The power of portrayal

After three intense weeks of filming Season 2 of a series called Faithless in Ireland, Amir El Masry finally gets a well-deserved day to unwind before heading to Egypt- and we finally caught up with him on a Sunday afternoon. Wanting this interview to add to his much-needed break rather than disrupt it, I decide—as a Syrian—to start on a light note, testing his Syrian dialect, a skill he tirelessly honed for his role in LIMBO. He was effortlessly charming, making me laugh so hard with his attempts. There’s nothing like good humor to break the ice, but beyond the laughs, the 34-year-old Egyptian-British actor has a depth of insight and a vision well worth sharing.

Having watched several of his works—each remarkable in its diversity, from content to production—and having humbly done my research, I anticipated that interviewing Amir El Masry would be an intriguing experience. You never quite know which facet of his ever-evolving persona will emerge—Syrian Refugee Omar from Limbo, British Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, or yet another dimension of his craft. But one thing remains constant: his authenticity, coupled with that unmistakably Egyptian sense of humor that effortlessly weaves through the conversation, making the interview all the more engaging—and leading me to stray from my list of questions, something we both thoroughly enjoyed.

 "When I was younger, I wanted to work in Egypt, but it wasn’t about becoming a superstar. It was about the craft. Acting reflected my childhood, and I fell in love with it. Theatre deepened that passion, pushing me to find an agent and work toward my goals.” Amir reflects on how his journey all began. Indeed, in his homeland of Egypt, the young actor began his ascent up the stardom ladder with steady determination. He quickly made a name for himself in the Arab world, starting with his debut in the Egyptian comedy Ramadan Mabrouk Abul-Alamein Hamouda (2008), which earned him Best Movie Debut at the Egyptian Cinema Oscar Festival. This was followed by his role in the hit comedy El-Talatah Yishtaghaloonha (2010). From there, Amir’s career took an international turn. He landed high-profile roles, beginning with Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, Rosewater (2014), followed by performances in the multi-award-winning series The Night Manager (2016) and the BAFTA-nominated The State (2017). That same year, he took on a groundbreaking challenge in Lost in London, a one-of-a-kind film directed by and starring Woody Harrelson, which was shot and broadcast live in cinemas across the US and UK.

Amir’s exceptional talent propelled him onto the international stage, earning him global recognition. However, for the award-winning actor, it has never been about chasing fame.  “Anything is possible, of course!” affirms the young actor who won Best Actor at the Scottish BAFTAs for his performance in the film LIMBO and was nominated for a British Independent Film Award. He was named a 2020 BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and a 2021 Screen International Star of Tomorrow. “But the focus shouldn’t be on seeking global recognition. It should be about telling stories that are true to the culture, stories worth sharing. If they are, they will reach audiences organically. Ultimately, if you’re part of the right project—one that resonates—it will find its way to the world,” Amir shares when I ask him about what truly paves the way for an actor or project to gain international acclaim. “It’s about the power of storytelling and creating narratives that resonate, inspire, and endure,” he adds.

Although acting was initially a means of escape for Amir as a child, it evolved into something far more profound over the years. “I was a relatively shy kid, and acting gave me the opportunity to hide behind a mask. My family encouraged me to pursue it to overcome that shyness, but then I fell in love with it. Over time, it became more than just a passion—it became a purpose. It now feels like a responsibility—choosing the right roles, representing something meaningful—especially growing up as a British Egyptian.” As he shares this, a trace of that childhood shyness resurfaces in his expression and tone.

The conversation takes a more serious turn as Amir discusses his sense of responsibility in breaking stereotypes and paving the way for more diverse storytelling." Given today’s social and political climate, we have a responsibility to portray characters in a way that challenges outdated narratives. For so long, others have told our stories through a stereotypical lens, and it’s time we take control. The key to shifting perception lies in the quality of our storytelling. We need powerful, well-crafted narratives that go beyond clichés." His words carry the weight of conviction, spoken with the determination of a young man who understands the impact of his craft. He further emphasises that great storytelling transcends aesthetics and budget, illustrating his point with one of his latest projects. "Take The Stories, for example—it’s not a massive-budget production, but it’s a film that will resonate both commercially and emotionally because of the story it tells."

This belief is evident in the wide range of characters Amir has portrayed, spanning drama to comedy. But how does he choose roles that challenge and inspire him? "For me, the script has to be compelling as a whole. Before I even consider a role, I ask myself: Is this story riveting? Then, I look at the character—if it's something I haven’t done before or if there’s unfinished business with a type of role I’ve previously explored, that excites me."

However, his breakout role in LIMBO—which earned him critical acclaim—remains his most significant achievement to date. " LIMBO was a breakout role for me. It was my first lead in a British/Scottish-backed film, and the reception was incredible—we earned wide critical acclaim, and the story resonated globally. But beyond awards, what mattered most was how it shed light on the refugee crisis at a time when many were unaware of what was happening in Syria. Being part of such impactful storytelling was truly special." he explains, his excitement unmistakable—a testament to the profound impact this role has had on him and the immense pride he carries with it.

"Playing Omar was one of the hardest and most rewarding roles I’ve done. From learning the oud and the Syrian dialect to cutting weight and isolating myself on an island, the challenges were tough, especially with the harsh weather. But those experiences enhanced my performance. I was fortunate to meet refugees who shared their stories, and the most rewarding part was empowering them through Omar’s role in the story," Amir adds, reflecting on how this experience shaped him as an actor.

For each role, Amir undergoes rigorous preparation, driven by his commitment and dedication to delivering the utmost authenticity to his audience. Whether it’s perfecting a dialect, transforming his physique, or mastering new skills like playing the piano, training in ballet, or boxing, he fully embraces every challenge that comes with his craft. But the biggest obstacle? Time. “Often, you have just a couple of months—sometimes even weeks—to become someone entirely different. That’s where the real challenge lies,” he admits.

These challenges become even more daunting when portraying historical figures—a discussion that naturally unfolds, especially as this issue of our magazine centers around the theme of revival. Amir’s experience serves as a compelling testament to bringing real-life figures to the screen, most notably in his portrayal of a young Mohamed Al-Fayed in Season 5 of The Crown. "For me, the challenge was capturing his cultural impact. Al-Fayed was loved by everyday people in England, not the elite. He actively tried to integrate himself into British culture, and I wanted to approach the role with that understanding. I had an amazing movement coach, Polly, who helped me embody his presence. We studied archival footage—material that isn’t available to the public—to ensure authenticity."

And soon, audiences will see him step into another legendary role: the iconic boxer Naseem Hamed in Giant. Fresh off filming alongside Pierce Brosnan, Amir describes the experience as surreal. "Naseem Hamed was one of my heroes growing up. He had this incredible energy—people compared him to Muhammad Ali. I only had about four or five weeks to prepare, which meant training for hours every day, perfecting his movements, losing weight, and mastering his Sheffield accent. It was a grueling but rewarding process."

"There are so many stories that deserve to be told, so many real-life figures whose journeys are worth bringing to the screen. It’s not necessarily about me playing them, but about seeing their stories told," Amir shares. "For example, I’d love to see a film about Boutros Boutros-Ghali—the first Arab and African UN Secretary-General. Given the global conflicts of his time, his story would make for a gripping drama." His choice catches me off guard—in the best way. Scriptwriters, take note! He also expresses admiration for Egyptian cinema legends. "Ahmed Ramzi was one of my favorite actors from Egypt’s golden age. His charisma was unmatched, and I’d love to see his legacy revived for new generations."

As an actor, Amir feels a responsibility to portray characters and stories in a more positive and diverse light, breaking stereotypes and offering fresh perspectives. But does that responsibility extend beyond acting? The idea of stepping behind the camera certainly excites him. "It’s definitely something I’d love to explore, but right now, my focus is still on acting. I have so much hunger left to play different characters, to dive into stories that excite me. I’m also developing and co-writing some of my own projects, which is keeping me busy," Amir fondly shares. "That being said, I’d love to start small—maybe direct a short film first, test the waters, and then see where it leads. You never know! Filmmaking is a journey, and I’d love to be part of it from multiple perspectives."

"Honestly, it’s a massive privilege to come from such a rich culture with deep history.” Amir proudly expresses. The young actor feels a deep responsibility to honour his roots through cinema- taking on roles that celebrate cultural heritage while advocating for more diverse and nuanced portrayals of Arab characters on screen. "Authenticity is very important to me, and I always make sure that cultural details are portrayed with care” he emphasises. “ When I worked on The Crown, we had an incredible Egyptian cultural expert on set to make sure even the smallest nuances were accurate," he explains.

Born in Cairo and raised in the UK, Amir El Masry seamlessly navigates two distinct cinematic worlds. Whether in his latest Egyptian film, The Stories—where he stars alongside Nelly Karim under the direction of Abu Bakr Shawky—or in 100 Nights of Hero, an upcoming American period fantasy film written and directed by Julia Jackman, Amir continues to bring compelling stories to life, with so much more yet to offer.