridge” a Romantic-Comedy set in London will soon be released on Amazon Prime, where I play the lead role.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
To be an artist of any kind involves risk, and I’m a believer in taking healthy risks that allow you to grow both as a person and as an artist. Most actors I’ve witnessed have taken great risks of many kinds- be it in the roles they play or the projects they’ve been involved in. This is something I’ve made an effort to apply in my own journey, perhaps unknowingly at times, and with great lessons learned. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was in playing a role deemed highly controversial in the Middle East- and that is of representing a character who is LGBTQ. This was an opportunity (Baghdad in My Shadow) where I felt it very important to support, especially with it being my first opportunity to play a main role in a feature film. I felt I had no other choice but to accept the offer despite the various risks involved. As an actor, I believe it is my duty to represent humanity. This means I enter into roles willingly and openly regardless of their ethnic background, class, creed, sexuality or gender identity. Facing my fears surrounding this opportunity enabled me to grow much more as an actor, and strengthened my confidence to work with materials that reach deeper into the complexities of the human condition.
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/waseem
- Instagram: _waseemabbas
- Other: https://app.spotlight.com/9494-0162-6388
Image Credits
Alvaro Pinto IMDB
