Arian Nik

Board

Arian Nik is a British-Iranian actor and writer from Leeds.

A Mountview graduate, Arian completed his BA (Hons) in Acting and served a three-year term on Mountview’s Board of Trustees, contributing to the school’s artistic and institutional development. His time at Mountview shaped his craft and his passion for telling stories that reflect diverse voices and contemporary experiences. 

Since leaving Mountview, Arian has established himself as one of the most distinctive new talents in British television and theatre. His stage work includes performances across some of the UK’s leading theatres, most notably with the Olivier-nominated Blue Mist (Royal Court Theatre) and Speed (Bush Theatre). Other notable theatre credits include The Village (Theatre Royal Stratford East), The Ugly One (Park Theatre), and Kabul Goes Pop (Brixton House). 

On screen, Arian has appeared in a range of television and film productions. He starred in the ITV comedy Count Abdulla, playing the title role of Abdulla Khan — a young British Muslim vampire navigating faith, identity and the absurdities of modern life. The series brought Arian critical acclaim, described in The Evening Standard as: “Dark, bawdy and brilliant…what sets Count Abdulla apart from other comedies of its kind is Nik, and his unrivalled performance as Abdulla”.

His further television credits include BBC shows The Split Up, Film Club, and Daddy Issues, as well as performances in Killing Eve, It Gets Worse, and The Bay. Arian’s film credits include Dating Amber, Artemis Fowl, Allelujah!, and Giant. 

In addition to his acting career, Arian is an emerging writer, developing original projects for both stage and screen. His work often explores themes of identity, belonging, cultural heritage and the diasporic experience – subjects informed by his own background and upbringing in Leeds within the British-Iranian community.

Beyond his artistic work, Arian has been an advocate for representation and inclusivity within the arts. His involvement in institutional governance at Mountview, coupled with his creative projects, reflects his commitment to making the industry more accessible. 

Arian continues to build an exciting and varied body of work, marking him as one of the most promising voices of his generation in British film, television and theatre.