Rik Makarem

Last updated

Rik Makarem (born 18 January 1982) is an English actor most famous for playing Nikhil Sharma in Emmerdale .

Contents

Classically trained he is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. He won a Laurence Olivier Bursary in 2004 in association with the Society of London Theatre. [1]

Television

Makarem is best known for head lead series regular role, Nikhil Sharma in Emmerdale for ITV, playing across both dramatic and comedic storylines.

His first appearance was on 11 September 2009. In May 2013, Makarem announced he was leaving the programme, his final episode was on 20 August 2013 when his character left the village for a new life in Toronto shortly after his wife, Genesis Walker was murdered.

In September 2015, after devoting his energy to theatre roles, Makarem confirmed that he was reprising his role as Nikhil in a "powerful" storyline. His character Nikhil returned on 29 October 2015 and departed on 19 February 2016. [2]

On 1 September 2016, Makarem confirmed that he was joining BBC1's Casualty in a lead role, Dr Sebastian Grayling playing into 2017.

Makarem had a starring role, as guest lead in BBC's global smash hit Torchwood: Children of Earth alongside John Barrowman. He has also featured in an episode of ITV's period drama Foyle's War . Other notable television credits include Consent for Channel 4 starring with Michelle Dockery and Daniel Mays, and ITV comedy FM.

In 2022, Makarem joined the cast of the popular BBC One/Showtime/Alibi series We Hunt Together (series 2) in the role of James O'Neil, playing alongside fellow Torchwood co star, Eve Myles. [3]

Film

Makarem starred alongside Andrew Scott, Tobias Menzies and Fiona Glascott in the period feature film The Duel.

Theatre

In November 2013, he starred in the lead role of Toby, opposite James Cartwright in Martin Sherman's Passing By. The production received much critical acclaim for Makarem's and his co-stars performance. [4]

From January to April 2014 Makarem co-starred with David Essex, Andrew Jarvis and Jared Garfield in a touring production of Morris Panych's The Dishwashers. Makarem again, received great reviews alongside his esteemed colleague. [5] What's On Stage went on to say "Makarem beautifully complements his cast mates as he provides a new and different approach to the existential crisis that appears throughout the play."

From January to July 2015 Makarem co-starred with Tina Hobley and Michael McKell, in a nationwide theatre tour and international premiere of Peter James's Dead Simple. Makarem was noted by critics for being "particularly strong" [6] and describing him to "Stun the audience with his role" [7]

Music

Alongside his acting career, Makarem is an established songwriter.

Other

He has also appeared with his family in an episode of All Star Family Fortunes which was first aired in March 2012.

He was part of Team Emmerdale who in August 2011 completed an Extreme Cycle Challenge, cycling 224 miles in less than 24 hours, from the set of Emmerdale to the set of EastEnders, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. [8]

He has also taken part in the Great Manchester Cycle and Ride London as part of the LLRunstoppable team which supports Bloodwise. [9]

Filmography

Films

YearFilmRoleNotes
2006Without WallsWitness (Lead)Short film
2010 The Duel AtchmianovFeature Film
2020Counting ShadowsMatthewsShort film

TV

YearShowRoleNotes
2004C-JAQJake10 part series
2007 Consent ShivDrama
2009 FM James1 episode: Video Killed the Radio Star
Torchwood Dr. Rupesh Patanjali Series 3 Children of Earth: Day One
2009–2013, 2015–2016 Emmerdale Nikhil Sharma Series regular
2010 Foyle's War Simon Rothstein1 episode: The Hide
2016–2017 Casualty Sebastian Grayling (F1 Doctor)Series regular
2022We Hunt Together S2James O'Neil1 Episode (BBC One & Showtime)

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResultRef.
2010 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest MaleNominated [10]
2012Inside Soap AwardsFunniest MaleNominated [11]
2012Inside Soap AwardsSexiest MaleNominated [11]
2013Inside Soap AwardsFunniest MaleNominated [12]

Related Research Articles

Ben Price is a British actor, director and writer. He has played the role of Nick Tilsley in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street and has made four films as a writer/director, the first of which, I'm Sorry To Tell You, was BAFTA-shortlisted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaynor Faye</span> English actress (born 1971)

Gaynor Kay Mellor, better known as Gaynor Faye, is an English actress and writer, best known for playing Judy Mallett in Coronation Street from 1995 until 1999 and Megan Macey in Emmerdale from 2012 until 2019.

Natalie Joy Robb is a Scottish actress and singer. She played the roles of Trish McDonald in the Scottish Television soap opera Take the High Road (1990–1999) and Jude Carlyle in the BBC soap opera Doctors (2001–2004). Since 2009, she has portrayed the role of Moira Barton in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Her other television roles include Dream Team (2000–2001) and The Bill (2004–2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charley Webb</span> English actress (b. 1988)

Charlotte Anne Webb, commonly known as Charley Webb, is an English actress. From 2002 to 2021, she portrayed the role of Debbie Dingle in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. In 2014, she was nominated for Best Female Dramatic Performance at the British Soap Awards.

Samantha Elizabeth Giles is an English actress and author. She is known for portraying the role of Bernice Blackstock in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She had also portrayed Sally Boothe in the ITV drama series Where the Heart Is and Valerie Holden in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. She departed from Emmerdale in 2019 to focus on other creative projects, such as writing her debut novel, Rosemary and the Witches of Pendle Hill, released in August 2020. In April 2021, it was confirmed that she would be returning to Emmerdale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Charnock</span> English actor (b. 1968)

Mark Charnock is an English actor, known for his role in ITV's Emmerdale as Marlon Dingle, a role he has played since 1996. Charnock and Emmerdale co-star Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk, produce a yearly Zombie Film Festival in the Leeds Cottage Road Cinema.

Dominic Adam Brunt is an English actor, director and producer, best known for portraying the role of Paddy Kirk in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. For his role as Paddy, Brunt has been nominated in various categories at the British Soap Awards, Inside Soap Awards and the National Television Awards. As well as acting, Brunt also produces and directs horror films alongside Joanne Mitchell; he also co-hosts an annual zombie film festival with Emmerdale co-star Mark Charnock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Hordley</span> English actor

Jeff Hordley is an English actor, best known for portraying the role of Cain Dingle in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. For his portrayal of Cain, he has been nominated for the British Soap Award for Best Actor at three ceremonies.

Ian Kelsey is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Dave Glover in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, Patrick Spiller in the BBC medical drama Casualty, DI Richard Mayne in the ITV crime drama Blue Murder and Howard Bellamy in the BBC soap opera Doctors. As well as appearing in the BBC drama Down to Earth, he also portrayed the role of Vinny Ashford in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2016 to 2017.

Matthew Wolfenden is an English actor best known for his role as David Metcalfe in the British soap opera Emmerdale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Hardwick</span> English actress

Michelle Hardwick is an English actress. She is known for her roles as hospital receptionist Lizzie Hopkirk in the ITV drama series The Royal and Vanessa Woodfield in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Quinlan</span> English actor (b. 1984)

Anthony Quinlan is an English actor, known for his roles as Gilly Roach in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks and Pete Barton in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

Zoë Henry is an English actress, known for her roles in four soap operas on British television; Emmerdale, Doctors, Coronation Street, and EastEnders. She has also made appearances in various other television series including Grafters and Conviction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominic Power</span> English actor (b. 1973)

Dominic Power is an English actor. Power has portrayed Leon Taylor in the ITV police drama The Bill and Cameron Murray in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

Michael "Mikey" North is an English actor best known for his roles as Helmsley in Waterloo Road and Gary Windass in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street since 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikhil Sharma</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Nikhil Sharma is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, Emmerdale, played by Rik Makarem. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 11 September 2009. Makarem's departure from the soap was announced on 16 May 2013, and Nikhil made his screen exit on 20 August 2013. Makarem reprised the role in September 2015 and Nikhil returned on 29 October 2015. However, it was confirmed that his return would only be temporary and he departed on 19 February 2016.

Lorna Laidlaw is an English actress. She has appeared on television as Mrs Tembe in the BBC medical soap opera Doctors and Aggie Bailey in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Laidlaw won the Royal Television Society award for Best Actress and Best Daytime Star at the Inside Soap Awards for her role in Doctors.

Danny Walters is an English actor, known for his roles as Tiger Dyke in the ITV sitcom Benidorm and Keanu Taylor in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davood Ghadami</span> English actor (b. 1982)

Davood Ghadami is an English actor. Following his appearances in Taggart in 2010, he appeared in the BBC medical programmes Doctors and Casualty in recurring roles. In 2014, he began portraying the role of Kush Kazemi in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role he stayed in until 2021 when the character was killed off. Following Ghadami's departure from EastEnders, it was announced that he had joined the cast of the BBC medical drama Holby City as Eli Ebrahimi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faye Brookes</span> English actress (born 1987)

Faye Alicia Brookes is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Kate Connor on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. In 2021, she competed in the thirteenth series of Dancing on Ice, where she finished in second place.

References

  1. "Rik Makarem". Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  2. "Nikhil actor Rik Makarem on Emmerdale exit, new projects and his unusual habit". Metro. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  3. Darvill, Josh (14 March 2022). "We Hunt Together start date and cast for series 2 on Alibi". TellyMix. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  4. "Passing By | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  5. "The Dishwashers (Birmingham Repertory Theatre) | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  6. Norman, Harriet (28 January 2015). "Review: 'Dead Simple' at Norwich Theatre Royal". Concrete. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  7. Davidson, Lisa. "Theatre Review: Dead Simple - Theatre Royal, Glasgow ✭✭✭✭". Backstage Pass. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. "'Emmerdale' to 'EastEnders' cycle challenge completed: In Pictures". Digital Spy. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  9. Thornton, Lucy (12 April 2012). "Doing the ride thing for charity: Join Emmerdale stars on the Daily Mirror charity cycle". mirror. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  10. Wightman, Catriona (13 July 2010). "In full: Inside Soap Awards 2010 nominees". Digital Spy .
  11. 1 2 Kilkelly, Daniel (19 July 2012). "Inside Soap Awards 2012 - longlist nominees in full". Digital Spy . Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  12. Dainty, Sophie (22 July 2013). "Inside Soap Awards 2013 - longlist nominees in full". Digital Spy . Retrieved 2 August 2013.