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This article's subject relates to Season 8 of 24.This is a production article written from an out-of-universe perspective

Nazneen Contractor (born August 26, 1982; age 42) played Kayla Hassan during Season 8 of 24.

Biography[]

Nazneen was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India but was raised and educated in Nigeria and London. When she was ten, Nazneen and her family emigrated to Toronto, Canada. During her youth, she studied and trained to be a classical ballerina. After almost ten years of dance training, she decided to become an actress.

Nazneen started performing at plays gaining recognition at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, where she performed the lead roles in several Shakespeare plays. After her success at the stage, she dedicated herself to completing degrees in Sociology, Psychology and Theatre at the University of Toronto. During these times, she performed a few guest star and recurring roles on Canadian and American television. She then landed the lead role of Layla Hourani on The Border, a popular drama in Canada. During her stint at the show, she worked with fellow 24-alum Al Sapienza.

Nazneen is married to Carlo Rota, who played Morris O'Brian during three seasons of 24. They also appeared together in a 2008 production of Othello.

An adherent to Zoroastrianism, Nazneen is one of approximately 150,000 Parsis remaining in the world.

Contractor had a small part in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness (with Scott Lawrence and Peter Weller), in which she played the wife of fellow Trek newcomer Noel Clarke. In 2012, she appeared in Last Resort, with Daniel Bess, Cas Anvar and Michael Gaston. Contractor also appeared in the backdoor pilot of the upcoming Chicago Justice that aired in Chicago P.D. (with Philip Winchester), but left to do another show Ransom. In 2021, she appeared in Spiral, along with Marisol Nichols.

Role on 24[]

Nazneen played the role of Kayla Hassan during Season 8 of 24. Hassan was the daughter of Omar Hassan, President of the Islamic Republic of Kamistan. Nazneen appeared in 21 episodes, and was credited as a guest star. Despite playing the daughter of Necar Zadegan, Contractor is only two months younger than Zadegan.

24 credits[]

Selected filmography[]

  • Spiral (2021)
  • Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
  • Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
  • Love Letters (2010)
  • Othello (2008)

Television appearances

  • Children Ruin Everything (2022-2023)
  • The Expanse (2020)
  • Ransom (2017-2019)
  • Chicago P.D. (2016)
  • Heroes Reborn (2015-2016)
  • Castle (2015)
  • Covert Affairs (2014)
  • Last Resort (2012)
  • 24 (2010)
  • The Border (2008-2009)

Background information and notes[]

External links[]

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