Solidarity is a Verb with Khalid Abdalla

Update: 2025-12-08

Description

In this episode, I sit down with the actor and activist Khalid Abdalla. Known for his roles in The Kite Runner and as Dodi Fayed in The Crown, Khaled joins me for a conversation that is as raw as it is necessary. We recorded this shortly after he received news of the passing of a cherished colleague and on-screen father, bringing a palpable sense of vulnerability to the space.

Together, we explore the intersection of artistry and political struggle. Khaled reflects on his background as an actor of Arab descent, his involvement in the Egyptian Revolution, and the deep responsibility he feels to speak out against the ongoing violence in Gaza. We discuss the complexities of representation, the shift from professional solitude to collective solidarity, and why maintaining hope is a disciplined, communal act.

Key Takeaways

The Artist as Witness: Khaled discusses the evolution of his career, from graduating during the Iraq War to his current activism. He articulates why artists cannot remain neutral and how creative forms—whether film, writing, or music—must adapt to meet the political urgency of the moment.
Representation Matters: We touch on the cultural significance of his role as Dodi Fayed in The Crown. Khaled explains how playing a character the audience is encouraged to love and mourn, rather than fear, challenges decades of harmful tropes regarding Arab identity in Western media.
From Solitude to Solidarity: A central theme of our conversation is the journey from feeling isolated in speaking out to finding a vast, supportive community. Khaled shares how stepping past the fear of professional risk revealed unexpected circles of solidarity.
The Non-Linearity of Change: Drawing on historical examples, such as the Dunnes Stores strike against apartheid, Khaled reminds us that small, seemingly impossible acts of resistance can ripple out to create monumental shifts over time.

Episode Highlights

01:45 – Khaled shares the grief he is carrying into the space following the loss of a revered colleague and on-screen father.
07:50 – Reflections on playing Dodi Fayed and the rare opportunity to portray an Arab character that invites love rather than fear.
16:00 – The initial loneliness of speaking out against the genocide in Gaza and the subsequent discovery of global solidarity.
26:40 – Khaled discusses the painful conditioning of accepting the loss of Arab lives and the refusal to accept this for future generations.
45:30 – A powerful story about the Dunnes Stores strike in Dublin and how a single grapefruit became a symbol of anti-apartheid resistance.

About the Guest

Khaled Abdalla is a British-Egyptian actor and activist. He gained international recognition for his role in the Academy Award-nominated film The Kite Runner. More recently, he portrayed Dodi Fayed in the Netflix series The Crown. Beyond the screen, Khaled is a prominent voice in social justice movements, having been deeply involved in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution and current solidarity campaigns for Palestine.

Instagram: @khaledabdalla