Dar Salim

Dar Salim is an Iraqi‑born Danish actor whose career has spanned both European television and Hollywood cinema. Born on 18 August 1977 in Baghdad, Iraq, Salim fled with his family at the age of six, seeking refuge in Denmark where he grew up on the island of Amager. His early displacement imbued him with a nuanced perspective on identity and belonging, themes that would later surface in his most memorable performances. After completing secondary education, he pursued formal training at the prestigious William Esper Studio in New York City, complementing this with method‑acting studies in London and private coaching from Danish actress Sarah Boberg. This eclectic blend of techniques helped him craft a distinctive, emotionally resonant style that quickly caught the attention of Danish producers. In his breakthrough role as Green Party chairman Amir Diwan on the acclaimed series Borgen, Salim delivered a performance that combined political gravitas with subtle vulnerability, earning him widespread recognition across Scandinavia. He continued to build his résumé with strong supporting turns in series such as Dicte—for which he received a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Robert Awards—The Bridge, Below the Surface, and the Swedish thriller Springfloden. The actor’s international profile expanded dramatically when he was cast as Afghan interpreter Ahmed Abdullah opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Guy Ritchie’s 2023 film The Covenant. His portrayal was praised for its authenticity and emotional depth, demonstrating his capacity to bridge cultural narratives within blockbuster cinema. The following year he reprised his collaboration with Ritchie in the series The Gentlemen, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile talent capable of navigating complex, transnational roles. Throughout his career, Salim has been celebrated for his commitment to representing displaced voices, his fluency in multiple languages, and his relentless dedication to craft, making him a compelling figure in contemporary film and television.*