Kayvan Novak

Born in London, England, in 1978 to Iranian parents, Kayvan Novak developed an early interest in performance, leading him to study at Highgate School, the Fine Arts College, and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He began his career with minor roles in British television series such as “Family Affairs,” “Holby City,” and “Spooks.” His breakthrough came in 2005 when he co-created “Fonejacker” with Ed Tracy, a prank call comedy show for Channel 4. This project gained significant recognition, leading to a Christmas special and a full series, and earned him a BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy (Programme or Series) in 2008.

Novak continued to build on his comedic success with the spin-off series “Facejacker” (2010–2012), where he embodied various characters in disguise, including popular figures like Terry Tibbs. His versatile acting talents also extended to film, notably portraying Waj in the critically acclaimed 2010 comedy “Four Lions,” a role for which he received the Best Comedy Performance in a British Film at the British Comedy Awards. He also appeared in the Academy Award-winning film “Syriana” in 2005, demonstrating his range across dramatic and comedic genres.

His career further expanded with significant voice acting roles, including Brains in the revived “Thunderbirds Are Go” (2015–2020) and a starring role as Nandor the Relentless in the horror-comedy mockumentary series “What We Do in the Shadows” (2019–2024), which brought him international acclaim. He also voiced Fabian Kingsworth in “Archer” (2020–2023) and Roger Dearly in Disney’s “Cruella” (2021). Novak’s ability to create memorable characters, both visually and vocally, has established him as a prominent figure in British and international entertainment.