Raymond Ablack

Raymond Ablack (born November 12, 1989) is a Canadian actor and comedian whose career spans stage, television, film, and digital media. Raised in Toronto, Ontario to Indian Guyanese parents, Ablack spent his childhood juggling competitive hockey leagues with a burgeoning passion for performance, landing his first professional role at age eleven when he was cast as Young Simba in the Toronto production of The Lion King at the Princess of Wales Theatre. After a year in the demanding role, he transitioned to on‑screen work, appearing in commercials before breaking through as a teen star in 2007 with the recurring character Sav Bhandari on the long‑running series Degrassi: The Next Generation, where he appeared in more than one hundred episodes and earned international exposure. Ablack’s early success was complemented by a solid academic background, including studies at Ryerson University, where he honed both his acting craft and comedic timing, eventually expanding his repertoire to include stand‑up performances in Toronto’s comedy circuit.

Since leaving Degrassi, Ablack has built a versatile résumé that showcases his range: memorable recurring roles in Orphan Black, Shadowhunters, and Narcos demonstrated his ability to navigate science‑fiction, fantasy, and gritty crime drama alike. From 2014 to 2017 he headlined the award‑winning web series Teenagers, earning an Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actor – Drama in 2016 and further nominations for his nuanced portrayal of Gabriel. In recent years he has become a recognizable face on Netflix, delivering standout performances in the critically acclaimed miniseries Maid (2021), the romantic comedy Ginny & Georgia (2021‑present) as restaurant‑owner Joe, and a recurring love‑interest role in Workin’ Moms (2023). Ablack’s dedication extends beyond the screen; he has participated in multiple charity missions with Degrassi alumni, helping to build schools in Kenya, Ecuador, and India, and continues to blend his acting talents with a keen sense of social responsibility. His blend of charisma, cultural authenticity, and comedic flair firmly establishes him as one of Canada’s most dynamic contemporary performers.