20 Most Beautiful Muslim Actresses in Hollywood

From breakout superhero leads to award-nominated veterans, Muslim actresses have shaped Hollywood with memorable roles across film and television. The stars below bring global backgrounds, languages, and training to major studios and prestige series, building diverse careers that span genres and platforms. Their credits range from blockbusters and streaming hits to acclaimed indies, and many also champion representation and industry access. Here are 20 working in Hollywood whose work you’ve likely seen on big and small screens.

Sofia Boutella

Algerian-born Sofia Boutella transitioned from a dance career to acting with standout roles in ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ and ‘Star Trek Beyond’. She headlined Universal’s ‘The Mummy’ opposite Tom Cruise and led Zack Snyder’s space epic ‘Rebel Moon’. Boutella often performs complex stunt work and physical choreography that anchors her action roles. She is fluent in French and English and frequently works across European and American productions.

Shohreh Aghdashloo

Shohreh Aghdashloo earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘House of Sand and Fog’ and became a fan favorite as Chrisjen Avasarala on ‘The Expanse’. Her film credits include ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’, ‘The Nativity Story’, and numerous festival titles. Aghdashloo’s stage and voice work span Shakespeare to major video games and animation. She is also an author and a longtime advocate for women’s rights and refugee support.

Nazanin Boniadi

Nazanin Boniadi’s television work includes pivotal arcs on ‘Homeland’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’, plus a leading role in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’. Her film credits range from studio thrillers to independent dramas. A former hospital-trained scientist, she brings a research background to roles that require technical authenticity. Boniadi is an active human rights campaigner and frequently addresses issues affecting artists and dissidents.

Golshifteh Farahani

Golshifteh Farahani’s Hollywood projects include ‘Body of Lies’, ‘Paterson’, and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’. She appears in international hits and speaks multiple languages, enabling a career that moves between American and European cinema. Farahani also features in high-visibility streaming films and series. She is a trained musician and occasionally composes or performs for screen projects.

Iman Vellani

Iman Vellani made her screen debut as Kamala Khan in ‘Ms. Marvel’ and reprised the role in ‘The Marvels’. Cast while still a student, she quickly became a central figure in a major superhero franchise. Vellani consults on character details and comic lore to keep adaptations consistent with the source material. She engages directly with fans through conventions and official tie-in media.

May Calamawy

May Calamawy co-starred in ‘Moon Knight’ as Layla El-Faouly and appears in the award-winning series ‘Ramy’. Her filmography includes independent features and festival shorts shot across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Calamawy trained in acting in the United States and works in both English and Arabic. She has discussed bridging regional stories with global platforms in interviews and panels.

Dina Shihabi

Dina Shihabi’s credits include ‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’, ‘Altered Carbon’, and the horror hit ‘Archive 81’. She studied at top performing arts programs in the United States after growing up in the Middle East. Shihabi often plays multilingual characters and has experience with motion capture and genre work. She collaborates with creators developing stories centered on diaspora identities.

Yasmine Al Massri

Yasmine Al Massri is known for ‘Quantico’, where she portrayed twin sisters with distinct accents and mannerisms. She began as a dancer and visual artist before transitioning to film and television. Al Massri works in Arabic, French, and English, which expands her casting range. She also participates in arts education initiatives for young performers.

Lyna Khoudri

Lyna Khoudri appeared in Wes Anderson’s ‘The French Dispatch’ and continues to balance European cinema with English-language projects. She won early festival recognition that opened doors to international casting. Khoudri often prepares with dialect coaches to shift between accents as required. Her roles range from period pieces to contemporary dramas.

Zuleikha Robinson

Zuleikha Robinson has appeared in ‘Lost’, ‘Homeland’, and ‘The Exorcist’ series. Trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she works across television thrillers, horror, and character-driven dramas. Robinson’s film credits include studio releases and independent features. She frequently portrays investigators, journalists, and morally complex leads.

Noureen DeWulf

Noureen DeWulf starred opposite Charlie Sheen in ‘Anger Management’ and has appeared in comedies like ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’. She works in sitcoms, romantic comedies, and ensemble films. DeWulf’s training includes improvisation that she uses in multi-camera productions. She is active in sports and lifestyle programming and has hosted entertainment segments.

Azita Ghanizada

Azita Ghanizada’s credits include ‘Alphas’, ‘Ballers’, and recurring roles across network television. She founded an advocacy group focused on increasing opportunities for Middle Eastern and North African artists. Ghanizada consults on character authenticity and inclusive casting practices. She regularly speaks at industry panels about representation standards.

Sheila Vand

Sheila Vand appeared in ‘Argo’ and led the cult favorite ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’. She has extensive stage experience and works in both experimental and mainstream projects. Vand brings visual art influences to collaborations with directors and cinematographers. Her television credits include roles on prestige dramas and genre shows.

Mozhan Navabi

Mozhan Navabi is known for ‘House of Cards’ and ‘The Blacklist’ and also directs and writes. She trained at elite theater programs and performs in multiple languages. Navabi’s filmography spans political thrillers and character-focused dramas. She has premiered short films at major festivals and developed feature scripts.

Zar Amir Ebrahimi

Zahra Amir Ebrahimi gained international acclaim for ‘Holy Spider’ and works across European and American productions. She balances acting with producing and development roles. Ebrahimi participates in film labs that support exiled and emerging filmmakers. She often mentors creators bringing Persian-language stories to global audiences.

Sibel Kekilli

Sibel Kekilli reached worldwide audiences as Shae on ‘Game of Thrones’. She first broke through with an award-winning European drama before transitioning to international television. Kekilli has also worked on crime procedurals and historical series. She collaborates with directors who emphasize character psychology and grounded dialogue.

Leem Lubany

Leem Lubany made her Hollywood debut in ‘Rock the Kasbah’ and later starred in the espionage series ‘Condor’. She works in English and Arabic and has experience with both indie and studio sets. Lubany often trains for action sequences and firearm safety for spy roles. She continues to book projects across streaming platforms.

Hiam Abbass

Hiam Abbass appears in ‘Succession’ and films such as ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and ‘Munich’. She is also a filmmaker who has directed short-form projects and served as a cultural consultant. Abbass frequently plays family matriarchs and leaders in corporate or political settings. She works seamlessly between Hollywood, European cinema, and Middle Eastern productions.

Yasmine Al-Bustami

Yasmine Al-Bustami stars on ‘NCIS: Hawaiʻi’ and previously appeared on ‘The Originals’ and ‘S.W.A.T.’. She trained in the United States and books roles that range from procedural drama to supernatural fantasy. Al-Bustami has experience with high-volume network schedules and location shoots. She engages with fans through conventions and behind-the-scenes content.

Nimra Bucha

Nimra Bucha introduced many viewers to her work through ‘Ms. Marvel’ and the British hit ‘Polite Society’. She started in theater and television before entering global streaming projects. Bucha often collaborates with South Asian and British creators on genre blends. Her roles include mentors, antagonists, and authority figures in modern settings.

Share your favorites from this list and tell us which performances you think deserve more spotlight in the comments.