The Tamesis
You may already be familiar with Iranian-American actor Sepideh Moafi for her role as an FBI agent in the 2022 Apple TV+ series blackbirdor from her participation in perhaps the hottest queer threesome of all time The L word is supreme: Generation Q. But you’ll almost certainly see her in a whole new light in season 2 Pete.
The acclaimed series, which returns to HBO Max on January 8, needs some new blood (pardon the pun) to flesh out a core cast that includes Noah Wyle, Isa Briones, and Katherine LaNasa, while Moafi’s Baran Al-Hashimi The Doctor is a marvel, squabbling with Wyle’s Dr. Robby and trying to bring some order to the insane Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.
ahead of Petereturn, Fashion caught up with Moafi to discuss auditioning for the flu role, working with Wyle, and trying to educate her on the role of artificial intelligence in medicine and Hollywood.
Fashion:Congratulations on this beautiful TV season! how are you feeling PeteHas it been updated recently?
Sepid Moafi: It was such a great premiere event and it was great to be in that room and hear the news about the season three renewal. You know, seeing Noah and [executive producer] John [Wells] and [series creator] scott [Gemmill] Reacting as they are about to take the stage is a very precious moment.
Are you a fan of Pete Before you came on board for Season 2?
I am! When I started watching it, I had the flu and when I auditioned for the show, I couldn’t even speak. I mean, the flu has hit me harder this time than the two times I’ve had COVID, so I thought maybe I should watch a few episodes first to prepare myself. It took me a day and a half to eat everything. [Laughs.] I’m a huge fan, and most importantly, once I read about my character, I completely fell in love with her and her presence on the show and what she added. This is very exciting.
What attracted you most to the role of Dr. Hashmi?
She is clear-headed and well-intentioned. She doesn’t necessarily wear her heart on her sleeve, but her heart is always in the right place. She is talented, skilled and moral. She challenges the status quo. She’s had some impact on culture, and she’s not afraid to challenge hierarchy. I kind of fell in love with her mind and heart because she was both intelligent and empathetic—she had a Promethean drive for innovation, medical advancement, and patient-centered care. She is smart and very kind, nurturing, curious and humble. These qualities in her are what I want to embody, so I learn from her every day.
