Bodyguard’s jihadi Anjli Mohindra insists role was ’empowering’ following shock finale
During last night's series final, her character Nadia was unveiled as a ruthless and committed jihadi ngineer.
BODYGUARD star Anjli Mohindra says her role in the show was "empowering".
The star - who played ruthless jihadi Nadia in the smash hit BBC One drama - loved playing a character that challenged stereotypes.
Anjli, 28, was first seen in episode one of Jed Mercurio's drama. She pretended to be a submissive terrorist’s wife who had been strapped into a suicide vest against her will.
But during last night's series final, Nadia revealed herself to be a ruthless and committed jihadi engineer, who built the bomb that killed Home Secretary Julia Montague - played by actress Keeley Hawes, 42,
“You all saw me as a poor, oppressed Muslim woman,” she told officers. “I am an engineer. I am a jihadi.”
Speaking about the role, Anjli said: “Women are constantly undermined.
"We have this idea that women who wear hijabs are oppressed and do so not of their own will, and that is something we need to think about and take stock of because that is absolutely not the case.”
She said she originally had doubts about taking on the role, but eventually found the part “empowering from a feminine perspective”.
Meanwhile, Mercurio says viewers could be treated to as many as four series of the show after it became a ratings smash.
Jed said of Bodyguard: “We have been very fortunate with the success of series one.
“It’s probably fair to say we would probably approach any thoughts of a second series with the idea that it would create an opportunity for a third or fourth.”
Asked for a specific date on when Bodyguard would return, he played coy.
He said: “I’m really not going to speculate on that because there’s so many factors that would go into it.
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