In any new show, there’s always a breakout star that catches your attention due to their good looks and good performance. Luckily for YA audiences around the world, Zain Iqbal delivered both with his leading role in the hit Netflix series A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. In the thriller mystery series, a student named Pippa investigates the killing of a schoolgirl whose boyfriend was the lead suspect in her murder, with Zain playing the role of Ravi: the brother of the suspect who is determined to prove his sibling’s innocence. “Ravi is quite cool-headed and relaxed. At the same time, he’s switched on when it comes to helping Pip with the investigation,” he explains. “What surprised me was his willingness to support Pip, no matter how crazy her plans get. He’s always got her back and has his full trust in her. I guess that shows the great dynamic they have in their relationship.”

With his character, Zain’s acting skills come into full focus, as the hit series is technically his first official acting role—an accomplishment done with much precaution and elation on Zain’s end. “[On the first day of filming] I was both nervous and excited. There was so much going on that I was sort of lost in it and didn’t really think about it too much,” he reveals. “I just got on with it and absorbed everything around me.” With one leading role under his belt, those closest to him know that his segue into acting was kismet, given his fascination with films such as The Godfather growing up. “Through film I became really interested in performance, making characters, and stepping into someone else’s shoes. The more I started doing it, the more I enjoyed it,” he explains. “I’ve realized that I’ve been acting all my life, code-switching depending on who I’m speaking to and my environment. I get satisfaction from acting, it’s therapeutic for me.” With season two heading into production this season, the actor is excited to get back into the “PipRavi” universe and explore what else is out there. “I love their relationship and the scenes are so fun to shoot. I’d [also] like to work on projects that I would go and see myself, [and] see what’s out there in the U.S. too.”

VMAN: Let’s start at the beginning—what was the spark that ignited your passion of becoming an actor? Which film that you watched early on in life holds the most significance for you?

ZAIN IQBAL: Hi VMAN, thank you for having me! My love for film is what got me into acting. My dad loves his films and so I’ve been around it since I was young, films like the Good, Bad and Ugly, The Godfather, etc. Through film I became really interested in performance, making characters and stepping into someone else’s shoes. The more I started doing it the more I enjoyed it. I’ve realised that I’ve been acting all my life, code switching depending on who I’m speaking to and my environment. I get satisfaction from acting. It’s therapeutic for me. Spider-Man 2 for me is pretty significant, it’s the first film my dad took me to watch in cinemas. I had a blast, bought galaxy minstrels and a XXXL coke. The sugar rush had me jumping on tables and chairs shooting webs.

VMAN: In 2023, you nabbed the role of Ravi in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. How did you first hear about the opportunity? Do you remember what the audition process was like?

ZI: My agent sent me the sides and 3 episodes. I had a Zoom [call] and then I think around five to six further auditions, including two chemistry reads. It was quite intense at first, but then in later stages became like a workshop as I became more familiar with the team.

VMAN: Upon reading for the role of Ravi, what would you say surprised you the most about him and how he’s handling a complex situation in this story?

ZI: What surprised me was his willingness to support Pip, no matter how crazy her plans get. He’s always got her back and has his full trust in her. I guess that shows the great dynamic they have in their relationship. Ravi is quite cool headed and relaxed. At the same time, he’s switched on when it comes to helping Pip with the investigation.

VMAN: Since this is your first major role, do you remember how you felt that first day of filming? Nervous, excited—walk us through how that initial day went. Who was the first person you bonded with?

ZI: I was both nervous and excited. There was so much going on and so much to do that I was sort of lost in it and didn’t really think about it too much. I just got on with it and absorbed everything around me. The first person I bonded with was Dolly, our director. She looked after me and fought for me, right through from the first audition to the first day on set, and beyond.

VMAN: Since the series was released, it’s amassed quite the viewership in such a short time since its debut last year—thanks in part to its loyal readership for the book. How have you managed to adapt to all the responses you’ve been getting about your performance? Any particular comments you’ve received from die-hard fans of the book about your portrayal of Ravi that stick out most?

ZI:I don’t really look into it, I think that’s what’s best and most healthy for me. I mean sometimes you see something and it’s a nice comment, sometimes it’s not nice. You just move on. Particular comments, I don’t know. Probably that I did a good job? That I’m the real life Ravi? [*laughs*].

VMAN: Since this acting world is all still so fresh for you, where do you hope to see your career in the next five years? Ten years?

ZI: To work with interesting filmmakers on interesting scripts with interesting characters. I’d like to work on projects that I would go and see myself. I would like to see what’s out there in the U.S. too.

VMAN: With filming for season two gearing up to commence, what are you most excited about for this second round?

ZI: Getting to play Ravi again, I love the character. More “PipRavi” scenes, I love their relationship and the scenes are so fun to shoot.

VMAN: Aside from filming, do you have any plans that you’re looking forward most to this spring/summer?

ZI: I don’t have any plans to be honest. I’m not a planner really, I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow or even next week. The only things I have scheduled are what my agent schedules for me. I’m very spontaneous. So in spring summer I don’t know where I will be, but I’ll keep you updated!

This story appears in the pages of VMAN 54: now available for purchase!

Photography Charlotte Hadden

Fashion Davey Sutton

Grooming Olivia Cochrane (Werth Represents) using Dior Forever Foundation

Videographer Matthew Labudda

Production The Production Factory

Retouching Hempstead May

1st Photo assistant Michael Hani

Fashion assistant Vini Chenoweth-Bell

Grooming assistant Berivan Er

Casting Kevin Ponce