Meet Himesh Patel, the Indian-origin actor in 'The Odyssey'

Meet Himesh Patel, the Indian-origin actor in 'The Odyssey' 

British-Indian actor Himesh Patel is one of the most talked-about names in Christopher Nolan's upcoming 2026 epic, The Odyssey.

Born in Huntingdon to Gujarati parents who emigrated from East Africa, Patel started his career with the BBC's EastEnders in 2007.

He reportedly appeared in 566 episodes before finding international success with Danny Boyle's Yesterday (2019), where he played the only person who remembers The Beatles.

Early life and education

Patel was born on October 13, 1990, in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire. His parents are both Indian Gujarati Hindus who ran a newsagent's shop in Cambridgeshire.

His mother was born in Zambia while his father was born in Kenya.

The 35-year-old grew up speaking Gujarati and attended Prince William School in Oundle, Northamptonshire.

He showed an early interest in acting by impersonating his favorite TV and film characters as a child.

Career beginnings in television and theater

Patel's professional career began at 16 when he was cast as Tamwar Masood in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

He spent nine years on the show (2007-2016), co-writing an episode of its spin-off EastEnders: E20 and starring in the web series Tamwar Tales.

After leaving the soap, Patel expanded into television and theater with roles in Damned, Climaxed, Motherland, and Don Juan in Soho opposite David Tennant.