Tala Ashe

Tala Ashe is an Iranian-American actress known for her powerful performances across television, theater, and film. She moved to the United States as an infant and was raised in Powell, Ohio. Ashe studied acting at Boston University’s School of Theatre and further honed her craft at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and the Upright Citizens Brigade. With a bilingual background in English and Persian, Ashe brings a rich cultural perspective to her work, both on and off the stage.

Ashe gained widespread recognition for her role as Zari Tomaz (and later, Zari Tarazi) on The CW’s "DC’s Legends of Tomorrow." Her portrayal of one of television’s first Muslim-American superheroes was widely praised for its complexity, humor, and emotional depth. Prior to that, she had recurring roles on "As the World Turns," "Smash," and "American Odyssey," along with guest appearances on popular shows including "Law & Order," "30 Rock," and "Covert Affairs."

In addition to her television work, Ashe has built an impressive career in theater. She starred in Off-Broadway and regional productions such as "Urge for Going," "The Who & The What," "The Profane," and "The Vagrant Trilogy." In 2022, she originated the role of Elham in Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play "English," a role she reprised in its Broadway debut at the Todd Haimes Theatre in 2025. Her performance earned her Tony and Drama League Award nominations.

Beyond acting, Ashe is an advocate for more authentic representation of Middle Eastern characters in media. In 2017, she co-founded Shethority, a platform designed to empower women in the entertainment industry. She has also produced the podcast That’s What She Said, and continues to speak out about the importance of rejecting stereotypical roles in favor of multidimensional storytelling.