Shohreh Aghdashloo filmography covers decades of work across Iranian cinema, Hollywood movies, television, animation, and video games. Born in Tehran, Iran, Aghdashloo began her acting career in Iranian theater and film before moving to England and later establishing herself in the United States. Her career includes acclaimed dramas, science-fiction productions, historical projects, action films, television miniseries, and voice-acting roles.
Aghdashloo became widely recognized internationally after her performance in House of Sand and Fog (2003), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She later won a Primetime Emmy for her performance as Sajida Talfah in the HBO miniseries House of Saddam.
Early Career in Iranian Cinema
Shohreh Aghdashloo began her professional acting career in Iran, appearing in theater and films during the 1970s. Her early work included Iranian productions such as The Report, Chess of the Wind, and Sooteh-Delan.
These early roles established her as a performer before her career moved outside Iran. Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Aghdashloo moved to England. She eventually continued her acting career internationally and later became a U.S. citizen.
Her early Iranian film work remains an important part of her filmography because it shows that her career was already developing before she entered Hollywood.
House of Sand and Fog
One of the most important films in the Shohreh Aghdashloo filmography is House of Sand and Fog, released in 2003.
Aghdashloo played Nadi Behrani, the wife of Massoud Behrani, portrayed by Ben Kingsley. The film follows a conflict surrounding a house and the people whose lives become connected to it.
Her performance received significant critical recognition. Aghdashloo received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the role, making the film a major turning point in her international career.
The role also helped introduce Aghdashloo to a much wider English-speaking audience and led to more substantial film and television opportunities.
Major Shohreh Aghdashloo Movies
Throughout her career, Aghdashloo has appeared in a wide range of movies. Some notable entries include:
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | House of Sand and Fog | Nadi Behrani |
| 2005 | The Exorcism of Emily Rose | Dr. Adani |
| 2006 | X-Men: The Last Stand | Dr. Kavita Rao |
| 2006 | The Lake House | Dr. Anna Klyczynski |
| 2006 | The Nativity Story | Elizabeth |
| 2008 | The Stoning of Soraya M. | Zahra |
| 2008 | The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 | Prof. Nasrin Mehani |
| 2013 | The Odd Life of Timothy Green | Adoption Agency Employee |
| 2014 | Rosewater | Moloojoon |
| 2015 | Last Knights | Maria |
| 2015 | Septembers of Shiraz | Habibeh |
| 2016 | Star Trek Beyond | Commodore Paris |
| 2018 | A Simple Wedding | Ziba Husseini |
| 2023 | Renfield | Bellafrancesca Lobo |
| 2024 | Damsel | Dragon, voice |
| 2024 | Man & Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps | The Wisewoman |
Her movie roles have covered several genres, including drama, horror, superhero films, science fiction, fantasy, comedy, and historical stories. The Television Academy specifically highlights House of Sand and Fog, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Nativity Story, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, and Star Trek Beyond among her notable film appearances.
Television Career
Television has become one of the most significant parts of Aghdashloo’s career.
One of her early high-profile American television appearances was in 24, where she played Dina Araz during the show’s fourth season. The role gave her exposure to a large television audience and demonstrated her ability to work in a fast-paced action and political thriller.
Another major project was House of Saddam. Aghdashloo portrayed Sajida Talfah, the wife of Saddam Hussein. Her performance earned her the 2009 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.
The Emmy became an important milestone in her career. The Television Academy records her as the winner in the category for her performance as Sajida.
The Expanse and Chrisjen Avasarala
For many modern viewers, Shohreh Aghdashloo is particularly associated with The Expanse.
She played Chrisjen Avasarala, a powerful United Nations politician in the science-fiction series. Aghdashloo appeared throughout the show’s run from 2015 to 2022, with IMDb listing her in 62 episodes.
Chrisjen Avasarala became one of Aghdashloo’s most recognizable television characters. The role allowed her to combine political drama, science fiction, action, and character-driven storytelling.
Her performance in The Expanse also became an important part of her connection with science-fiction audiences. The series follows humanity’s expansion throughout the solar system while political tensions develop between Earth, Mars, and populations living in the Belt.
Recent Television and Streaming Roles
Aghdashloo continued appearing in television and streaming productions during the 2020s.
Her later credits include The Penguin, WondLa, Creature Commandos, Chad, Mrs. Davis, and The Wheel of Time. IMDb also lists her appearance as Nadia Maroni in The Penguin and as Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan in The Wheel of Time.
Her work during this period demonstrates the variety of projects in her career. She has moved between live-action television, animated productions, fantasy series, superhero-related projects, and other genres.
Voice Acting and Animation
Another important part of the Shohreh Aghdashloo filmography is voice acting.
Her distinctive voice has made her a recognizable performer in animated productions and games. She provided the voice of the Dragon in Damsel and appeared in animated projects such as WondLa, Creature Commandos, and Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.
Voice acting has allowed Aghdashloo to take on characters that are different from her traditional live-action roles. It also demonstrates how her career has expanded beyond conventional film and television acting.
Video Game Roles
Aghdashloo has also worked in the video game industry.
One notable role was Roshan in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. She also voiced Chrisjen Avasarala in The Expanse: A Telltale Series and appeared as Maya Sunderesh, also known as The Conductor, in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate.
These projects add another dimension to her filmography. Modern actors increasingly work across movies, television, animation, and interactive entertainment, and Aghdashloo’s credits reflect that broader approach to performance.
Shohreh Aghdashloo Awards and Recognition
Awards are an important part of understanding Aghdashloo’s career.
Her performance in House of Sand and Fog earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The film became a major breakthrough in her American film career.
In 2009, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for House of Saddam. The Television Academy’s official records confirm the win.
Her awards history therefore includes recognition from both the Academy Awards and the Television Academy, reflecting her work in both film and television.
Shohreh Aghdashloo’s Most Recognizable Roles
Several performances stand out when looking at the Shohreh Aghdashloo filmography:
- Nadi Behrani — House of Sand and Fog: Her Academy Award-nominated performance.
- Sajida Talfah — House of Saddam: The role that earned her a Primetime Emmy.
- Dina Araz — 24: A major American television role.
- Chrisjen Avasarala — The Expanse: One of her longest-running television characters.
- Commodore Paris — Star Trek Beyond: Her contribution to the Star Trek franchise.
- Roshan — Assassin’s Creed Mirage: A major video game voice role.
- Nadia Maroni — The Penguin: One of her more recent television roles.
- Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan — The Wheel of Time: Her role in the fantasy television series.
Together, these performances demonstrate the range of characters she has portrayed across different forms of entertainment.
Why Shohreh Aghdashloo’s Filmography Stands Out
The breadth of Aghdashloo’s career is one of its defining features. She began in Iranian theater and cinema, later moved into international productions, and eventually established herself in Hollywood.
Her career includes critically recognized dramas, mainstream Hollywood movies, television miniseries, long-running science-fiction television, fantasy productions, animation, and video games. Rather than being associated with a single genre, she has repeatedly moved between different types of projects.
Her distinctive voice has also become an important part of her professional identity, particularly in animation and gaming.
Conclusion
The Shohreh Aghdashloo filmography reflects a career that has developed across several decades and entertainment industries. From her early Iranian films to House of Sand and Fog, 24, House of Saddam, The Expanse, Star Trek Beyond, and more recent productions, she has built an extensive body of work.
Her Academy Award nomination for House of Sand and Fog and her Emmy-winning performance in House of Saddam represent two major milestones. Meanwhile, her appearances in The Expanse, The Penguin, The Wheel of Time, animation, and video games show how her career has continued to expand.
For audiences exploring her work, her filmography offers a broad selection of movies, television series, animated projects, and games spanning drama, science fiction, fantasy, action, and historical storytelling.
