Nasir 'Naz' Khan is the harrowing center of The Night Of — a shy, studious Pakistani-American college student in Queens whose single reckless night ends with him accused of a brutal murder he may not have committed. Over one terrible arc, we watch an ordinary, gentle young man swallowed by the machinery of the American criminal justice system.
His arc is a devastating transformation. As Naz moves from terrified innocent through arrest, Rikers Island, and trial, the institution that's supposed to determine his guilt instead remakes him — hardening, tattooing, and criminalizing a kid who entered it soft. The series refuses to fully resolve whether he did it, focusing instead on how the process itself corrupts and consumes, regardless of the verdict. By the end, the question of innocence feels almost beside the point next to what's been done to him.
Riz Ahmed's raw, Emmy-winning performance made Naz's journey unforgettable.
Key Episodes
S1 E1
The Beach
Naz's fateful night ends in arrest for murder in the feature-length premiere.
Nasir "Naz" Khan is one of the central figures in The Night Of, a crime/drama/mystery series that aired on HBO from 2016. Within the narrative of The Night Of, Nasir "Naz" Khan serves as a pivotal character whose decisions and relationships drive key story arcs throughout Limited Series (2016). The character's journey has been central to many of the show's most memorable and discussed moments.
Portrayed by Riz Ahmed, Nasir "Naz" Khan has become one of the most recognizable characters in modern television. Riz Ahmed's performance brings nuance and depth to the role, creating a character that resonates with audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Riz Ahmed's work has been recognized with 2 major awards, reflecting the critical acclaim their portrayal has received.
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? Frequently Asked Questions
Riz Ahmed plays Nasir "Naz" Khan, a role that won him an Emmy.
The Night Of is an HBO limited series following a college student accused of murder, tracing his journey through the criminal justice system.
