In the 2026 release of feature film Apnas, Nohail Mohammed played Ozy Masood for his most recent screen project, and in Aeman Ali Afzal and Ali Afzal’s new short film Caught Up, Nohail plays Qasim, with the short film based on true events. Nohail filmed for @Lucky as Will opposite Olivia Lily, Maximilian Marcham and Jaime Adler (with the film never released), and he played guest character Amir Bashir for an episode of Casualty. Further screen projects for Nohail include starring as co-lead character Kamal in short film Found My Way, being part of the Manchester City x Puma x EA Sports FC commercial last year, and across the first three series of Ackley Bridge, Nohail played Riz for his first major screen appearance. On stage, Nohail was part of The Dreams I Had – the one-night-only celebration of Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar at St George’s Hall last year. We found out from Nohail about playing Ozy Masood in feature film Apnas, working on short film Caught Up and his time as Riz in Ackley Bridge.

Most recently on screen, you could be seen playing Ozy Masood in this year’s feature film Apnas; can you tell us about the film and your character?

Apnas is a gritty northern movie exploring the themes of family, religion, loyalty and much more. The film is about the right and wrong choices we make in the environments we can be placed in, with the end message showing us how it’s never too late to turn our life around for the better. I had the pleasure of playing Ozy Masood, a Bradford drug dealer whose loyalty lies with his family’s trade.

Was there anything that drew you to Apnas and what was it like taking on the role of Ozy?

What drew me to Apnas was the message behind it and how real the film was. Growing up in Bradford myself, I’ve come across many people who embody the message of Apnas: people trying to do right by their families, people trying to impress the crowd and people trying to just get through the day being the best versions of themselves. At the heart of it all? Religion.

What drew me to the character Ozy was him being a Bradford lad. I saw a story to be told and a character which I hadn’t had the pleasure of playing really up until Apnas came around.

How was it filming for Aeman Ali Afzal and Ali Afzal’s new short film Caught Up as Qasim and being involved with a project based on true events?

Off the bat, filming with Aeman and Ali was wholesome. You really felt the family atmosphere, and a project where everyone had a part to play. They were both amazing people with hearts of gold, just like everyone else involved in the project.

Having the privilege to play a real character based on true events was great, but quite tough. Hearing how these stories were more common than you thought really put some importance on the work we were doing. Working closely with the police (in particular, my man Rick!) really helped with the stakes that are involved in the characters’ lives.

What was it like on set of the feature film @Lucky, in which you play Will opposite Olivia Lily, Maximillian Marcham and Jaime Adler, and what did you enjoy about the film?

This was quite possibly one of my favourite projects to ever be a part of, based on the entire fact that I overcame a fear of cliff jumping. It’s a shame the movie never got released, but you can see my jump in the trailer 😉

This was one of my first indie projects, where we literally had no more than five people involved in the crew – and that was on a good day. It made it hectic and stressful, but the vibes were so high, and the time away in Cornwall was amazing. The views were sensational.

Working with Olivia, Max and Jaime was great too. They were all full of energy and really made the time on set fly by. I hope they’re all doing well.

You guest-starred as Amir Bashar in Casualty; how was it joining the cast for an episode and what was your storyline like to work on?

This was quite a strange time in filming for me, as I landed this role through COVID from my self-tape. I remember getting on set and being on a large-scale soap set for the very first time, feeling so lost – it was massive!

The story was a very bloody one! I got told by the producer at the time that my scene was going to be the bloodiest scene in the season, and my response was to bring it on.

It was a fun scene to film. I was a cocky, arrogant cougar-lover who’d had a major nosebleed. With it being COVID, we faced the challenges of the doctors not coming to my bedside, to help keep a distance!

How was it starring as co-lead character Kamal in the short film Round My Way and how would you describe Kamal?

I love anything to do with Bradford. I’m a proud Bradfordian. Round My Way was a spoken-word short film based in Bradford about the different lives you come across.

Spoken word was never really my thing, but I believe I gave it a good go!

Do you remember what it was like finding out you’d booked Ackley Bridge and what do you feel you learnt from having the show as your first major appearance on screen?

This was one of the most insane feelings I’ve ever had. My whole life changed after that call, and I’m forever grateful for the career it paved for me.

It’s a job that many actors work years to achieve, and for me to have the opportunity to become an actor with no experience, from street casting, was one I didn’t take lightly.

Being on a professional set taught me much more than just acting. It was a way for me to grow up into the professional world. Memories, lifelong friends and a new career – I couldn’t thank the people of Ackley Bridge any more.

What was it like getting into character as Riz throughout the first three series, and what do you miss most about filming?

See, this was the great thing about playing Riz. I was already in sixth form myself and continuing with my studies, so playing a character that was also in sixth form really made it feel natural.

I feel like sometimes I wasn’t acting, and the majority of the time I was just being myself in a different uniform.

I miss the family unit we created on set. Everyone had such an important role, and it stretched further than just turning up to work. I’ve created friends for life off that show who I still see or speak to regularly.

Were there any scenes you found particularly memorable to film in Ackley Bridge, and what are some of your favourite memories from playing Riz and working with the rest of the cast?

I believe the rugby scenes were some of my most memorable scenes, just due to them being a giant piss-about! It just felt like a really long PE lesson, which I loved.

They were difficult scenes to film but that’s what made them memorable – the cold weather, the long days and the constant use of hand warmers.

I think my favourite memories of playing Riz and working with the rest of the cast are just how much fun we had on and off set. We were all just a group of friends messing about and enjoying our time in front of the camera.

Behind the camera, we were playing pranks, going for food and just generally making memories I’ll keep for life.

How did you find the experience working on the Manchester City x Puma x EA Sports FC commercial last year?

As a Liverpool fan, this one hurt, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with some of the biggest brands in football. Growing up, all I did was play FIFA, so to be able to do a commercial with them alongside some of the biggest Premier League players just felt like such a surreal moment.

The experience was amazing. The set was something that I’d never seen before, and to be the face of the whole commercial was a big privilege. I’m still waiting for the opportunity to do some work with Liverpool 😉

On stage, you were part of The Dreams I Had – the 2025 one-night-only celebration of Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar at St George’s Hall, can you tell us about this?

Considering this was my first time on stage, it was definitely a thrilling one to be a part of. To do some work in collaboration with Bradford City of Culture on some of Andrea Dunbar’s work was something I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to do.

Selling out an auditorium of 1500 people was definitely something which got the adrenaline going. Another special moment of this experience was sharing the stage with a long-time friend of mine, Sam Bottomley. We were both so nervous, but I’d certainly say we both did a brilliant job.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

In all honesty, I never thought this would be a career I’d be doing. I was always into sport and design growing up, and had the plans of becoming either a physiotherapist or an architect.

I’d say I’ve always had a love for movies and series. My earliest memories are watching Fast & Furious and knowing all the lines from the original!

My first experience of acting came when I was 14, doing an audition for a movie called The Selfish Giant. I turned up and they were looking for a caucasian male – it’s safe to say I didn’t get the role.

The opportunity then came to be a part of Ackley Bridge through street casting. After hard work and a few rounds of auditioning, I managed to land the role of Riz. Playing Riz on Ackley Bridge is where my love for acting blossomed.

Have you been given any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you?

On one of my first few days of Ackley Bridge, I sat with Jo Joyner and Paul Nicholls waiting for the crew to set up. This was my first advice talk I had with the veteran actors on set.

I’ll always remember and pass on the advice they gave me. They said: “Whenever you do an audition, go and smash it. The moment you leave the room, forget about it. If it comes back, it comes back; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter because you forgot about it!”.

They were so right. As an actor, it’s so hard not to get attached to certain jobs you see yourself in, but the biggest thing is that if it’s meant for you, it’ll come to you, and if it’s not, it’ll pass you.

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?

I never get how people can have a favourite movie – I have too many!

As mentioned above, Fast & Furious has always been a franchise I’ve loved to watch. Growing up, I loved the action and the cars. They definitely hit the niche with the first few movies. I think now they’re trying to make a new Avengers!

In terms of series, I do love a gangster series: Power, Gangs of London, Breaking Bad and Snowfall, to name a few.

I do have to say, my guilty pleasures are rom-coms…

How do you like to spend your time away from acting?

I actually do a few things outside of acting. I’ve been a barber since I was 15, and I’m currently starting a business alongside acting and creating a luxury barbershop in Bradford called NO.99 STUDIOS.

Other than this, I do content creating across all social media, I’m a regular gym-goer, I love football and I’m actually a qualified sports therapist too!

It’s fair to say I like to keep myself busy. I don’t really have a lot of time to myself, but I like it this way.

Do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about, and what are you hoping the next few months bring for your career?

Currently, as of now, I don’t have any projects coming up. I’m currently in the auditioning process and grinding out where I can.

In the next few months, I’m hoping for more opportunities to show my acting ability and get myself stuck into another project.

Acting is one of the most exciting and fun jobs in the world when you’re on a job. However, when you’re not on a job, it’s good to keep yourself busy, as it can be really difficult sometimes – but it’s all part of the game.

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