Kayvan Novak: Farsi Speaker, Height, Age, Wife, and Career

There’s a special kind of actor who can make you laugh so hard you forget they’re even performing, and Kayvan Novak has that rare talent. Best known for playing Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows, Novak brings a warmth and ridiculousness to his 762-year-old Persian vampire that feels effortless. In this guide, we trace how his Farsi-English upbringing shaped his comedy, from a BAFTA-winning prank show to a cult-classic series.

Born: 23 November 1978 ·
Nationality: British ·
Ethnicity: Iranian ·
Notable role: Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows ·
Award: BAFTA TV Award for Fonejacker ·
Languages spoken: English, Farsi

Eight verified facts capture the essentials of Novak’s profile — from his early life to his current status as a cult comedy figure.

The snapshot table consolidates Novak’s core biographical data at a glance.

Does Kayvan Novak speak Farsi?

Kayvan Novak’s language background

Yes, Kayvan Novak speaks Farsi fluently. His Iranian heritage — his parents are of Iranian descent — meant he grew up hearing and speaking the language at home alongside English. Novak was born in London on 23 November 1978, making him a bilingual British Iranian who navigates both cultures naturally (IMDb Biography, the standard entertainment industry database).

The implication: Novak’s bilingualism isn’t a trivial detail — it directly informs his most famous role. Nandor the Relentless, the 762-year-old Persian vampire on What We Do in the Shadows, carries cultural notes that only a Farsi-speaking actor could deliver with authenticity. Novak doesn’t just play a vampire from present-day Iran; he inhabits the linguistic rhythms of someone with that heritage (Looper, a pop culture outlet).

Interviews mentioning Farsi

• In a 2025 appearance on the Adam Buxton podcast, Novak discussed growing up with Farsi and how his background influenced his comedy (UPI, the news service that covered the interview).
• Backstage, the professional acting resource, describes Novak as a writer, director, and voiceover artist who draws on his multicultural perspective for character work (Backstage).

The trade-off: while Novak’s Farsi is genuine, not all sources on the topic are equally authoritative. Some entertainment sites repeat the claim without direct quotes from Novak himself. The strongest evidence comes from the man’s own podcast appearances and verified biographies.

What is Kayvan Novak doing now?

Recent projects in 2025

As of 2025, Kayvan Novak remains active in voice work and comedy. His most recent major interview was with Adam Buxton, where he reflected on the end of What We Do in the Shadows and hinted at future creative directions (UPI). He has not publicly announced a new starring vehicle, but his career pattern suggests a blend of voiceover, writing, and guest appearances.

What We Do in the Shadows current status

The FX series concluded its sixth and final season in December 2024. Novak played Nandor throughout the entire run. Reflecting on the role, he told UPI, “I don’t let him go. I keep him with me” (UPI). The show earned a devoted following and critical acclaim for its mockumentary style and ensemble chemistry.

Podcast and voice work

Novak has a history of voice acting in animated projects and continues to take on voiceover roles. He is also a writer and director, with the Backstage profile noting his multi-hyphenate skillset (Backstage). His podcast appearances, including the Buxton episode, keep him connected with audiences while he develops new material.

The pattern: Novak is in a transitional phase — concluding a major series while laying groundwork for whatever comes next. His availability for voice work and willingness to do interviews suggest he’s not stepping away from the spotlight.

What nationality is Kayvan Novak?

Place of birth

Kayvan Novak was born on 23 November 1978 in London, England (IMDb Biography). London has been his home base throughout his career.

Nationality and ethnicity

Novak holds British nationality. His ethnicity is Iranian, reflecting his parents’ heritage (IMDb Profile). This dual identity is a defining feature of his public persona and his work.

Iranian heritage

His Iranian descent is not a background detail — it’s central to his comedy. Novak’s ability to code-switch between English and Farsi, and his understanding of Persian cultural tropes, allowed him to shape Nandor into a character that feels authentic rather than stereotypical (Sportskeeda, an entertainment coverage site). Collider, the pop culture news outlet, describes Nandor as the self-appointed leader of the vampire household — a role that requires the right mix of authority and absurdity (Collider).

Why this matters: nationality and ethnicity are not interchangeable curiosities here. Novak’s Britishness gave him the industry access; his Iranianness gave him the cultural material. Both are necessary to understand his career.

Kayvan Novak Movies and TV Shows

What We Do in the Shadows (Nandor)

This is the role that made Novak a household name for comedy fans. What We Do in the Shadows ran from 2019 to 2024 on FX, following a group of vampire housemates in Staten Island. Nandor the Relentless, a 762-year-old Persian vampire who was once a soldier in the Ottoman Empire, is the self-appointed leader of the household (Looper). Novak’s deadpan delivery and physical comedy make Nandor both threatening and pitiful.

Fonejacker and Facejacker

Before What We Do in the Shadows, Novak created and starred in Fonejacker, a hidden-camera prank call show that aired on E4 from 2007 to 2012. The show won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Programme in 2008 (IMDb Awards). Its follow-up, Facejacker (2010–2012), earned him another BAFTA nomination in 2011 (IMDb Awards). The Simple English Wikipedia entry notes that Novak co-created Fonejacker and starred in it (Simple English Wikipedia).

Other film and TV appearances

Novak also won a British Comedy Award in 2010 for his role in the film Four Lions, a dark satire about would-be terrorists directed by Chris Morris (IMDb Awards). The Backstage profile identifies Four Lions as one of the films most frequently cited in Novak’s early screen career (Backstage). His voice work includes animated features and video games.

The catch: Novak’s filmography is shorter than some of his peers’, but his hit rate is remarkable — a BAFTA win, a BAFTA nomination, a British Comedy Award, and a cult TV series. That’s a track record of quality over volume.

Novak’s projects span prank calls, dark satire, and vampire comedy — each earning industry recognition.

How tall is Nandor from What We Do in the Shadows?

Kayvan Novak height compared to character

Kayvan Novak’s height is reported as 6′ 1″ (1.85 m) on IMDb, though other sources vary between 5 ft 9 in and 5 ft 11 in (IMDb Profile). Nandor’s height is never specified on the show, so the actor’s actual stature becomes the character’s default.

Cast height comparisons

• Matt Berry (Laszlo) is approximately 6′ 1″.
• Natasia Demetriou (Nadja) is approximately 5′ 5″.
• Harvey Guillén (Guillermo) is approximately 5′ 8″.

Novak’s height is consistent with his co-stars, which suits the ensemble dynamic of the show.

The implication: height is one of those facts that fans want but sources can’t agree on. The range — 5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 1 in — is wide enough to suggest no single authoritative measurement exists. For practical purposes, Novak is tall enough to play a commanding vampire, short enough to still be the comic relief.

Frequently asked questions

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