Sahera Khan is a Deaf actress, writer and filmmaker from East London whose work spans theatre, television, film and digital storytelling. In this interview, she discusses her creative journey, the importance of representation and accessibility, and how her Deaf and Muslim identity shapes the stories she chooses to tell through performance and British Sign Language.
Born and raised in East London, Sahera Khan was diagnosed as Deaf at a young age and grew up using British Sign Language while attending Deaf schools before later moving into mainstream education. Inspired by television, film and performance from childhood, she developed a passion for acting, storytelling and creative arts, eventually training with organisations including RADA, City Lit and Deafinitely Theatre to build a career as a Deaf actress and filmmaker.
Her screen credits include Four Deaf Yorkshiremen Go Dating (2022), Edicius (2021), Dua Lipa and Angèle’s Fever music video and Channel 4’s Inclusion Festival 2022. Her short documentary My Glow was also selected for the British International Short Film Festival in 2023.
Beyond acting, Sahera is also an accomplished writer, filmmaker and digital creator. Through her website and creative platforms, she shares poetry, short stories, BSL performances, comedy sketches and original film projects inspired by her experiences as a Deaf British South Asian Muslim woman. She has written and self-published several Kindle books, while also developing new comedy scripts, storytelling performances and short films that centre Deaf and underrepresented voices.
Accessibility and representation remain central to Sahera’s work. She regularly advocates for greater inclusion of Deaf and disabled artists within mainstream television, film and theatre, while also highlighting the importance of interpreters, captions and Deaf-friendly creative spaces. She hopes to see more Deaf writers, directors and performers working across the arts industry, alongside broader opportunities for authentic Deaf representation on screen and stage.
Read on to find out more about Sahera Khan in her own words.
Sahera Khan on becoming a Deaf actress
Can you tell us about your background – where you’re from, your interests, and anything you’d like to share about your experience as a Deaf person?
I was born in East London, United Kingdom. I was diagnosed as Deaf shortly after I turned a year old. I started nursery at around two years old, where I first learnt BSL. I grew up attending Deaf schools. At the age of 13, I moved to a mainstream school, then went on to college and university. I also completed a Higher Education Certificate in Islamic Studies.
My father was born in India before the Partition of India in 1947. After the partition. My mother was born in Pakistan. But they were born in the same place called Jhelum. My family’s homeland is Pakistan.
Watch: My Roots by Sahera Khan (2023) South Asian Heritage Month 2023)
My interests are the internet, meeting new people, exploring the world, and learning new things. As well as growing up with Deaf peers in East London, I’ve travelled all over London and the UK to meet Deaf people at events and social groups and arts and entertainment, e.g. theatres, films and events.
I grew up participating in performance, shows and drama from nursery to secondary school. I have done singing, dancing, musical instruments, performance shows, acting, poems and storytelling.
After I finished college when I was 18, I worked in various jobs, e.g. support workers in Deaf organisations and schools.
My first tiny acting role was as a background artist on BBC See Hear’s Switch, a pioneering British signed soap opera for the Deaf community, aired between 2001 and 2006.
I am married to my husband, who is Deaf and a BSL user. We have two children, and they are both CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults).
What first drew you to acting, and what do you love about it?
When I was young, I enjoyed watching British, international, and South Asian television and films at home with my family and loved a variety of genres. That made me want to be part of this. I wanted to become an actress one day.
Unfortunately, my parents wouldn’t allow me to do that. I always wanted to perform at Theatre Royal Stratford East and bring my passion into television and film. I like being filmed.
My time was in the 80s and 90s, different compared to the present because there were no social media or smartphones yet, and, of course, the internet was limited in the 90s.
I wanted to study acting when I left school. Before that, I did work experience at the Tom Allen Centre, a small theatre in Stratford, East London. I worked there for two weeks and really enjoyed it. I also did work experience for 2 weeks in a school.
How did you get involved in acting if your parents were reluctant for you to do this, and now that you are flourishing as an actress, are they supportive of your career so far?
When I was younger, my life was busy as I was studying and working. Then I got married and made a decision to stop working when I had my daughter. After that, I started to explore what I really wanted for my future career. My passion is creative work. Something inspired me through creative icons, and I wanted to do that.
I started writing and then learning how to make short films, which led me to acting through workshops and courses. I really enjoyed it, but it has been a long journey.
Before, I spoke to my parents about studying performing arts, but they were reluctant. I am thankful to them because it allowed me time to gain life experience and explore when I was older. I think I would have been more naïve and more vulnerable if I had started earlier.
Now, they are supportive of my career. I understand how to work in media, entertainment, and the arts, while staying within my faith and making my work accessible to a wide range of audiences.
You’ve trained at a variety of organisations and theatre companies. How have these different environments shaped your approach to acting in BSL?
I trained with different organisations, including City Lit, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and Deafinitely Theatre. Each one helped me in different ways.
These are based in London. City Lit is a London adult education college offering short courses in subjects like arts, languages, technology, and British Sign Language.
RADA is a leading drama school in London that provides professional training in acting, theatre, and performance.
Deafinitely Theatre is a UK theatre company that creates bilingual productions in British Sign Language and spoken English and supports Deaf artists and performers.
At City Lit, I started learning the basics of acting and building confidence. At RADA, I experienced a more professional environment, where I learnt about structure, character, and working with tutors and artistic directors.
With Deafinitely Theatre, I focused more on BSL performance and visual storytelling, which is very important for Deaf actors.
These workshops helped me understand how I perform both on stage and on screen, including working with scenes, other actors, and receiving practical feedback. I also learnt how to develop my personal BSL style in acting.
I got involved by applying to workshops, open calls, and training opportunities. Over time, this helped me build my skills and confidence, and this has supported my journey into the industry.
Recently, I studied with ActUpNorth (online), focusing on screen acting. This improved my on-screen performance and helped me move towards more professional opportunities.
I also learned from other actors, both on stage and on screen, by watching and working with them. I received advice from people in the creative industries, such as casting directors, filmmakers, and directors, which helped me understand how the industry works. I am still learning by self-studying and practising at home, for example, by reading scenes and self-filming to improve my performance.
The above organisations didn’t give me opportunities themselves, but they helped me get the opportunities outside with other productions.
Read: Ailís Ní Ríain: Deaf Composer, Visionary Artist And Advocate For Change
Sahera Khan discussing her career as a Deaf actress
Four Deaf Yorkshiremen Go Dating has a unique comedic angle – what is the show about, and what was the experience like filming it?
Four Deaf Yorkshiremen Go Dating (2022) is a comedy about four grumpy older Deaf men living in a Yorkshire village. The story follows their funny and sometimes awkward experiences, especially around dating. In this episode, three of the men go on dates, which creates humour and strong character moments.
I was involved in the show during Covid, when filming had to change. I was not able to attend in-person filming, so my part was filmed at home using Zoom with the co-director. This was a very different experience for me, as I had to act in front of the camera on my own without being physically with the other actors.
I got the role through a casting opportunity, which connected me to the production.
My character was Saiya, which was a small role. In the scene, Saiya meets Angus through online dating, but she is not happy with him because he did not return her BSL March banner.
Before filming, I talked through the scene with the co-director and discussed the actions and performance. I followed his direction and signed directly at the camera during recording. We recorded the scene a few times to get the best take.
But I didn’t meet the actor playing Angus on Zoom, instead the co-director read for me.
At that time, I did not know how to use Zoom. Because of Covid, I had to learn quickly how to use it virtually, manage the setup, and watch and respond to other people on screen. At first, I felt uncomfortable because I prefer working in person, but over time, I got used to it.
This experience had a big impact on my life. When I had my son, he had health complications as a baby, and I found it difficult to continue my creative work. Fortunately, using Zoom helped me a lot, as it allowed me to keep acting and stay connected to creative opportunities from home.
Filming via Zoom was challenging but also a valuable learning experience. It helped me improve my screen acting skills, become more confident with technology, and adapt to new ways of working in the industry. It was also easier in some ways because I stayed in one place and focused on one scene.
You appeared in Dua Lipa and Angèle’s Fever music video. What was the concept behind it, and how did you find working on such a high-profile project?
The concept of Fever was based around a party atmosphere, showing people enjoying music and being together in a relaxed, social setting. It was filmed during Covid, so there were restrictions in place.
My part was filmed in person with other performers in a flat, which was used as a party location. I was sitting with other actors while the singers performed, creating a natural background atmosphere for the scene.
It was an exciting experience working on a high-profile project. At that time, I did not know who Dua Lipa and Angèle were. I met them on set, and they performed and sang close to me. We briefly said hello and smiled.
Later, I looked at their work and realised how incredible they are. It made the experience even more special for me.
Overall, it was a valuable opportunity, and I enjoyed being part of a professional music video production.
Channel 4’s Inclusion Festival 2022 celebrates diverse voices. What was your piece about, and what did performing as part of that event mean to you?
Channel 4 invited me to talk about my talent and accessibility. It was a pre-recorded show streamed online. I signed about my experience being Deaf, an actress and accessibility. It was an amazing opportunity.
I know Channel 4 is high profile and keen to showcase diverse voices. Channel 4 was part of my childhood, and I watched teen TV programmes and films.
This platform allowed me to show that I am Deaf and a BSL actress, also a Muslim and a headscarf wearer as well. I am unique.
In the short film Edicius, what story does it tell, and what was the filming process like for you as a performer?
Edicius (2021) follows Jason, a lawyer whose life is put at risk after taking on a dangerous client. During a stressful moment, his reflection in the mirror comes to life and represents his intuition, forcing him to face his life choices.
The film was made during COVID-19, so there were restrictions. I went to a large studio in the Bow area of East London. They provided me with a kitchen uniform, as my role was a kitchen porter. It was a very small role, with only one word.
My scene was simple. I was putting rubbish in the bin when a car arrived, and two main actors entered. It was only a few shots in one scene, but it was still a valuable experience working on a professional set.
Being around high-profile actors was interesting and inspiring. I did not have much interaction with them—we just said hello to each other, and that was all. However, observing them helped me learn about professionalism and gave me the confidence to continue developing my acting career.
Watch: Sahera Khan Acting Clips (2020–2023)
You’ve also performed in many stage productions. Are there any specific shows you’ve particularly enjoyed performing in, and do you find it easier or more challenging than screen reproductions?
I have performed in several stage productions, and there are some that I really enjoyed.
One was my performance at the Victoria and Albert Museum pop-up show, Fruit and Vegetable Olympics (2019). I played a strawberry character, which was exciting and fun. The audience, especially young children, really enjoyed it. It was a very energetic performance and an amazing experience.
I also enjoyed The Throwaways musical workshop (2020). It was a reading-based performance, and I found it very interesting working alongside singers and other performers. I enjoyed my character and had the chance to perform some songs.
These were shorter theatre performances, but they were very valuable. I enjoyed the process of devising, reading lines, and working together with the hearing performers. It was a wonderful and collaborative experience.
I find theatre acting very engaging because of the live audience and the energy on stage. It can be challenging because there are no retakes, but that also makes it more exciting and rewarding for me.
Have you, or would you ever like to, work with other high-profile Deaf actors, including Rose Ayling-Ellis and Genevieve Barr?
I would like to work with high-profile Deaf actors, who would be amazing. I took part in a drama workshop where I did paired work with Rose Ayling-Ellis before she became a well-known actress. I am aware of Genevieve Barr and her work.
Also, Nadia Nadarajah taught me about BSL poetry and Shakespeare. Ramesh Meyyappan, one of my favourite performers, taught me visual theatre in Glasgow. I would like to work with them both again.
How Sahera Khan’s identities influence her creative work
Alongside acting, you work in writing, poetry, and filmmaking. How do these creative outlets influence the stories you choose to tell, and does your Muslim faith play a role in your creative work?
Very good question, I can’t even describe it. I am a gifted creative person, I believe. When I was younger, I created stories, and this led me from writing to filmmaking to acting. My mind likes to come up with ideas quickly, and they just pop into my head! I have so many stories, and I like to bring them to life.
My identity is Muslim, Deaf and BSL, and this influences how I create my creative work and stories. For example, I chose and created a storytelling piece – The Cockerel and the Fox, which is based on the Arabian Nights (derived from the Middle East, Africa and Asia), and I adapted this as a role-play.
When I am involved in stage and screen productions, I tend to avoid storylines that include foul or vulgar language or alcohol. I carefully consider each role before accepting it, and my agency, Leodis Talent, is very supportive of my faith and values.
What upcoming projects are you working on, and where can audiences watch or support them?
I am currently doing research and development for a short story performance, which I hope to present online during South Asian Heritage Month 2026.
Alongside this, I am writing a comedy short film, re-editing my Kindle books, and working on a new e-book.
On YouTube and Instagram, I create different types of content:
- Deaf & Unfiltered – a comedy video series where I share relatable and humorous moments from my life as a Deaf actress, using BSL.
- Live 60 Seconds – a weekly livestream on YouTube with Safyan Iqbal, where we have quick, engaging conversations, share thoughts, and connect with our audience.
I also post additional short comedy clips and creative content across my platforms. Audiences can support my work by watching, sharing, and engaging with my content on YouTube and Instagram @skvision0.
Sahera Khan’s thoughts on disability representation and accessibility in the performing arts
What barriers have you faced in the film and theatre industries as a Deaf actress, and have you seen meaningful progress in accessibility?
I have found the TV and film industry is very competitive, especially for Deaf actors. It is also rare to be cast in a storyline about Muslim characters, and, on many occasions, the storyline is not a good match for me, as there may be inappropriate content or it is not suitable for me due to my faith.
Communication is a major barrier. For example, not being provided with BSL interpreters due to availability or no funding.
In my experience, it’s really rare not to have BSL interpreters for an audition or talking with the production. I’ve got Access to Work, which supports me with the creative work, auditions and meeting production teams.
Fortunately, I’ve had a few opportunities. But the fact that there are still improvements that can be made in mainstream productions, both stage and on screen, for funding BSL interpreters and accessibility. It is a very slow journey.
One amazing organisation, TripleC and DANC, are doing great work to support Deaf, neurodivergent, and disabled actors.
Also, when I’ve worked with Deaf and disabled productions, they already organise the interpreters themselves. This is amazing compared to mainstream projects.
What changes would you most like to see in mainstream TV and film regarding Deaf representation?
I would like to see more Deaf representation in mainstream television, particularly in soaps and dramas, regularly. This should go beyond having just one Deaf actor — we need to see multiple Deaf actors in a variety of roles.
It’s important to show Deaf people as part of everyday life, fully integrated within the hearing world, not just included as a token presence.
What advice would you give to other Deaf/disabled actors?
Don’t give up. The most important thing I want to say is: congratulations — you are an actor.
Just keep being creative. Stay positive and look after your needs and wellbeing. You are not alone; we are here to support you.
An important tip is to show your profile on social media. It is one of the best ways to get attention from audiences and the creative industries. It’s worth it.
You can find out more about Sahera Khan by visiting her website and Linktree page and following her on Instagram and YouTube.
For casting opportunities, contact Sahera Khan’s UK representative, Leodis Talent at castings@leodistalent.com.
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