Yusra Warsama has an interesting background even before joining Netflix Deliver me.
In the Swedish series, Warsama brings Billy’s mother Leila back to life. When Billy was shot by an unknown assailant, leaving him brain dead, Leila expressed her concern for her son’s fate and the safety of her family in the midst of a raging gang war in a small town.
Deliver me premieres on Netflix on April 24.
4 things you need to know about Deliver Me’s Yusra Warsama
Yusra Warsama studied criminology before discovering acting
Yusra Warsama, 38, was not interested in acting as she first studied criminology and sociology.
Speaking to The Observer Culture in April 2015, Warsama admitted that he had always been interested in theatre, noting his experience at Manchester’s Contact Theater under director John McGrath:
“I became an artist so I wouldn’t communicate my identity or my religion. I did a degree in criminology and sociology and had always written and had an interest in theatre. I went to the Contact Theater in Manchester and John McGrath, the director, gave us a space to try out there.”
Warsama (via Herald Scotland May 2015) was born in the United Arab Emirates to an Islamic Somali family on July 9, 1985. The actor’s parents moved from Abu Dhabi to start over in Manchester, UK.
The actor’s Somali roots inspired him to also take part in writing and use his talents for it “show the good side” about the Somali and Muslim population and let the majority know all about it:
“I worked as a professional actor, which I still do, but writing was something I enjoyed. I’ve never felt a responsibility to write about British Muslims. But I think I want to show the good side of Somalis and the Muslim population, because obviously the world doesn’t see us that way.”
Yusra has written and directed many plays
As for his passion for theatre, Deliver meYusra Warsama noted in the same interview with The Observer Culture that she practiced it because she simply “I wanted to talk to people.”
“I think I went on stage because I genuinely wanted to speak to people. I’d rather do it now in a play than in spoken word pieces. I find the ego part of it a little uncomfortable in poetry slams or series. Whatever, but at its best performance poetry is, ‘What if?’ It’s designed to open conversation.”
From 2015 to 2023, the actor has an impressive list of theater credits as a writer and director.
Warsama worked as a director of several plays, e.g Incognito (2021) and Bernarda Alba’s house (2017).
As a writer, Warsama wrote scripts My white best friend (2021) and Evening tales (2015).
In 2023, the actor/writer/producer recently wrote and produced a stage play called About All the Beautiful Things in the Worldwhich depicts the story of a mother trying to protect her daughters from a changing world.
Yusra was excited to join the Stephen King universe
Perhaps Yusra Wasrama’s most recognizable role is that of Dr. Nadia Howlwadaag in the Hulu movie Castle Rockseries featuring characters, settings, and stories inspired by stories created by Stephen King.
In the series, Dr. Nadia Howlwadaag is the medical director of a lonely hospital on the grounds of Jerusalem.
Before the start of Season 2, Wasrama spoke to The Knockturnal in October 2019 about joining the Stephen King Multiverse, saying: “It’s always good to be a part of something so big:”
The Knockturnal: “And what was it like to be apart of Stephen King’s multiverse?”
Warsama: “Exciting? It’s massive. So it’s always good to be apart of something that big and hopefully add to it in a good way and kind of support the ongoing multiverse and the narrative that lives in it. Especially because our characters are new characters to this world; they’re not Stephen King’s characters written by themselves, yes, really exciting and really humbling.”
The actress also revealed her mentality after landing the role of Dr. Nadia in the Hulu series:
Knockturnal: “And what was it like landing the role when you found out – what was your first reaction?”
Warsama: “Learn your lines, go to school, get the work done. (laughs) It was such a mentality for me to go into a project like this.
Except for Castle Rock and Deliver meWarsama’s other notable merits include playing Nafula Our girlEnter Lauren Dalby Last days on Marsand Bathsheba within Gallows Pole.
Yusra will next act in Brides
Yusra Warsama’s next significant role is that of Kidist in the film Brides. Not much is known about the actor’s role in the film.
Directed by Nadia Fall, Brides tells the story of two runaway girls who confront their pasts and still wonder what’s going on in their lives as they plan to travel to Syria.
Directed by Ebada Hassan and Saffiya Ingar Brides‘ was shown together with Warsama.
Brides no release date yet.
How to watch Yusra Warsama online
For more updates on Yusra Warsama, fans can follow her on Instagram (@yusra_warsama).
All episodes Deliver me stream on Netflix.
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