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Rishi Nair wins EasternEye Best Actor Award

Rishi Nair’s standout role as Reverend Alphy Kottaram in Grantchester earns him top acting honour at the Eastern Eye Art, Culture and Theatre Awards 2025.

Rishi Nair wins EasternEye Best Actor Award
Nayana Ashok
By Nayana AshokMay 23, 2025
Nayana Ashok
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Rishi Nair has been honoured with the Best Actor (Film, TV & Drama) award at the Eastern Eye Art, Culture and Theatre Awards (ACTAs) 2025 for his compelling performance as Reverend Alphy Kottaram in the acclaimed ITV series Grantchester. Joining the show in its ninth series, Nair’s portrayal of the confident and charismatic new vicar has captivated audiences and critics alike, earning him this prestigious recognition.

Rishi’s television career began with roles in notable BBC dramas such as Capital, New Tricks, and Silent Witness. He first gained wider prominence as Sami Maalik, a regular character in the popular Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. Building on this success, he appeared in leading and guest roles in hit shows across various platforms, including Netflix’s The Duchess and Treason, Acorn TV’s Whitstable Pearl, ITV’s Count Abdullah, and PBS Masterpiece’s The Marlow Murder Club. His diverse body of work reflects his versatility and commitment to nuanced storytelling.

In Grantchester, Rishi Nair brings to life Reverend Alphy Kottaram, a role that has allowed him to explore complex themes of identity, acceptance, and societal change in 1960s England. Alphy’s initial challenges within the village community and his evolving partnership with Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, played by Robson Green, add rich layers to the show’s narrative. Nair’s performance has been widely praised for its depth, highlighting the vicar’s strength and vulnerability during a transformative period in British society.

Beyond television, Rishi has also showcased his talent on the big screen with roles in feature films including Brian and Charles, The Forbidden Note, and Crossed Paths. His rising profile across film and television continues to mark him as one of the most exciting actors of his generation.

With his ACTAs 2025 Best Actor award, Rishi Nair solidifies his position as a significant figure in contemporary British drama, celebrated for his powerful portrayals and his ability to bring complex characters to life.

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acceptanceactasartawardsbest actorcomplex characterscontemporary british dramaculturedramaeastern eyefeature filmsfilmgrantchesteridentityitv seriesnetflixrishi nairrising profilerobson greentheatretv

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