Zain Iqbal On ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’, His Sudden Fame And The Future Of South Asian Leads

For most actors, the climb to a leading role is a slow burn. For Zain Iqbal, it was a lightning strike. Before he was Ravi Singh — the witty, protective heart of Little Kilton — Zain was a Manchester native with a creative streak and a late-blooming passion for the screen. Now, at 28, he finds himself at the center of a global phenomenon. As Season 2 of “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” prepares to drop on Netflix this May 27, the man behind the mystery seems remarkably unfazed by the whirlwind.

The Late Bloomer with a Creative Soul

Unlike many of his peers, Zain didn’t spend his childhood in stage schools. His "drama school" was his living room, soundtracked by his father’s eclectic film collection. “I’ve always loved films since I was young,” Zain explains, citing everything from the gritty tension of “The Godfather” to the nostalgic magic of Toby Maguire’s “Spider-Man”. “I was always a creative person who was very interested in drawing, painting, all that stuff. I never acted.”

The "bug" didn't bite until about five or six years ago. After experimenting with small student films, Zain realized his true calling wasn't just watching stories, but inhabiting them. "I started becoming interested in building characters and stepping into other people’s shoes," he says. It was a leap of faith that eventually led him to Ravi Singh — a role that has since changed the trajectory of his life.

Back to Familiar Territory 

Stepping back into Ravi’s shoes for Season 2 felt different for Zain. The freshman nerves that defined the first season have been replaced by a comfortable familiarity. “Season 1, there was more pressure,” he admits. “You’re jumping into something new and no one really knows what they’re getting into. Season 2 was more relaxed. It’s like going back to school after a long break.”

Despite the ease of returning to the set alongside co-star Emma Myers, Zain remains focused on the craft rather than the noise. “I never really look at [the hype], to be honest. I just do the work. Someone’s always got something to say, you know?”

Related Stories

From ‘Kartavya’ and ‘It’s Not Like That’ To ‘Tighee,’ The Impossible Choices Streaming This Week

Cracking the Glass Ceiling

One of the most significant aspects of Zain’s portrayal of Ravi is what it represents for South Asian actors. Ravi isn’t a trope; he’s a romantic lead, a brother, and a brilliant ally.

“The fact that we’re talking about this means there’s still work to be done,” Zain says candidly when asked about the glass ceiling for South Asian men in the industry. “If there wasn’t a problem, we wouldn’t talk about it. This role has definitely helped progress it. It’s important to have roles like this — it makes things more relatable and people become more open-minded.”

For Zain, the victory isn't just in getting the role, but in the doors it opens. He notes that the scripts crossing his desk now are more varied than ever. “I get different things, which is good. It’s boring if you play the same character.”

"I’ll just keep pushing and fighting and giving it my all to try and break the barrier even more."

Fame, Fans, and "3 Idiots"

Despite the "heartthrob" status that comes with a hit Netflix show, Zain describes his life as "pretty simple." He keeps the same circle of friends and family, staying private in a world that wants to know everything. “It came as a surprise,” he says of the public recognition. “I’m quite a private person naturally, but it’s nice when someone recognizes you and gives you a compliment for your work. It’s the fans that make stuff like this happen.”

When he isn’t solving fictional murders or navigating red carpets, Zain is looking toward the "weird." His cinematic taste remains outside the box — he’s a fan of the ambiguous and the quirky. And yes, that includes Bollywood films as well. “I’m not an expert, but I have seen a couple. It’s something that I should expand on. My favourite is ‘3 Idiots’ and the first ‘Dhoom’ film. I know there’s some great stuff.”