In this interview with First Cut, actor Brian George talks about playing the whiny, wannabe-gangster Ahmad in Deli Boys, a series with a largely Pakistani cast and creative team. He reflects on how the set felt like being with family, shares what he enjoys most about live action versus voice acting, and weighs in on whether he’ll return as Guru Pathik in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender sequel series. The conversation is lighthearted throughout, and it ends with a playful call for fans to campaign for his return.
Q: What did you enjoy most about playing Ahmad in Deli Boys?
A: George says the character’s whininess was the fun part. Ahmad is desperate for respect, and that need drove the performance.
Q: Ahmad comes across as an impotent wannabe gangster. Does that reflect anything bigger?
A: The interviewer suggests Ahmad mirrors the kind of leadership seen around the world today, and George agrees he understands the point.
Q: Did you model Ahmad on any influences or other characters?
A: No. George says he can’t point to any model. The character was largely on the page, and he added his own insecurities and strengths.
Q: How did it feel to work on a show created, written and starring a largely Pakistani cast?
A: George jokes that he felt alienated and lonely because he isn’t Pakistani. He then clarifies that he is a Middle Eastern Jew whose parents came from South Asia, and that he grew up in England surrounded by that culture.
Q: So did the set feel special?
A: Yes. He says it felt like being with family, and that it was comfortable and nice to walk onto a set that reflects the outside world. In his view, that is how the world should be.
Q: You’ve done both live action and voice acting. Which do you prefer?
A: He says they aren’t the same, and that you should go with what brings you pleasure. Some sets weren’t enjoyable, and on those the job was simply doing your best once you were committed. Some of his most joyful moments have been in the recording studio with other actors.
Q: Is voice work always that fun?
A: Not when you’re alone in the studio. A group of actors sitting around microphones reading an animated episode together can be more fun than anything. For George, enjoyment matters more than genre, whether the work is drama or comedy.
Q: You voiced Guru Pathik in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Are you part of the upcoming sequel series?
A: He doesn’t know, and says he wishes he did. The interviewer notes that First Cut has covered the original series and Legend of Korra, and that a new series is coming to Paramount and Nickelodeon.
Q: Any message for fans who want you back?
A: George suggests they write to the studio and say they want him back. The interviewer jokes about starting that campaign right away, then thanks him and praises his performance in Deli Boys.
