NEWCOMER ZAIN IQBAL SAYS THAT STARRING IN BBC’S SERIES A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER HAS BEEN MORE THAN JUST A GREAT WAY INTO THE INDUSTRY. FOR THE MANCUNIAN ACTOR, GETTING TO PORTRAY A ROMANTIC LEAD AS A SOUTH ASIAN MAN CARRIES A LOT OF MEANING AND OPENS A PATH FOR HIS PEERS TO BROADEN THE NUANCED REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA FURTHER. THE SHOW, BASED ON A BEST-SELLING MYSTERY NOVEL BY HOLLY JACKSON, FOLLOWS THE STORY OF PIP, AN INQUISITIVE TEEN INVESTIGATING THE MURDER CASE FROM HER TOWN AND CREATING A BOND WITH IQBAL’S CHARACTER, RAVI, IN THE PROCESS. A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE SHOW’S RELEASE, WE CAUGHT UP WITH IQBAL TO TALK ABOUT THE SERIES’ APPROACH TO DIVERSITY, GROWING UP WITH THE SOUND OF WESTERNS AND BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS BY HIS CO-STAR, EMMA MYERS.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is your breakout role. What drew you to this story?

I mean, first of all, for someone that looks like me, this part is gold – we don’t get opportunities like these often. I’m sure that many Asian actors were after this project because it’s a sweet romantic lead and we’re not [usually] written like that. So just in terms of representation, this feels quite big.

Especially since the representation doesn’t seem to be the point of the show. The diversity is simply there.

Yeah. It’s weaved in there but it’s not about that. The show touches on a variety of subjects – race, drugs, sexual assault, and the way that kids our age deal with it. Also, it’s just a well-written story, in my opinion.

Left Full look **Miu Miu**
Right Full look **Dior Men**

Which aspects of Ravi’s personality did you relate to the most?

I think I’m quite a generous person – I can give the world to people. And I feel like I can relate to Ravi in that way. That said, I’ve not been through it like Ravi has. He’s had a hard time and a lot of struggle. But despite that, he’s kind, sweet, humble and friendly.

As this is your first big role, did you feel a lot of pressure throughout the process to get it right?

I thought I would but there was so much going on that I didn’t really have the time to think or worry about it – I just wanted to get it done. Also, having the rest of the cast and crew believe in me gave me the confidence to think I could do it.

Left Full look **Versace**
Right Full look **Prada**

The show’s lead, Emma Myers, plays a teen who’s obsessed with solving a mysterious case. In your personal life, are you a fan of watching crime shows?

Have you seen the first season of True Detective with Matthew McConaughey?

I did!

I loved everything about that! The story, the performances, the interrogation room scenes mixed with flashbacks to the scenes of crime… I find it fascinating to look at all the links and details and see how they all tie together.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is based on a best-selling book which a couple of years ago blew up on TikTok. Have you ever found a book you loved through the app?

I’m not really on TikTok but Emma did recommend me a book called Tender Is the Flesh, and I heard that it was quite big on there. I loved it! It’s based in this post-pandemic dystopian world, where people resort to eating other humans.

What are your earliest memories of movies or TV shows that you have connected with as a child?

The first thing I remember seeing in the cinema was Spiderman 2 with Tobey Maguire. Also, there’d be a lot of classics on in the house all the time, you know, the classic movie channels you get on Sky. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is one that I remember so well. You know those classic Western movies sounds?

Left Full look **Loro Piana**
Right Full look **Dior Men**

Yes!

They were the soundtrack to my childhood in a way.

Last one – what’s your hidden talent? Any skills you’re proud of?

Well, I’m double-jointed so I can bend my arms both ways! I’m also a left-handed Gemini which apparently is a common thing for us. I’ve met a lot of Geminis that are left-handed and I think they’re very special people. Including me. [Laughs]

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Discover the full story in our upcoming FW24 Issue - release next End-October.

Interview by Martin Onufrowicz

Photography by Amber Derrick

Fashion by Steven Huang

Casting by IMAGEMACHINE Cs

Production by Sundial Li

Grooming by Tarik Bennafla at Stella Creative Artists

Set Design by Maf Ramirez

Photographer’s assistants Alex Sievers & Maya Aska

Stylist’s assistant Aaishah Perager

Set Designer’s assistant Jollibeth Soto