Former EastEnders star Hamish Patel has embarked on a remarkable journey from the familiar streets of Walford to sharing the screen with some of HollywoodIt’s the elite.

Originally from Cambridgeshire, Patel cut his teeth in school plays, leading his teachers to encourage him to join a local theater group. On a pivotal day when he was just 16 and receiving his GCSE results, Patel received a call that would change his life: he auditioned for a new role in EastEnders.

He landed the role and began portraying Tamwar Masood in October 2007, a character known for his academic pursuits but who struggled to deal with academic disappointments, manage the family business, navigate his marriage to Afia and to put up with the interference of her domineering mother Zainab (played by Nina). Ouadie).

Tamwar’s nuptials were so popular that they won Best Wedding at the 2011 Inside Soap Awards.

In 2016, Patel decided to bid farewell to Albert Square, feeling the lure of bigger opportunities.

Reflecting on his time on the BBC soap opera, he spoke about his struggles with self-image during his formative years, reports the star of the day.

In an interview with GQ magazine, he shared, “When you’re a teenager and you have acne, it’s the worst thing in the world. But when you have acne in front of millions of people every week , EastEndersIt’s a whole different thing.”

“It was hard. You just feel a little defective because you’re surrounded by actors. Everyone has a place, but I just felt the pressure.”

But Patel’s career trajectory has seen a stratospheric rise since those insecure days. After leaving EastEndershis next move was to join the cast of the Channel 4 sitcom created by Jo Brand, Damned in 2016.

Yet it was his starring role in the film Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle, that cemented him as a leading man.

In this high-concept romantic comedy, Patel plays a musician who, after a bicycle accident, discovers that he is the only person on Earth who remembers the Beatles, propelling him to fame by performing their songs.

Now 34 years old and based in Los Angeles, the actor is enjoying growing popularity by stringing together memorable roles one after the other.

Although he has made a name for himself, Patel’s humble beginnings are not forgotten by soap lovers.

His appearance in the Netflix juggernaut Don’t look up next Hollywood Star Jennifer Lawrence sent shock waves among fans.

A surprised viewer remarked at the time: “Tamwar de EastEnders in Don’t look for it. I really like seeing British people Hollywood“.

In addition to his impressive body of work, Patel graced the screen in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet and earned a 2022 Emmy nomination for his performance in the HBO miniseries Station Eleven.

Depicting a post-apocalyptic world, the series revolves around a group of survivors who travel as interpreters.

Himesh Patel is now at the helm of HBO’s latest comedy sensation, The Franchise, a satirical take on the chaotic world of filming blockbuster movies in Tinseltown.

The show, which touts the creative genius of The Thick of It’s Armando Iannucci, also features the talents of Jessica Hynes and Richard E. Grant.

Not content with just one hit, Patel also starred opposite Joseph Gordon Levitt and Lily James in the film Greedy People, cementing his status as a film to watch.

In an intimate conversation with Midday India, Patel took a trip down memory lane, from his humble beginnings. EastEnders mingling with the crème de la crème of the theater world.

Reflecting on his journey, he said: “It’s been five years since Yesterday came out. It’s been a real turning point and I’m very proud of the kind of career I’ve built through it so far and I’m very happy. proud of where I started.”

He went on to highlight the rarity of long-term soap roles transitioning into wider success, and argued for the recognition of British soap operas as fertile ground for nurturing talent.

Patel said: “I think it’s still rare for someone to stay on a soap opera for so long in the UK and then manage to make it through and I can only speak on behalf of the British industry, but so that we can really see this part of our industry as a talent pool because I think it is.

Acknowledging the achievements of other soap alumni, including Nathalie Emmanuel, who went from Hollyoaks to starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s new film, Patel highlighted the legitimacy of soaps as a starting point for actors, particularly those who do not have access to traditional drama schools.

He concluded: “There’s myself, Nathalie Emmanuel, who is a wonderful actress and had just starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s new film. She started in Hollyoaks, so it’s a viable journey for people to start there.

“We have a wonderful tradition in the UK of drama schools and that’s great, but I think sometimes we don’t think enough about other avenues and I’m proud of that. an example.”

The franchise is broadcast on Sky and Now TV.