Zahra Ahmadi, known for her role in EastEnders, is set to star in ITV's new drama Betrayal. The series, led by Endeavour's Shaun Evans, explores trust and secrecy within MI5. Ahmadi plays Mehreen Askari-Evans, an intelligence operative who becomes an unexpected confidante to Evans's character, John Hughes.
Ahmadi first rose to fame as the original Shabnam Masood in EastEnders from 2007 to 2008. She admitted that leaving the soap was a tough decision, but she wanted to explore other roles. 'I've made the tough decision to leave as I'm still young and I want to try other roles,' she said at the time, adding that the door was left open for her return.
After EastEnders, Ahmadi appeared in Count Arthur Strong, Innocent, and The Bay. She also guest-starred in Death in Paradise in 2018, playing murder victim Daisy Anderson. However, she recalled a 'hard time' filming in Guadeloupe due to her fear of insects. On one occasion, production halted after a venomous centipede crawled onto her leg. 'I had a dress on, and 10 people descended on me, shaking it out,' she told Sunday Brunch.
Ahmadi later secured a leading role in Beyond Paradise, the spin-off of Death in Paradise. Born in 1982 in Plymouth with Persian heritage, she continues to build an impressive career on screen.
