As Phase Four aims to broaden Marvel’s incorporation of other viewpoints, Moon Knight is proving to be a distinct perspective on the domain of Egyptian mythology that has saturated legendary Hollywood blockbusters like Indiana Jones and The Mummy for decades. The series has endeavored to incorporate genuine voices intimately linked with the culture, including a developing Egyptian-Palestinian actress who has managed to shine alongside Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke.
Layla El-Faouly, an adventurous Egyptian archaeologist and the estranged wife of Isaac’s Marc Spector, is played by May Calamawy, and her knowledge of history and nerves under duress prove invaluable to the troubled hero. Layla’s combination of empathy and grit has already won over fans of the show, and many are eager to see where the character’s journey, which has only a tenuous (if any) relationship to the original comic, will lead her next.
Calamawy’s Moon Knight role marks the actress’s worldwide debut on a whole new level. Some fans may remember her from her excellent performance as Dena, a graduate student and the title character’s sister in Hulu’s highly praised comedy series Ramy. Others may have seen her in the National Geographic miniseries The Long Road Home, the surrogacy comedy-drama film Together, Together, or even one of her early breakthrough appearances, the 2013 Emirati supernatural horror thriller Djinn. She has also appeared in a number of famous American drama series, including FBI, The Brave, and Madame Secretary, as well as providing the voice of Ellie Malik in NBA 2k21 opposite Djimon Hounsou and Michael Kenneth Williams.
Though Moon Knight is still in the works, Calamawy is presently closing up the third season of Ramy for Hulu. For those who are unfamiliar with the programme, Ramy chronicles the journey of a first-generation Egyptian-American family living in New Jersey, with Calamawy’s character portraying the distinct millennial woman’s viewpoint on this experience. Despite a two-year hiatus, the show is back with a bang in this new season, as the “family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns – and in some cases, lies – while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey, instead of dedicating himself to him and his uncle’s diamond business.”
Calamawy’s future projects, other than this recurrent role, are unknown. However, with the Marvel platform and some real action, comedy, horror, and drama talents already under her belt, there’s a high possibility we’ll see a lot more of her both within and outside of the MCU.
