Mawaan Rizwan is a Pakistani-born British actor, writer, and comedian known for his distinctive humour and creativity. He immigrated to London with his family at the age of six, overcoming challenges, including a threat of deportation, which they successfully fought against.
Mawaan began his career early, creating YouTube videos at 16 that garnered attention and led to television roles. He starred in the BAFTA-nominated series DNN: Definitely Not Newsround, a spoof news comedy for children, and appeared in the Disney XD UK series Mega Awesome Super Hacks in 2015.
His documentary How Gay Is Pakistan?, released in 2015, examined the challenges faced by LGBTQ Muslims under Islamic law. This project was broadcast internationally and marked a pivotal moment in his career, reflecting his commitment to social justice and his personal journey as a gay man.
In stand-up comedy, Mawaan performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, receiving positive reviews in 2018 and 2019 for his insightful exploration of life's complexities. His breakthrough in television came with the Sky One comedy series Two Weeks to Live in 2020. He also contributed as a writer to Netflix's Sex Education and appeared in the BBC Three drama Murdered by My Father, earning a spot on Forbes' '30 under 30' list in 2020.
Mawaan has ventured into music, releasing singles such as I've Got a New Walk, Mango, and Never Been Skiing in 2019. His music has been featured in various performances, including a special appearance on Comic Relief in March 2024.
His latest project is the BBC Three surreal comedy series Juice, which he wrote, starred in and co-produced. Based on his 2018 Edinburgh Fringe show, it features his mother and brother in key roles. With his diverse talents and dedication to social issues, Mawaan Rizwan is a notable figure in comedy, blending humour with depth and tackling complex themes.
