'For any refugee family...': 'The Pitt' star recounts her journey
What's the story
Sepideh Moafi, who recently joined the second season of The Pitt as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, has shared her incredible journey from a refugee camp to Hollywood. In an interview with People, she revealed that she was preparing for a personal-growth retreat when she got the call that she had landed the role. Despite initial doubts from industry insiders, including her first agent, Moafi persevered and is now enjoying a successful acting career.
Role model
'She leads with pure intentions, and...'
Moafi plays a strong-willed physician, Dr. Al-Hashimi, in The Pitt.
The character is set to replace Dr. Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) during his three-month sabbatical.
"She leads with pure intentions, and she's able to empathize with patients in a very personal way, and yet diagnose and see beyond what's in front of her," Moafi said about her character.
Background
'We were very lucky to have a community...'
Moafi was born in a refugee camp in Germany after her parents fled Iran following the Islamic Revolution in the early 1980s.
"For any refugee family, it's rarely a choice. The circumstances were so dire that they were forced to leave."
"We were very lucky to have a community when we came here, but it's a loss of identity in so many ways."
After graduating, she landed a spot on CBS's Blue Bloods and starring role on HBO's The Deuce.
Advocacy
'It is a privilege to be of service...'
With her success, Moafi has also become an advocate for refugees and immigrants.
She said, "People want dignity and a free future."
"The emotional anchor in my life is my background, my parents, and our history. It is a privilege to be of service."
Her next project is Off-Broadway's New Born with Hugh Jackman from May 8.