In the series UnusualIn his film, Bilal Hasna plays a superhero who can turn back time. But Hasna is also extraordinary off-screen: whether in theater, film or activism – the 25-year-old actor is never afraid to raise his voice.
Hasna is a British-Palestinian actress and playwright who you may have seen in the film LaylaIn the film, Hasna plays the titular Layla, a Palestinian-British nonbinary drag queen who falls in love with an advertising executive. The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews.
As early as 2021, Hasna had the idea for his one-man play, For a Palestinianwhich explores what it means to be Palestinian in Western society. He is currently starring in the Amazon Prime show Deadly hot next to Rye Lanes Vivian Oparah. The show revolves around Hasna as Elliott and Oparah as Jess, who come together when Jess’ brother (and Elliott’s boyfriend) goes missing.
Culture unfiltered
Our newsletter brings you the pulse of queer culture twice a week, from the trendsetters to the trailblazers.
Layla is Hasna’s first film and in an interview with Queerty, Hasna talked about working with writer and director Amrou Al-Kadhi and the power of telling their stories.
“I think at the end of the film – especially for queer Arabs or queer people who find themselves at different intersections and different identity matrices – I hope that a new world opens up for them, a new world of expression, because that’s what Amrou did for me,” Hasna said. “Being queer and Arab can exist in harmony, no matter what the world, what the media tells us – despite the rhetoric that we hear so often and so dangerously.”
Hasna also spoke about his past as a drag queen, from dressing up in his cousin’s clothes during Ramadan to his role as a drag queen in a film. He praised the drag queens he worked with during filming for what they taught him and also for performing as a drag queen at a time when hostility towards drag queens is at an all-time high.
Since the beginning of his career, Hasna has been committed to the rights of Palestinians. In an Instagram post for the premiere of Laylahe wrote about how difficult it is to celebrate in the face of the ongoing war in Palestine.
“This is an incredible achievement, and it is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge it in the face of the unspeakable horror unfolding in Gaza,” he wrote. “We owe our endurance to Gaza. Continue to organize, to press, to stand firm, knowing that justice will prevail, freedom will triumph, and that the horizon of liberation will only draw closer with our growing resolve.”
Hasna brings his authentic perspective to everything he does. In the trailer for Deadly hothe brings so much to the screen. He’s just early in his career and it’s so exciting to think about where he’s going to go next.
Related:
Don’t forget to share:
Keywords:
Help ensure LGBTQ+ stories are told…
We can’t rely on the mainstream media to tell our stories, so we don’t hide our articles behind a paywall. Would you like to support our mission with a contribution today?
Cancel anytime · Proudly owned and operated by LGBTQ+
