Biography
Dhafer L'Abidine is a seasoned television actor and film director boasting an extensive repertoire of works across the globe over the span of his two-decade-long career, starring in several fan-favorite shows like VERTIGO and EUGENE NIGHTS and directing two films — GHODWA and TO MY SON.
No stranger to the silver screen either, L'Abidine enjoyed a successful film career in the West before his impressive breakthrough in the Arab World, appearing in several acclaimed cult classics like CHILDREN OF MEN, SEX AND THE CITY 2, CENTURION, BLACK FOREST, and RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER.
He also appeared in the American TV series THE LOOMING TOWER, which received four Emmy nominations, and the French Netflix series THE EDDY, which was produced and directed by Oscar-winning director of LA LA LAND Damien Chazelle.
L'Abidine’s acting journey started in 1999 when he moved to the UK to join the Birmingham School of Acting, from which he graduated with a Professional Acting Diploma in 2002. A year later, Dhafer made his acting debut in the UK in the popular TV series DREAM TEAM, in which he starred for two seasons.
He then went on to appear in numerous popular British television dramas, including BBC’s SPOOKS, Sky TV’s STRIKE BACK, ITV’s WALLANDER and WIRE IN THE BLOOD, as well as the HBO/BBC co-production HUNTED. He also appeared on the fifth season of the French TV series ENGRANAGES, the American TV series TRANSPORTER — which aired on TNT and HBO Canada — and the British drama FEARLESS.
L'Abidine then broke into the pan-Arab entertainment industry by starring in several TV dramas across the region, including EUGENE NIGHTS, CARAMEL, and AL KHOROUG, to name a few.
Becoming an instant hit for his stellar performances and undeniable charm, L’Abidine soon won the Murex d’Or for Best Arab Actor in a TV Series for his performance in HALAWAT AL DOUNIA and Best Actor at the Arab Satellite Channels Festival for his role in TAHT AL SAYTARA. He also achieved critical acclaim for his performances in FARQ TAWQEET, NERAN SADIQA, VERTIGO, and ZAKERAT EL JASSED, and the Tunisian TV series MAKTOUB.
Additionally, L'Abidine starred in several Tunisian films, including DOWAHA, FIN DECEMBER, and FAUSSE NOTE. He has also starred in the Egyptian action-comedy ESMAT ABU SHANAB and the Lebanese rom-com HABBET CARAMEL — the film sequel to the beloved series CARAMEL.
He then starred in the multiple-season romance series AROOS BEIRUT, which received great reviews across the Arab World, and Rami Yasin’s 2020 film BLOODLINE — the first ever Arabic vampire horror movie in which he co-starred with A-list actress Nelly Karim.
Not keen on limiting himself to just acting, In 2021, L'Abidine made his directional debut with the film GHODWA, which he co-produced and starred in. The film held its world premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival, where it scooped up the FIPRESCI Award before being acquired by Netflix two years later.
Soon after, he directed his second film, TO MY SON, which premiered at the Red Sea Film Festival to widespread audience and critical acclaim.
Since then, he has appeared in the Eid action flick THE SPIDER alongside Ahmed El Sakka, and the comedy high school series Banat Al Thanawi.
L’Abdine’s most recent outing is Amir Ramsis’ modern adaptation of Ihsan Abdel-Quddos' iconic novel A NOSE AND THREE EYES, which world premiered at the third Red Sea International Film Festival to a warm reception and went on to win an Audience Award at the 14th Malmö Arab Film Festival.
In terms of his upcoming work, however, he is set to make a comeback in the upcoming season of the much-loved Netflix drama FINDING OLA the recently announced series SAKA AL SALAMA.
Aside from his acting and directing career, L’Abidine was also named a brand ambassador for Cartier that same year and has graced the cover of several magazines, including Vogue Arabia, in which he enjoyed a spotlight that showcased his trajectory and career as an Arab actor, and was voted Sayidaty Magazine’s Best Actor in the Arab World for 2017.
He also headed the jury of the 48Hr Film Challenge launched by the Red Sea International Film Festival and is a UN Women’s champion, working closely with the organization on the issues of gender equality and violence against women.
