Sophie Khan Levy has become a fan favourite on EastEnders since joining the BBC soap in 2023. She plays Priya Nandra-Hart, the fiery ex of villain Ravi Gulati. Her arrival on Albert Square with secret daughter Avani caused immediate drama. In 2026, searches for “Sophie Khan Levy” remain consistently high. Fans want to know about the actress behind the popular character.
The 36-year-old actress comes from a legendary acting family and has an impressive stage career. Like Lottie Moss, she has famous relatives, but Sophie’s mother paved the way for South Asian actors in Britain. Therefore, this guide covers everything about Sophie Khan Levy’s life, career, and time on EastEnders.
Who Is Sophie Khan Levy? Age and Early Life
Sophie Shaheen Khan Levy was born on 25 July 1989 in Wandsworth, south London [citation:2][citation:4]. She is 36 years old as of 2026. She is of mixed race descent, with a Canadian-born father and a South Asian mother from Moshi, Tanzania [citation:9].
Sophie has a younger sister named Nyla, who is also an actress and writer [citation:1]. She grew up in a very close family with weekly traditions. “Every Friday we had ‘Friday Gang’ and Sundays were for family,” she revealed in an interview [citation:1].
In her youth, Sophie lived in Canada with her cousin for a year and a half [citation:9]. She later graduated from the University of Warwick before studying at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama [citation:3].
Famous Mum: Shaheen Khan’s Legacy
Sophie’s mother is the legendary actress Shaheen Khan. She starred in the iconic film Bend It Like Beckham. Shaheen also set up Tara Arts, one of the country’s first acting schools specifically for Asian actors [citation:3][citation:9].
Sophie credits her mother as her biggest inspiration. “Mum paved the way not just for me but for so many South Asian actors who watched her and thought ‘if she can, maybe I can too’,” she told Grazia [citation:1].
“Mum brought her talents into our home and made our childhood full of play! Encouraging us to imagine, to create and to dream big,” she added [citation:1]. Lottie Moss also grew up with a famous older sister, but Sophie’s mother actively shaped her career path.
Royal Shakespeare Company Career
Upon graduating from Guildhall in 2013, Sophie appeared in Cymbeline, for which she received critical acclaim [citation:9]. She was then contracted by the Royal Shakespeare Company to appear in various productions. They described her as a “fiercely intelligent and brilliant actress” [citation:3].
Her RSC credits include Love’s Labour’s Lost (2014), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2015) and As You Like It (2019) [citation:4]. She also performed in a one-woman show called Hanna in 2018. Bonnie Blue built her fortune online, while Sophie built hers on the classical stage.
The Independent wrote that Levy had “a lovely unforced naturalness” and performed the play beautifully [citation:9]. The Guardian admired her “compelling performance and sympathetic naturalness” [citation:9].
TV Roles Before EastEnders
Before joining the BBC soap, Sophie appeared in several notable TV shows. In 2022, she starred in three episodes of the Channel 5 series All Creatures Great and Small as Florence Pandhi [citation:6][citation:8]. She also appeared in an episode of The Sixth Commandment in 2023 [citation:9].
Her other credits include Mammals (2022) as Beth, and guest roles in the TV series Ride and the short film Avernus [citation:9].
EastEnders: Playing Priya Nandra-Hart
Sophie joined the cast of EastEnders in 2023 as Priya Nandra-Hart [citation:3]. Her character is the ex-partner of villain Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara). She arrived in Walford alongside her teenage daughter Avani (Aaliyah James), who Ravi was unaware existed [citation:6][citation:8].
The audition process was intense. Sophie revealed she “cancelled all my plans that weekend and stayed at home working on it.” She bought a Priya outfit (her wardrobe is very different!) and recorded her tape [citation:1].
“I decided to do the whole audition in character from the moment I got on site till the time I left,” she said [citation:1]. The process took under two weeks from audition to filming. Yazmin Oukhellou also found fame in Essex, but Sophie’s rise came through classical training.
Best Newcomer Nomination
Sophie quickly made an impact on the soap. She earned a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards [citation:6][citation:8]. Reflecting on her nomination, she told Inside Soap: “I’m really excited about it, I feel really honoured because EastEnders is such an iconic show.”
“I can’t really believe that A, I’m a part of it, and then B, to be nominated. I just feel really lucky, and I’m really thrilled,” she added [citation:6]. Clive Myrie also earned recognition for his work, though in journalism rather than acting.
Favourite EastEnders Episode
When asked about her favourite moment on the show, Sophie singled out a powerful episode. “An episode that sticks out is where Priya finds out Avani was strip searched. That’s an episode I’m really proud to have been a part of,” she told Grazia [citation:1].
“It’s a very important societal issue and that’s what I love about EastEnders, it tackles topical subjects and gives a voice to those that often go unheard,” she added [citation:1].
Close Bond with On-Screen Daughter Aaliyah James
Sophie has formed a strong bond with her on-screen daughter Aaliyah James. The pair share many photos together on social media [citation:6][citation:8].
Their casting process was connected. Sophie revealed she had her “final call back with Aaliyah who had already been cast as my daughter.” Four days later she was on set [citation:1]. Paris Fury has a large family, while Sophie’s EastEnders family is a different kind of bond.
EastEnders 40th Anniversary
Priya is set to be an integral part of EastEnders’ 40th anniversary episodes. This is especially significant after recent episodes revealed that Ravi is dating Denise Fox (Diane Parish) [citation:6][citation:8].
Sophie shared her excitement about the milestone: “Being in EastEnders coming up to the 40th anniversary, I can’t believe it. I grew up watching the show, and so to be part of an anniversary episode or moment… it just feels like the show is on a high at the moment. It’s a super exciting time” [citation:6][citation:8].
Life Off-Screen: Pilates, Walks and Laundry!
Away from acting, Sophie has simple pleasures. “I love going for walks, going to Pilates, getting my iced matcha with almond milk… all while carrying my giant water bottle,” she revealed [citation:1]. Her co-stars apparently laugh at her, but she insists: “You gotta stay hydrated!”
She also admitted: “Oh and laundry, why is there always laundry?! But there’s something so satisfying about an empty washing basket” [citation:1].
Sophie works out every day but has moved from intense training to more mindful exercise. “I’ve gone from working out really hard and injuring myself to now doing more Pilates and lower impact exercise,” she explained [citation:1].
Sophie Khan Levy’s Net Worth
Sophie Khan Levy’s estimated net worth is not publicly disclosed. She has earned income from her extensive stage work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, her television roles including EastEnders, and her appearances in All Creatures Great and Small.
As a working actress on one of Britain’s most popular soaps, she earns a respectable salary. Her classical theatre background has also provided steady work throughout her career. Izzie Balmer built her career through antiques expertise, while Sophie built hers through stage and screen.
Why Sophie Khan Levy Is Trending in 2026
Sophie Khan Levy continues to trend for several reasons. EastEnders remains one of the UK’s most popular soaps. Her character Priya is involved in major storylines ahead of the 40th anniversary. Her famous mother Shaheen Khan’s legacy continues to draw interest. Additionally, her impressive RSC background and classical training set her apart from many soap actors.
Sophie represents a new generation of classically trained actors bringing depth to popular television. Adam from MAFS found fame through reality TV, while Sophie’s path has been through traditional training and stage work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old is Sophie Khan Levy?
Born 25 July 1989. She is 36 years old as of 2026 [citation:2][citation:4].
Who is Sophie Khan Levy’s mother?
Her mother is actress Shaheen Khan, who starred in Bend It Like Beckham and set up Tara Arts [citation:3][citation:9].
What role does Sophie Khan Levy play in EastEnders?
She plays Priya Nandra-Hart, the ex-partner of Ravi Gulati and mother of Avani [citation:6][citation:8].
What other TV shows has Sophie Khan Levy been in?
All Creatures Great and Small, The Sixth Commandment, and Mammals [citation:9].
Has Sophie Khan Levy won any awards?
She was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards [citation:6][citation:8].
What stage work has Sophie Khan Levy done?
She has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Cymbeline, Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and As You Like It [citation:4].
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