British-Egyptian actor Fady El Sayed has built an impressive international career, starring in acclaimed television series and films while maintaining a strong connection to his Egyptian roots. Now back in Egypt, the actor joins NileFM's Real Talk with Mickey and Nadine to discuss his career, recent projects, and what lies ahead. Best known for his performances in &ldquo;Doctor Who spin-off Class,&rdquo; &ldquo;Gangs of London,&rdquo; &ldquo;My Brother the Devil,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Sixteen,&rdquo; El Sayed is also making his mark in Egyptian drama alongside Yasser Galal in &ldquo;Lel Adala Wagh Akhar.&rdquo; During the interview, he reflects on his journey to acting, the challenges of rejection, working in Egypt, and the exciting projects still to come. His breakout performance as Mo in &ldquo;My Brother the Devil&rdquo; earned him a BFI Award nomination for Best Newcomer, launching a career that has continued to grow across both British and international productions. From Football Dreams to Acting Although acting eventually became his profession, El Sayed revealed that football was his first passion. "I'd always dreamed of becoming a footballer. I actually played semi-professionally." Growing up in London, football consumed much of his childhood, but his curiosity about film and television gradually led him in a different direction. "I used to watch films and think, 'I feel like I can do that,'" he recalled. His interest grew after taking part in school productions, including Grease and Guys and Dolls. Encouraged by classmates, he joined a local drama school, where an attached talent agency quickly spotted his potential. "My mum supported me through drama school, and after only a few months they signed me to the agency." Soon after, he landed his first professional audition. Landing His First Audition Remarkably, El Sayed's first-ever audition earned him a role in the Hollywood blockbuster World War Z alongside Brad Pitt. "It was my first audition, and because I was so young, my dad came with me. Looking back, it's definitely a flex." That opportunity confirmed he had chosen the right career path. Returning to Egypt Feels Like Coming Home While El Sayed has spent most of his life in the UK, Egypt has always remained close to his heart. "Being here on NileFM has made me nostalgic. I have so much love for Egypt." He explained that his parents made sure he and his siblings stayed connected to their roots by speaking Arabic at home and watching Egyptian television together while growing up in London. Now, working in Egypt's television industry feels like a full-circle moment. The Advice That Changed His Career One piece of advice has stayed with El Sayed throughout every role he's taken. "Less is more." He recalled a director encouraging him to stop trying so hard to perform. "She told me, 'The best actors don't look like they're acting.' That really stayed with me. Every performance now is about stripping everything back and keeping it as natural as possible." Rejection Is Part of the Journey Despite his success, El Sayed admitted rejection remains one of the hardest realities of acting. "I've had countless rejections," he said. "After my first film and award nomination, I thought everything would just keep getting bigger. It didn't." One of the most painful moments of his career came when he was cast in what he believed would be his dream project, a role connected to Black Adam during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everything had been approved, including his passport application and visa process, before circumstances beyond his control changed everything. "Two days before I was supposed to fly, my agent called and said they had to cast someone from America because the US Embassy wasn't processing visas." The news left him devastated. "I felt like my dream had been taken away." The disappointment affected him so deeply that he struggled to audition for weeks. However, shortly afterward, an opportunity arrived that reminded him why perseverance matters. An audition for Gangs of London landed in his inbox, eventually leading to one of the most significant roles of his career. Choosing Roles That Matter As his career has evolved, El Sayed says he has become increasingly selective about the characters he portrays. "In the beginning, you take the opportunities you can get," he explained. Now, however, he prefers roles that challenge stereotypes and allow him to tell meaningful stories instead of repeating familiar character types. Working in the UK vs. Egypt Having worked extensively in both countries, El Sayed appreciates the professionalism of British productions but believes Egyptian sets offer something unique. "The call sheets in the UK are extremely precise," he laughed. But beyond the schedules, he says Egyptian productions have a warmth that's difficult to replicate. "It feels more like a family." He also praised Egyptian filmmakers, singling out director Zena AbdelBaky among the best directors he has worked with in &ldquo;Walad Bent Shayeb.&rdquo; "Egypt has always been incredible when it comes to cinema and filmmaking." Genres He Still Wants to Explore Although his r&eacute;sum&eacute; already includes drama, action, and crime, El Sayed says there are still genres he'd love to experience. "I'd love to do science fiction," he said. "And I'd love to do a romantic comedy. I've never done one before." What's Next? Among the projects he's most excited about is the upcoming series &ldquo;The Wanted Man,&rdquo; starring Hugh Laurie. "I finished ADR before coming to Egypt, so we're close to the end of post-production," he revealed. Calling it one of the projects he's proudest of, El Sayed says he's excited for audiences to finally see what's next in his career. With international productions, Egyptian television, and new genres still on his wish list, the British-Egyptian actor continues to build a career that bridges two worlds while staying true to his roots.
Photo Credit: Fady El Sayed's official page&nbsp;
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