Bilal Ali Hasna (/bɪˈlɑːl ˈhæsnə/;[1] born 1999) is a British actor and playwright. He starred in the film Layla (2024). On television, he is known for his roles in the Star series Extraordinary (2023–) and the Amazon Prime series Dead Hot (2024).

Bilal Hasna
Born
Bilal Ali Hasna

1999 (age 24–25)
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge
Years active2020–present

Hasna was named a 2023 Screen International Star of Tomorrow.[2]

Early life

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Hasna was born in central London to a Palestinian father and a Pakistani Punjabi mother.[3] Hasna attended Haberdashers' Boys' School in Elstree. He graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. During university, he participated in theatre with the Marlowe Society and Pembroke Players.[2][4]

Career

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Having come up with the idea in 2021,[5] Hasna co-wrote and starred in the one-man play For a Palestinian with Aaron Kilercioglu, which was staged in 2022 at Camden People's Theatre and also featured at the Bristol Old Vic.[6]

After making appearances in Sparks and Screw,[7][8] in 2023, Hasna had his first main television role as Kash in the Disney+ Star superhero comedy Extraordinary.[9] He made his feature film debut as the titular character of Amrou Al-Kadhi's Layla.[10] He joined the voice cast of the animated film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.[11] He also has an upcoming lead role opposite Vivian Oparah in the Amazon Prime comedy thriller series Dead Hot.[12]

Personal life

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Hasna identifies as queer.[13]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2024 Layla Layla
2024 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Voice role
2025 Christmas Karma

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2020 Sparks Shahid Episode: "Shahid's First Shave"
2022 Screw DS Norris 1 episode
2023–present Extraordinary Kash Main role
2024 3 Body Problem Edgar 3 episodes
2024 Dead Hot Elliott Main role

References

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  1. ^ "Bilal Hasna% 1 min". Medical Aid for Palestinians. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b Jolin, Dan (28 June 2023). "Stars of Tomorrow 2023: Bilal Hasna (actor)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. ^ Sierz, Aleks (26 September 2022). "Aaron Kilercioglu and Bilal Hasna's "For A Palestinian" at Camden People's Theatre". The Theatre Times. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Person: Bilal Hasna". CamDram. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Bilal Hasna and Aaron Kilercioglu on For A Palestinian". Camden People's Theatre. 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  6. ^ Farrel Roig, Estel (22 October 2017). "For a Palestinian is a 'moving and meaningful' political play". Bristol Post. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  7. ^ Hibbs, James (25 January 2023). "Extraordinary cast: Meet the stars of Disney Plus superhero comedy". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Bilal Hasna". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  9. ^ Cavanaugh, Abby (28 January 2023). "'Extraordinary' Cast Talks Superpowers and What Drew Them to the Series". Collider. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  10. ^ Dalton, Ben (1 December 2022). "Amrou Al-Kadhi's queer love story 'Layla' wraps UK shoot for Film4, BFI; first-look revealed (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  11. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 15, 2022). "'The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim': Anime Voice Cast Counts Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Miranda Otto & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  12. ^ Rowan, Iona (17 August 2023). "Stay Close and It's a Sin bosses' new thriller series gets release window". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  13. ^ Scheetz, Cameron (17 March 2024). "Bilal Hasna dishes on doing drag for 'Layla,' queer intimacy, & dancing to the 'Glee' soundtrack". Queerty. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
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