At the 2025 Eastern Eye Arts, Culture & Theatre Awards (ACTAs), actor Staz Nair was honoured with the prestigious Trailblazer Award for his outstanding contributions to film and television and for redefining South Asian representation on screen. He received the award for his powerful portrayal of DI Harry Virdee in the BBC One crime thriller VIRDEE, a performance that has earned widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers hailed Nair for bringing both gravitas and nuance to the complex character—The Guardian praised his “charisma” and described his portrayal as “ineffably cool,” while Digital Spy lauded it as “the best he's ever been.”
Staz Nair's rise to prominence is marked by an impressive and diverse career. He currently headlines VIRDEE, but his international profile soared with his lead role as Tarak in Zack Snyder’s epic Netflix sci-fi saga Rebel Moon. Both parts of the franchise stormed the global charts, topping Netflix's worldwide rankings in 92 countries. His ability to blend depth with star appeal has made him a standout figure in blockbuster storytelling.
Nair's upcoming role as co-lead in Harvest Moon, opposite Paul Bettany in a Miramax production, is further testament to his growing stature in the film industry. The project is highly anticipated and marks yet another major milestone in his cinematic journey.
Earlier in his career, Nair made a strong impression in television, starring as Qhono in HBO’s global hit Game of Thrones over three seasons and as William Dey in Supergirl for Warner Bros. His breakout performance came in the iconic role of Rocky in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, directed by Kenny Ortega, showcasing his early promise and on-screen charisma.
With each role, Staz Nair continues to push boundaries and open doors for greater diversity in mainstream entertainment. His ACTAs Trailblazer Award is a fitting recognition of a trail already blazed—and a future that promises even greater impact.
