The Authentic Talent of Actor and Filmmaker Bijan Daneshmand
It is such a pleasant surprise to see someone’s show reel who is truly a gifted actor. Bijan Daneshmand is one of those rare talents whose exceptional work make a film compelling. He is the real thing. He not only plays a role, but he becomes the character. He somehow lives and breathes that persona whether it’s on stage or on a movie set. It’s as though he becomes magically transformed into someone else, right before our eyes. He is totally believable in every project that he is a part of.
Bijan is a UK citizen and he was born in Tehran, Iran. He earned a Bachelor’s degree at Kings College London and later on received his MFA at Chelsea College of Art. He was at Prep school in England from age 10, followed by Eastbourne College, Sussex. He trained for acting at the London Centre of Theatre Studies and Phillippe Gaulier Paris. He is based in London, and speaks fluent English, French and Persian, and he can read Arabic.
He is usually cast as strong characters between the ages of 45 and 60 years old. He is extremely effective and totally believable when portraying leaders, rulers, ministers, high priests, and heads of organizations. He has also been in several Middle Eastern productions playing leading roles. Bijan’s most recent work sees him playing the male leading role, Ali Reza, in writer, producer and director Maryam Keshavarz’s feature length motion picture The Persian Version. The film premiered at Sundance in January in the US Dramatic Section.
It was hugely popular and took home the Best Screenplay prize along with the Audience Award. The film tells the story of how an Iranian-American Leila played by Layla Mohammadi strives to find a balance and embrace her two opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the labels society is so quick to put upon her. Bijan’s scenes with Niousha Noor, playing the role of his young wife, Shireen, were so authentic and moving, the entire audience at Sundance were moved to tears. His performance in the film is incredible, nuanced, and powerful. The Persian Version will be released in September 2023 by Sony Pictures Classics.
Last year, Bijan was in two MBC TV series projects: Flight 422, directed by Ashley Pearce, and Embassy 87, directed by Colin Teague. He also acted as Rasoul Shahin in the Netflix show The Diplomat, directed by Simon Cellan Jones, released late April 2023 and is currently doing very well.
Other work include: House of The Dragon, Tehran, Suspicion, Deep State, Under The Shadow, The Night Manager, Body of Lies, Munich, Green Zone, Infidel and Spooks, to name a few. Bijan is at the top of his game and he has worked with some famous directors including, Steven Spielberg, Susanne Bier and Ridley Scott, among others.
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