Eshaan Akbar

About

British comedian, actor, writer, and podcaster known for his stand-up comedy, panel show appearances, and role as Principal Lakhani in season four of Netflix's Sex Education. He is also known for appearing in shows such as Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, QI, The Apprentice: You're Fired, Celebrity Mastermind, Celebrity MasterChef, and Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales.

Before fame

He studied economics, finance, and management as an undergraduate and earned a master's degree in global governance and public policy. He began performing stand-up comedy in 2014 after previously working in finance. His break came in 2016 when he won the Piccadilly Comedy Club New Comedian of the Year final and signed with the agent who helped him land an early opening slot for Micky Flanagan.

Trivia

He became the first person of Bangladeshi heritage to appear on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, and QI. He released the stand-up specials The Pretender in 2024 and Fool Moon in 2026 on YouTube. He is also known for hosting and appearing on podcasts including Have A Word with Adam Rowe & Dan Nightingale, But...Where Are You Really From?, Panic Room, Nine Twenty Nine, and The Early Evening Show with Eshaan Akbar.

Family life

He has Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage.

Associated with

He appeared in season four of Sex Education alongside Dan Levy and Dustin Demri-Burns.