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Alexander Abdallah

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Alexander Abdallah
Photograph of Alexander Abdallah from 2018
Abdallah in 2018
Born
Jihad Abdallah

(1993-04-30) 30 April 1993 (age 32)
Uppsala, Sweden
Alma materMalmö Theater Academy
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • screenwriter
Years active2017–present
Known forSnabba Cash
AwardsKristallen for Best Actor (2021)

Alexander Abdallah (born Jihad Abdallah; 30 April 1993) is a Swedish actor and filmmaker. His breakout role was in Snabba Cash (2021–2022), for which he won a Kristallen for Best Actor and the Såstaholm Film & Performing Arts Award [sv]. In addition to lead roles in Thunder in My Heart [sv] (2021–2023) and Paradis City [sv] (2025), he has also worked as a director and screenwriter.

Early life and education

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Jihad Abdallah was born on 30 April 1993 at Uppsala University Hospital.[1] He was the third of four siblings born to Lebanese parents who had emigrated to Sweden during the 1980s.[2][3] He lived initially in Östhammar. When he was four years old, his family's home was broken into by racist skinheads, who assaulted his father.[4] After the attack, his family moved to Gränby [sv], also near Uppsala.[5] He attended Wik Folk High School [sv] and Fridhem Folk High School [sv].[6] Abdallah changed his first name to Alexander when he turned 18.[7][8] He graduated from the Malmö Theater Academy in 2018.[3]

Career

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In 2017, he had supporting roles in two stage productions at Helsingborg City Theater. First, he played Tyball in Romeo and Juliet and then the king's son in Marina Steinmo [sv]'s adaptation of Rapunzel.[9][10] He also appeared in Snubben lättar på sitt hjärta at the Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Skärholmen and Oscar Liljas försvinnande at the Malmö City Theater, in 2018 and 2019, respectively.[11][12]

Abdallah made his directorial debut with the short film Jag skiner inte utan er mina bröder, which focused on the aftermath of a shooting in Malmö from a child's perspective. It premiered at the Gothenburg Film Festival in 2019.[13]

In 2020, he starred in Bye bye bror with Robin Stegmar, in a joint production by Riksteatern and Teater Fryshuset. Although the play's writing was criticized by Jacob Lündstrom in Dagens Nyheter, both Abdallah and Stegmar's performances were praised.[14] In June of the same year, it was announced that he would be a cast member of the upcoming Netflix series Snabba Cash, an adaptation of Jens Lapidus' novel of the same name.[15] The series premiered in April 2021.[16] In a review for Aftonbladet, Karolina Fjellborg [sv] called Abdallah's performance as Salim "dangerously good."[17] For Snabba Cash, Abdallah was awarded Best Male Actor at Kristallen.[18] He also won the Såstaholm Film & Performing Arts Award [sv].[19]

He was featured in Spotify's 2022 audio drama, De Fria.[20] He played Sam in Thunder in My Heart [sv] (2021–2023), for which he was nominated for another Kristallen for Best Male Actor.[21][22] He also played Emir in Paradis City [sv].[23]

He co-created the comedy-drama TV series Halva halva with Mustafa al-Mashhadani [sv]. Abdallah also served as a director and writer.[24] The series, known as Home In You for its English-language release, received a positive review from Tim Forster in Special Broadcasting Service.[25]

Abdallah has been cast in several upcoming Netflix projects. He is playing King Gustav III in The Von Fersens.[26] He will also be featured in the crime drama series The Case, which is expected to premiere in 2026.[27]

Acting credits

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
TBA The Von Fersens† Gustav III [26]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Love Me [sv] Rick
2021–2022 Snabba Cash Salim [16]
2021–2023 Thunder in My Heart [sv] Sam [21]
2022 De Fria Rami (voice) Audio drama [20]
2025 Paradis City [sv] Emir [23]
2026 The Case†

Theater

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Year Title Role Theater Notes Ref.
2017 Romeo and Juliet Tyball Helsingborg City Theater [9]
2017 Rapunzel King's son Helsingborg City Theater [10]
2018 Snubben lättar på sitt hjärta Kulturhuset Stadsteatern Skärholmen [11]
2019 Oscar Liljas försvinnande Rémy Malmö City Theater [12]
2020 Bye bye bror Ava Riksteatern–Teater Fryshuset [14]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Kristallen Best Male Actor Snabba Cash Won [18]
Såstaholm Film & Performing Arts Award [sv] Won [19]
2023 Kristallen Best Male Actor Thunder in My Heart [sv] Nominated [28]

References

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  1. ^ Yussuf, Mohamed (1 May 2021). "Alexander Abdallah slog igenom över en natt – som sorgsen torped" [Alexander Abdallah became famous overnight – as a sad hitman]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  2. ^ Kledzik, Alva (5 May 2025). "Alexander Abdallah blir bonde – köpt gård utanför Uppsala" [Alexander Abdallah becomes a farmer – buys farm outside Uppsala]. Upsala Nya Tidning (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b Tisell, Sophie (18 May 2021). "Alexander Abdallah: "Ångesten är en del av mig"" [Alexander Abdallah: “Anxiety is part of who I am”]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). ISSN 1101-2412. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  4. ^ Dahlström, Fredrik (6 March 2025). ""När dagen är slut går jag ändå hem och gråter"" [“When the day is over, I still go home and cry.”]. Upsala Nya Tidning (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 13 September 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  5. ^ Cehlin Magnusson, Tom (19 May 2022). "Alexander Abdallah är Sveriges bäst klädda man 2022: "Jag inspireras av pappor från Mellanöstern"" [Alexander Abdallah is Sweden's best-dressed man of 2022: “I am inspired by fathers from the Middle East.”]. Café (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Alexander Abdallah: "Blev sönderstressad"" [Alexander Abdallah: "I was stressed out"]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 11 May 2021. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  7. ^ Pettersson, Saga (17 September 2021). "Alexander Abdallah berättar om sitt namnbyte" [Alexander Abdallah talks about his name change for the first time]. Elle (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  8. ^ Frid, Karin (17 September 2021). "Stjärnans avslöjande: Döptes till Jihad" [The star's revelation: Named Jihad]. Göteborgs-Posten (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  9. ^ a b Waaranperä, Ingegärd (2 October 2017). "Full fart. Rytmisk rap i stället för blankvers" [Full speed ahead. Rhythmic rap instead of blank verse.]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Merco och Tyball (David Sigfridsson och Alexander Abdallah) skrapar med skorna och går på varandra i frustande unghingstkoreografier.
  10. ^ a b Loman, Rikard (13 December 2017). "Betagande. Enkelt om ung kärlek" [Captivating. A simple tale of young love.]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Det är sången som får henne att vilja expandera och pröva sina vingar redan innan Alexander Abdallahs kungason — på jakt efter ett lagom jobbigt äventyr — dimper ner i hennes isolation och får henne att vilja tvåsamhet.
  11. ^ a b Helander, Karin (28 September 2018). "Tuffa män lättar sitt hjärta – och får kärlek" [Tough men open their hearts – and receive love]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). ISSN 1101-2412. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  12. ^ a b Lindquist, Kristina (10 March 2019). "Scenrecension: "Oscar Liljas försvinnande" skapar skräck med sensationella effekter" [Stage review: “Oscar Lilja's Disappearance” creates horror with sensational effects]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  13. ^ Wahlstedt, Sally (16 June 2019). "Malmöskådisens prisade kortfilm om dödsskjutningar visas på SVT" [Malmö actor's acclaimed short film about fatal shootings to be shown on SVT]. Sydsvenskan (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  14. ^ a b Lündstrom, Jacob (16 January 2020). "I "Bye bye bror" faller mannen på eget grepp" [In “Bye bye brother,” man falls on his own terms.]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). ISSN 1101-2447. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Evin Ahmad i huvudroll i "Snabba cash"" [Evin Ahmad stars in “Snabba cash”]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 12 June 2020. ISSN 1101-2447. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  16. ^ a b Lündstrom, Jacob (7 April 2021). ""Snabba cash" en osentimental dödsdans" [“Snabba cash” – an unsentimental dance of death]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  17. ^ Fjellborg, Karolina (2 April 2021). "Snygg men lite tröttsam pengajakt" [Stylish but a bit tiresome money hunt]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  18. ^ a b ""Tunna blå linjen" årets program" ["Thin Blue Line” is program of the year]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 28 August 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  19. ^ a b Balke, Fred (16 September 2021). "Alexander Abdallah får Såstaholms scenkonstpris 2021" [Alexander Abdallah receives the 2021 Såstaholm Performing Arts Award]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  20. ^ a b Balke, Fred (29 September 2021). "Abdallah, Stiernstedt och Sandman i Spotifys nya ljuddrama" [Abdallah, Stiernstedt, and Sandman in Spotify's new audio drama]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  21. ^ a b Lündstrom, Jacob (20 May 2021). ""Thunder in my heart" ljuder av glädjetjut och klagosång" [“Thunder in my heart” resounds with cries of joy and lamentation]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  22. ^ Clinton Lucas, Rakel (24 April 2023). "Amy Deasismont om nya säsongen av "Thunder in my heart": "De står inför stora utmaningar"" [Amy Deasismont on the new season of “Thunder in My Heart”: “They face major challenges.”]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  23. ^ a b Fjellborg, Karolina (7 March 2025). "Så bra är Jens Lapidus-serien "Paradis City"" [The Jens Lapidus series “Paradis City” is so good]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 4 April 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  24. ^ Källén, Matilda (21 August 2023). ""Man kan vara hundra procent svensk och hundra procent blatte"" [“You can be 100% Swedish and 100% immigrant.”]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  25. ^ "An eviction threat tests family ties in 'Home in You'". Special Broadcasting Service. 20 June 2024. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  26. ^ a b "Netflix Announces Swedish Period Drama About The Von Fersens - Starring Alva Bratt and Christian Fandango" (Press release). Netflix Newsroom. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  27. ^ Ford, Lily (29 September 2025). "Netflix Sets Swedish Crime Drama 'The Case' From 'Lupin' and 'Hijack' Creator George Kay". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  28. ^ Stjernström, Jenny (28 August 2023). "Vinnarna av Kristallen 2023" [The winners of Kristallen 2023]. SVT Nyheter (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
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