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Nick Mohammed

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For the wrestler, see Nick Mohammed (wrestler).

Nick Mohammed
Mohammed in 2025
Born
Nicholas George Mohammed

1980 (age 45–46)
Leeds, England
EducationDurham University (BSc)
University of Cambridge (incomplete PhD)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • writer
Years active2006–present
Spouse
Becca Mohammed
​
(m. 2014)​
Children3

Nicholas George Mohammed (born 1980)[1] is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is known for portraying the character Mr. Swallow on stage and television. He is the creator of the Sky One/Peacock comedy series Intelligence, as well as starring in it. Mohammed portrayed the character of Nathan Shelley in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, for which he was nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category at the 73rd and 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Early life and education

[edit]

Nicholas George Mohammed[2] was born in Leeds, England.[3] His mother was a Cyprus-born general practitioner and his Trinidad-born father worked in law.[4]

Mohammed was educated at Abbey Grange High School in Leeds. He turned down an offer to study at the University of Cambridge and instead chose to study for a BSc in geophysics at Durham University,[5] where he was a member of St Aidan's College[6] and played violin in the university orchestra.[7] He auditioned for the Durham Revue twice but failed to get in, and instead frequented the local comedy circuit.[8]

After graduating from Durham in 2003, Mohammed began studying for a PhD in seismology at the Bullard Laboratories and Magdalene College, Cambridge.[7] He did not complete a doctorate, after dropping out to pursue comedy.[9] Whilst in Cambridge, he successfully auditioned for the Cambridge Footlights.[10][11]

Career

[edit]

From ages 16 to 30, Mohammed worked as a close-up magician for hotels and weddings.[12]

Mohammed is known for his character Mr Swallow, a megalomaniac magician.[13] Developed during his time in Cambridge Footlights, the character's voice and attitude were inspired by his English teacher in secondary school, who spoke in the same high-pitched Northern accent as Mr Swallow does, and named for the fact she would swallow a lot in between sentences.[3][14][13][15]

In 2010, Mohammed featured in the second series of BBC One's Reggie Perrin and was a co-presenter in BBC Three comedy series The King Is Dead alongside Simon Bird and Katy Wix.[16] He made guest appearances in Pete & Dud: The Lost Sketches, Miranda,[16] How Not to Live Your Life and Life's Too Short,[16] and appeared in Series 2 Episode 4 of the BBC Radio 4 musical comedy show Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section.[16]

Following his Radio 4 debut (Quarters), Mohammed had a second series Nick Mohammed in Bits (2010).[17] He was a cast member of BAFTA-nominated CBBC sketch show Sorry, I've Got No Head, and supported Angelos Epithemiou (as one of his radio show characters, Mr Swallow) on his 2010 national tour.[16] He had a supporting role in all three series of the E4 comedy Drifters.[16]

In 2011, Mohammed wrote and starred in the original comedy-drama 'Magic', an episode of the Channel 4 anthology series Coming Up.[18] From 2014 to 2016, he played Mr Love in CBBC show Hank Zipzer. He appeared in two episodes of Uncle in 2014 and 2015.[16] In 2015, he joined the cast of ITV comedy The Job Lot. He wrote and starred in two series of Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed, a comedy set in a police station, for BBC Radio 4.[19]

In 2018, he voiced Piglet in the Disney film Christopher Robin. Also in 2018, it was announced that he would collaborate on a new comedy series titled Intelligence with David Schwimmer for Sky One.[20] In 2019, Mohammed appeared in the second series of Stath Lets Flats.[16] That same year, he also wrote and starred in the TV pilot, The Mr Swallow Show, for Channel 4, based on his Mr Swallow character; the show was not picked up to series.[21]

From 2020 to 2023, he played Nathan "Nate" Shelley in the Apple TV series Ted Lasso.[16] During the three series he appeared on the show, he was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards (2021 and 2022) and won a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble in 2022.[22][23]

In 2023, Mohammed starred as a policeman in the film Maggie Moore(s), alongside Jon Hamm and Tina Fey.[24] He was a contestant on the 17th series of the Channel 4 show Taskmaster, which launched in March 2024.[25]

In 2024, Mohammed opened A Christmas Carol(ish) at @sohoplace in London's West End for a Christmas run. The show was a re-telling of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol with Mr Swallow as the protagonist, also starring Martha Howe-Douglas, David Elms, and Kieran Hodgson. He originally developed the show at Soho Theatre in 2022.[26][27]

In 2025, he appeared in the fifth season of Apple TV's Slow Horses as Mayor Zafar Jaffrey. Also in 2025, he starred in the action comedy film Deep Cover alongside Bryce Dallas Howard and Orlando Bloom.[28]

In 2025, he toured the UK as Mr Swallow in new live show, Show Pony, with dates extended into 2026.[29] He also appeared as a contestant on the first series of The Celebrity Traitors, about which he said, 'This is the first thing I've ever done as myself'.[30] He made it to the final as a 'Faithful' alongside David Olusoga, before losing out to traitor Alan Carr.[31]

Mohammed was in the 2025 Big Fat Quiz of the Year special, and was on the same team as Jonathan Ross; their team won.[32][33]

In April 2026, he hosted the Laurence Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall.[34][35]

Personal life

[edit]

Mohammed learned the violin as a child and played in his university orchestra at St Aidan’s College at Durham University.[36] There he met his wife, Becca, whom he married in 2014.[37][38] They have three children.[39][40]

Mohammed moved to Richmond, London, in 2014, and lived there for nearly a decade before moving on.[13][3] His eldest son, Finn, has an eidetic memory, which was showcased when they both appeared on an episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.[15][41]

Mohammed is allergic to fish and seafood.[42]

Acting credits

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2012 Asylum Seekers Adeem Akwal Short film
2014 Benny & Jolene Orlando
2015 Baguettes Man Short film
The Martian Tim Grimes
2016 Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Casper
Bridget Jones’s Baby Ariyaratina
The Darkest Universe Benny
2017 The Sense of an Ending Postman Danny
Bridget Jones' Baby: Extended End Credits Ariyaratina Uncredited; short film; direct-to-video
The Designers Comic Relief short film
Smear Dr Wyndham Short film
2018 Christopher Robin Piglet Voice role
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Short Butler
2019 The Kid Who Would Be King Mr Hyde
2020 Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse Mr Entwhistle
2022 Pragma Professor Francis [43]
2023 Maggie Moore(s) Deputy Reddy[44]
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Dr Fry Voice role
2025 Deep Cover Hugh
TBA Control Filming

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2006 No Easy Task with Daniel Thornthwaite Daniel Thornthwaite Also writer; television film
2008–2011 Sorry, I've Got No Head Various 17 episodes
2009–2010 Reggie Perrin Steve 9 episodes
2010 The King Is Dead Himself With Simon Bird and Katy Wix
The Persuasionists DVD Shop Assistant Episode: "The Charity"
Miranda Pete (Skydive Receptionist) Episode: "Before I Die"
2011 Pixelface Pharaoh Episode: "High Spirits"
Life's Too Short Toby Episode: "#1.5"
2013–2015 Drifters Ash 7 episodes
2014 Uncle Roopesh 6 episodes
2014–2016 Hank Zipzer Mr Love 16 episodes; main cast (Season 1); recurring cast (Season 2); guest cast (Season 3)
2014–2018 Cuckoo Policeman Episodes: "Neighbourhood Watch" and "Ken's New Friend"
2014 Morning Has Broken Mike Also writer; television film
2015 Murder in Successville Dynamo Episode: "Bunch of Cults"
Yonderland Electrician Episode: "Panic on the Streets of Yonderland"
2015–2017 Uncle Roopesh 5 episodes
2015–2016 Drunk History William Burke/John William Polidori 2 episodes
2015 The Job Lot Ash 5 episodes
2016 Fresh Meat Nas 2 episodes
Camping Dr Tolley Episode: "#1.2"; television miniseries
Sexy Murder Simon Schinwold 3 episodes; television miniseries
The Last Dragonslayer Brian - Dragonslayer Television film
2017 Mr. Swallow's Valentine Mr Swallow Also writer; television film
2018 Collateral Fuzz Gupta 2 episodes; television miniseries
Urban Myths Horace Lambardi Episode: "Agatha Christie"
Oi Leonardo Disciple Television miniseries; Episode: "The Last Supper"
Sally4Ever Mark Episode: "#1.4"
Comedy Blaps Benton Episode: "Furious Andrew"
2018–2019 Space Chickens in Space Finley (voice) 23 episodes
2019 Stath Lets Flats Anthony Stappan Episodes: "A Battle Of Our Lives" and "Congratulations, Please"
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Mr Swallow Episode: "18#4"
Comedians Giving Lectures Mr Swallow Episode: "#1.7"
Harry Hill's Clubnite Episode: "#1.2"
2020–2023 Intelligence Joseph Harries Also writer
Ted Lasso Nathan "Nate" Shelley Main cast
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, 2021 and 2022[45]
2020 Hitmen The Human Spider Season #1 Episode #1
2021 Inside No. 9 Gavin Episode: "Simon Says"
2021, 2023, 2024 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Mr Swallow Christmas special 2021, Christmas special 2023, Episode: "26#2"
2022 Mandy Future Doctor Episode: "The Curse of Mandy Carter"
2024 Renegade Nell Billy Blind 8 episodes
Taskmaster Himself Season 17 contestant
Inside No. 9 Himself Episode: "Plodding On"
Alma's Not Normal Jules Goodwin Series 2
2025 The Planets and Star Wars at the Proms Host A BBC Proms concert[46]
Slow Horses Zafar Jaffrey Season 5
The Celebrity Traitors Himself Contestant; series 1[47]
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year Himself Contestant[33]
LOL: Last One Laughing UK Mr Swallow Guest[48]
2026 Olivier Awards Himself Host[49]
TBA War Michael

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Character Venue Notes
2023 The Very Best and Very Worst of Mr Swallow Mr. Swallow UK tour Also writer
Duke of York's Theatre
2024 A Christmas Carol (ish) Mr. Swallow @sohoplace Also writer
2025 Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright Guest star Wyndham's Theatre One night only
Mr Swallow: Show Pony Mr. Swallow UK tour Also writer

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso Nominated [50][51]
2022 Nominated [50]
2021 Hollywood Critics Association Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy Nominated [50][52]
2022 Nominated [50]
2021 HCA TV Gold Derby Awards Comedy Supporting Actor Nominated [50][52]
International Online Cinema Awards (INOCA) Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated [50]
Pena de Prata Nominated [50]
Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series (shared) Won [50]
Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated [50]
2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated [50]
2022 Won [53]
2024 Nominated [54]

[55]

2022 Royal Television Society Programme Awards Comedy Performance - Male Intelligence Nominated [50][56]
2022 Offies Best Performance Ensemble A Christmas Carol-ish Nominated [57]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gibsone, Harriet (8 March 2026). "Nick Mohammed looks back: 'Magic became the superpower I needed growing up a short, brown kid in 1980s Leeds'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  2. ^ "Nicholas George MOHAMMED personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK".
  3. ^ a b c "Nick Mohammed Talks Magic, Mr Swallow And Ted Lasso". Beyond The Joke. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Nick Mohammed - the greatest showman". inews.co.uk. 26 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  5. ^ Pape, Liam; Pape, Interview by Liam (29 November 2022). "Ted Lasso's Nick Mohammed: 'I didn't think about comedy seriously until doing a PhD in seismology'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Nick Mohammed: a profile of the up-and-coming comedian (pg.8–9)". Durham First. Autumn–Winter 2011. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Send in the clowns". Varsity. 25 February 2010. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Nick Mohammed's heart "lies in Durham"". Palatinate. 6 December 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  9. ^ Hogan, Michael (12 August 2025). "Nick Mohammed: 'Edinburgh fringe is flawed, but I adore it'" – via The Observer.
  10. ^ "Cambridge Footlights Alumni 2000–". Footlights Official Website. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Interview with actor and magician Nick Mohammed". The Stage. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  12. ^ Williams, Zoe. "'I think I was relatively astute in the Traitors!' Nick Mohammed on magic, TV mayhem and why he turned on Joe Marler". The Guardian.
  13. ^ a b c Pape, Liam; Pape, Interview by Liam (29 November 2022). "Ted Lasso's Nick Mohammed: 'I didn't think about comedy seriously until doing a PhD in seismology'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  14. ^ The origin of Mr Swallow! | Nick Mohammed | Dish #Podcast #MrSwallow #Funny. Retrieved 25 June 2025 – via www.youtube.com.
  15. ^ a b Scougall, Murray (22 February 2023). "INTERVIEW: Nick Mohammed on Ted Lasso and taking Mr Swallow on tour". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nick Mohammed - Writer/Performer". unitedagents.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  17. ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - Nick Mohammed in Bits". BBC. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  18. ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed - Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed". BBC. Archived from the original on 30 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  19. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed - Episode guide". BBC. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  20. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (18 December 2018). "David Schwimmer, Nick Mohammed Set For Sky One Comedy Series 'Intelligence'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  21. ^ "Channel 4 to broadcast The Mr Swallow Show pilot". British Comedy Guide. 3 February 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  22. ^ "Nick Mohammed | Emmy Awards and Nominations". Television Academy. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  23. ^ "Full list of winners for the 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards". Los Angeles Times. 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  24. ^ "'Ted Lasso' Breakout Nick Mohammed Joins John Slattery's 'Maggie Moore(s)'". Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Taskmaster season 17: Release date, cast and latest news". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  26. ^ Waywell, Chris. "A Christmas Carol-ish review: hysterical comedy version of A Christmas Carol". Time Out London. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  27. ^ Deep Cover, Metronome Film Co., Parkes/MacDonald Image Nation, 12 June 2025, retrieved 29 October 2025
  28. ^ "'Slow Horses' Star Nick Mohammed On Season 5 And His Character's "Make London Londerful Again" Slogan: "I Cringed A Lot Every Time I Said It" | Decider". 8 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  29. ^ Guide, British Comedy (22 July 2024). "Nick Mohammed to return as Mr Swallow in 2025 tour Show Pony". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  30. ^ "The Celebrity Traitors contestants reveal whether they'd rather be a Traitor or Faithful as Claudia Winkleman talks missions, being 'strict' and teases her "unhinged in taffeta" wardrobe".
  31. ^ "Celebrity Traitors finale: Winners and losers revealed but is it Alan Carr, Cat Burns, David Olusoga, Joe Marler or Nick Mohammed?". BBC News. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  32. ^ "Channel 4 urged 'do better' after Big Fat Quiz of 2025 sparks controversy". Metro. 27 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  33. ^ a b "When is The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025 on TV, and who are the celebrity teams this year?". Digital Spy. 26 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  34. ^ "Olivier Awards announces Nick Mohammed as 2026 host". 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  35. ^ Wiegand, Chris (12 April 2026). "No need for hard stares as Paddington: The Musical triumphs at Olivier awards". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 20 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  36. ^ "Does Nick Mohammed really play violin in Ted Lasso?". Classic FM. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  37. ^ "In 'Ted Lasso,' Nick Mohammed Has Come Full Circle". Esquire. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  38. ^ Mohammed, Nick [@nickmohammed] (19 December 2014). "Got married last weekend, this is my niece's impression of the events. WHAT IS GOING ON NEAR MY WIFE'S CROTCH?! X" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ McGuire, Jen (17 September 2021). "Nick Mohammed From Ted Lasso Is A Proud Family Man". Romper. Bustle Digital Group. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  40. ^ D. Watkins (29 March 2023). "Nate Is A "Troubled Soul"". Salon Talks. D. Watkins. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  41. ^ "8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown: Series 25 (C4: 26), Episode 2". British Comedy Guide. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  42. ^ Taskmaster (20 August 2025). What Have You Caught? | Full Task | Taskmaster. Retrieved 20 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  43. ^ "Nick Mohammed | United Agents". www.unitedagents.co.uk. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  44. ^ Massoto, Erick (18 April 2023). "Tribeca Festival 2023 Full Feature Film Lineup Includes 'Downtown Owl' and 'Bucky F*cking Dent'". Collider. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Screen Actors Guild. 4 February 2021. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  46. ^ "The Planets and Star Wars at the Proms". bbc.co.uk/programmes. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  47. ^ "The Celebrity Traitors - Everything you need to know". BBC Media Centre. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  48. ^ "Nick Mohammed joins Last One Laughing". chortle.co.uk. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  49. ^ "Nick Mohammed announced as host of the 50th Anniversary Olivier Awards". bbc.co.uk/mediacentre. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Nick Mohammed Awards". IMDB (Index source only). Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  51. ^ "2021 - 73rd Emmy Awards". emmys.com. Television Academy. 13 July 2021. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  52. ^ a b "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 8 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  53. ^ Lewis, Hilary; Coates, Tyler (12 January 2022). "SAG Awards: 'House of Gucci,' 'The Power of the Dog' Lead Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  54. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  55. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  56. ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2022". rts.org.uk. 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  57. ^ "Offies 2022 Finalists – A Christmas Carol-ish". Offies.London. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
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