Rishi Nair is a British actor who has become a familiar face on British television over the past decade. Known for his long-running role on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, he has recently stepped into a leading part in the ITV detective drama Grantchester. This article answers the most common questions about his life, career, and the rumors surrounding him.

Who is Rishi Nair? Age, Nationality, and Family Background

Full Name
Rishi Kumar Nair
Date of Birth
22 January 1991
Nationality
British
Known For
Hollyoaks (Sami Maalik), Grantchester (Reverend Alphy Kottaram)

  • Rishi Nair rose to prominence playing Sami Maalik on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 2017 to 2021.
  • He currently stars as Reverend Alphy Kottaram in the ITV detective drama Grantchester (Season 9 onward).
  • The kidney transplant storyline on Hollyoaks was fictional — it happened to his character Sami Maalik, not to him in real life.
  • Rishi Nair maintains an active Instagram presence and is represented by The Artists Partnership.
Category Details
Born 22 January 1991, Ealing, London, England
Occupation Actor, Producer
Years Active 2014–present
Notable Roles Sami Maalik (Hollyoaks), Reverend Alphy Kottaram (Grantchester)
Height Not publicly listed
Partner Not publicly confirmed

How old is Rishi Nair?

Rishi Nair was born on 22 January 1991 in Ealing, London, England. As of 2026, he is 35 years old. His full birth name is Rishi Kumar Nair, and he holds British nationality.

What is Rishi Nair’s nationality and where are his parents from?

Rishi Nair is British. He was born and raised in Ealing, London, and grew up in a family of Indian heritage. Some profiles describe his background as Hindu. However, the names and specific nationalities of his parents are not widely documented in reliable sources. One unverified reference mentions a possible parent named Radha Krishan Nair, but this has not been confirmed by any established biography.

Does Rishi Nair have a partner?

Rishi Nair keeps his private life largely out of the public eye. Some entertainment profiles report that he is engaged to a long-time partner named Natali — with one source identifying her as Natali Servat — and that the engagement was public by 2024. However, Wikipedia, IMDb, and his official agency profile do not list a spouse or partner, so the details remain unconfirmed at an authoritative level.

Rishi Nair’s Acting Career: From Hollyoaks to Grantchester

Career Milestone

Rishi Nair transitioned from a recurring role in a long-running soap opera to a lead role in a prestigious ITV drama — a significant career advancement. His executive producer credit for Grantchester Season 11 also signals growing influence behind the camera.

What role did Rishi Nair play in Hollyoaks?

Rishi Nair played Sami Maalik on Hollyoaks from 2017 to 2021. Sami was a prominent character who arrived in the village as a lawyer and became involved in several major storylines, including a dramatic kidney transplant plot. That storyline, which involved Sami needing and receiving a kidney, was entirely fictional and played out on screen. There is no evidence that Rishi Nair himself experienced a kidney transplant. For more on the soap’s history, see our Hollyoaks cast history guide.

What is Rishi Nair’s role in Grantchester?

Rishi Nair joined the cast of Grantchester in Season 9 (2024) as Reverend Alphy Kottaram, a new vicar who takes over the parish following the departure of previous lead characters. His role expanded in Season 10 and he is credited as an executive producer for Season 11, which is expected to air in 2026. You can review the full ensemble on the Grantchester cast page.

What is Rishi Nair’s IMDb profile?

Rishi Nair’s IMDb page lists his filmography, which includes Hollyoaks, Grantchester, Count Abdulla, Whitstable Pearl, and earlier minor roles going back to 2014.

Did Rishi Nair Really Have a Kidney Transplant?

This question arises from a specific plotline on Hollyoaks. In the soap, Rishi Nair’s character Sami Maalik was diagnosed with kidney failure and received a transplant on screen. No credible source — including his Wikipedia page, IMDb, or his agency profile — suggests that Rishi Nair himself underwent a kidney transplant in real life. The confusion appears to stem from viewers conflating a fictional storyline with the actor’s personal health.

Common Misconception

The kidney transplant storyline was fictional, occurring on-screen for his Hollyoaks character Sami Maalik. There is no evidence Rishi Nair personally had a kidney transplant.

Rishi Nair Official Profiles: Wikipedia and IMDb

The most reliable and frequently updated sources of biographical information for Rishi Nair are Wikipedia and IMDb. His Wikipedia page covers his birth date, early life, career timeline, and filmography. His IMDb profile provides a complete list of his acting credits, spanning Grantchester back to his earliest roles in 2014. Both sources are updated regularly to reflect his current work.

Career Milestones: A Timeline

  1. 1991 — Born in Ealing, London, England.
  2. 2014 — First credited acting role (a minor part in Grantchester).
  3. 2017 — Cast as Sami Maalik in Hollyoaks.
  4. 2021 — Departed Hollyoaks after four years.
  5. 2024 — Returned to television as Reverend Alphy Kottaram in Grantchester Season 9.
  6. 2025 — Named executive producer for Grantchester Season 11.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
He is a British actor born 22 January 1991 in Ealing, London. The names and occupations of his parents are not documented in reliable sources.
He played Sami Maalik on Hollyoaks (2017–2021) and now plays Reverend Alphy Kottaram on Grantchester (2024–present). His relationship status is not officially confirmed; reports of an engagement to Natali Servat are unverified by major biographical sources.
His kidney transplant storyline was fictional — it happened to his character, not to him. Specific details about his Indian family heritage and upbringing are limited in the public domain.

Background and Career Context

Rishi Nair’s career trajectory reflects a notable shift from daytime soap opera to primetime period drama. His role as Sami Maalik on Hollyoaks gave him steady exposure over four years and allowed him to handle complex, socially relevant storylines. Moving to Grantchester placed him in a critically acclaimed series with a loyal audience, and his promotion to executive producer for Season 11 suggests he is gaining influence in production as well as performance. For a list of notable British actors with similar career arcs, that page provides useful context.

Sources and Further Reading

The following sources were used to verify the facts in this article:

No direct quotes from interviews were available in the provided research materials; if they become available from reputable entertainment news outlets, they would be added here.

What’s Next for Rishi Nair?

Rishi Nair continues as a lead in Grantchester for Season 10 and beyond. His role as executive producer on Season 11 hints at potential expansion into production. Given his rising profile, new projects after his Grantchester contract are likely. You can follow his updates on his Instagram for the latest news.