Ambika Mod

A love for American sitcoms as a youngster drove Ambika Mod to seek a career first in stand-up, and then as an actor. She started writing and performing comedy at Durham University and then at the Edinburgh Fringe over several years, performing a mix of sketch, improv and stand-up. Successful reviews earned her an agent and after a few guest spots on television, she landed the role of junior doctor Shruti Acharya in bittersweet comedy-drama This is Going to Hurt (2022). Ambika still likes to gig when she can find the time.

In her own words:

“I grew up watching American sitcoms and I just remember being transfixed by these incredible comedic performers. I just thought they were the most skilled people in the world, and I wanted to make people laugh in the way they made me laugh…

“When Covid hit and my live comedy went away, I began to figure out what it was I wanted to do. I started doing acting classes, because I thought if I’m not working I might as well try to get better at that. Then out of nowhere I got This is Going to Hurt… It was like a fever dream. Since then, everything seems to have blown up in a really amazing way…

“I’d love to write. I’d really love to exec produce and have a say in a show’s overall creation. I’d also love to direct and work with the actors, I think that’s really special… Coming from comedy, I’m used to doing the writing and producing and all the tech myself, so I’d love to be able to have a more overall creative role in the evolution of a film or TV show. But I feel like I have a lot to learn before I get to that point…

“I just really want to get better. When they watch something I’m in, I want people to trust and have faith in that project. I want to be a really reliable person, both onscreen and to work with behind the scenes. If I can keep doing that, I’ll be happy.”

Ambika’s Breakthrough credit is television series This is Going to Hurt