Hiam Abbass: The Actress Who Shines in Every Role She Plays

Born in Nazareth, Israel, and raised in the village of Deir Hanna, Hiam Abbass has built an impressive career as an actress, writer, and director. She began acting professionally in her 30s, gaining recognition in French-language television and films. Her breakthrough came in 1998 with Living In Paradise, followed by roles in early 2000s films like A Loving Father (2002) and Paradise Now (2005). She played a pivotal role in The Nativity Story, a biblical drama about the birth of Jesus.

Hollywood took notice when Steven Spielberg cast her in Munich (2005), a historical drama. Later, Tom McCarthy’s Oscar-nominated film, The Visitor (2007), introduced her to a wider audience. Venturing behind the camera, she took the director’s chair for her feature debut, Inheritance (2012), and was involved in co-writing the script for Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014). She continued starring in diverse films like Foreign Body (2016) and In Syria (2017), before stepping into the world of science fiction with Blade Runner 2049, sharing the screen with Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling.

Abbass gained further global fame in 2018, when she joined the HBO drama series, Succession, playing Marcia Roy, wife of Logan Roy. Created by Adam McKay, this American media empire story became a premium cable network hit, running for four critically acclaimed seasons. She also brought her talents to Hulu’s comedy, Ramy, portraying Maysa Hassan, showcasing her range and depth as a multilingual marvel, fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, French, and English.

Beyond acting, she uses photography, poetry, and prose to tell Palestinian stories, keeping her cultural heritage and homeland close. Her documentary, Bye Bye Tiberias, explores chosen exile, family, and women’s influences, earning recognition at the Venice International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and Festival Cinemed in Montpellier. Her work highlights the Nakba’s impact and the search for freedom beyond constraints.

Abbass’ career spans three decades, from Palestine to Europe to Hollywood, marking her as an icon of Arab cinema. Whether collaborating with Rashid Masharawi in Haifa (1996), starring in Raja Amari’s Tunisian film, Satin Rouge, or playing a Palestinian widow in Lemon Tree (2008), she remains a global storyteller, balancing theatre, film, and personal narratives with remarkable talent and resilience.