NAZNEEN CONTRACTOR

Dawn in “Children Ruin Everything”

 

Nazneen Contractor stars as Dawn in The CW’s new comedy series “Children Ruin Everything.” Dawn is Astrid’s (Meaghan Rath) mildly pretentious older sister.

 

Known for her role as Zara Hallam in the Frank Spotnitz produced drama series, “Ransom,” Contractor was born in Mumbai, India and raised in Nigeria, Africa, until the age of seven; she attended boarding school in London before her family moved to Toronto, Canada. It wasn’t until the age of 16 when she realized she wanted to pursue acting seriously. One year into her studies at University, Contractor went to an open call audition for the play Pericles at the prestigious Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada, landing the female lead role.

 

By the third season with the company, Contractor set her sights on a career in film and television, quickly booking a regular role in the pilot “The Papdits.” Soon after, she landed the role of Layla Hourani in “The Border” for CBC. The series aired worldwide, garnering Contractor a Golden Nymph Award nomination at The Monte-Carlo Television Festival.

 

Upon moving to Los Angeles, Contractor booked the role of Kayla Hassan in the eighth season of the hit series “24.” Other roles soon followed, including a recurring role on the comedy “Rules of Engagement” starring David Spade. Contractor later joined the cast of the final season of hit drama “Covert Affairs” opposite Piper Perabo, before landing the role of Farah Nazan in “Heroes Reborn.” In early 2016, Contractor earned a straight offer from one of her industry heroes, Dick Wolf, for the drama “Chicago Justice.”

 

On the film front, Contractor appeared as Rima Harewood in the record-breaking Paramount feature film Star Trek Into Darkness, directed by JJ Abrams.

 

When not working, Contractor is an avid runner and yogi. Philanthropy is a huge priority for her, and she supports such organizations as Second Harvest to feed the homeless and Look Good Feel Better, supporting women with cancer. Contractor currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and Border Terrier.

 

 

May 2023