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Canada May Calamawy is an Egyptian-Palestinian actress widely recognized for her roles in critically acclaimed television series and major film productions, including Marvel's 'Moon Knight'. Her career showcases a progression from independent films to global franchises.
May Calamawy promoted a Palestinian film's North American release, featuring a collection that included embroidered couture gowns created in collaboration with Art of Heritage, a Saudi organization dedicated to preserving traditional crafts.
Featured on the final cover of the year for Madame Arabia, which aimed to highlight the Egyptian actor. She was interviewed about being the first Arab superhero and tackling stereotypes.
Actresses Dina Shihabi and May Calamawy shared intensely personal tributes to each other on the Cartier LOVE x Harper's Bazaar Arabia set in Paris.
May Calamawy was born on October 28, 1986, in Bahrain, to an Egyptian father and a Palestinian-Jordanian mother. She spent her early years living in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United States, providing her with a multicultural upbringing. Demonstrating an early interest in acting, Calamawy pursued formal education in the field, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from Emerson College. She further honed her craft by studying at the William Esper Studio in New York City, solidifying her foundation in acting techniques.
Calamawy’s career began with roles in independent films and short features, where she was initially credited as May El Calamawy. Her early work includes the feature film ‘Thursday’ (2006) and Tobe Hooper’s horror film ‘Djinn’ (2013), an early production in the United Arab Emirates. A significant turning point in her career came with her recurring role as Dena Hassan in the Hulu comedy-drama series ‘Ramy’ (2019-2022). This role brought her wider recognition and involved integrating a personal aspect of her life, alopecia areata, into her character’s storyline, fostering a sense of authenticity and connection for audiences. In 2020, her voice work expanded to video games, portraying Ellie Malik in ‘NBA 2K21′.
Her most prominent role to date is Layla El-Faouly, who later becomes the Scarlet Scarab, in Marvel Studios’ Disney+ miniseries ‘Moon Knight’ (2022). This role marked a historic milestone, establishing her as the first Egyptian and Arab superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, significantly elevating her international profile. She has since continued to take on diverse projects, including the comedy film ‘Together Together’ (2021), a voice role in the animated series ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’ (2023), and appeared in Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II’ (2024). Upcoming projects include ‘The Actor’ (2025) and Lee Cronin’s ‘The Mummy’ (2026), showcasing her continuous engagement in both film and television across various genres.
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