Scene from The Bisexual / TV series (2018)

Alternate Names: Desiree Akhaven, 戴思睿·阿卡万

Physical Characteristics: N/A

First Appearances:

• Nose Job (2011) as Director

Most Important Roles:

• Appropriate Behavior (2015) as Shirin
• The Circuit (2016) as Angie
• Creep 2 (2017) as Sara
• Dykes, Camera, Action! (2018) as Self

Career Highlights:

• Appropriate Behavior (2015)
• The Circuit (2016)
• Creep 2 (2017)
• Dykes, Camera, Action! (2018)

Desiree Akhavan, an American filmmaker and screenwriter of Iranian descent, gained recognition for her directorial debut, 'Appropriate Behavior' (2014). She also directed 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' in 2018. Her work often explores themes of identity and struggle with societal expectations, as seen in the character Shirin from 'Appropriate Behavior', who struggles to fit into various identities.

First Appearances:

• Girls' Night (1998) as Sharon

Most Important Roles:

• The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (2007) as Self
• Girls' Night (1998) as Sharon
• Where We Used to Meet (2021) as
• Dance First (2023) as Barbara
• Words of War (2025) as Anna Politkovskaya
• Clubbed (2008) as Angela
• The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (2010) as Anne Lister
• The Real Anne: Unfinished Business (2022) as Self- Presenter
• I Am Bob (2007) as Marilyn Monroe Lookalike/Compere's Assistant
• Christmas Lights (2004) as Pauline

Career Highlights:

• The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (2007)
• Girls' Night (1998)
• Where We Used to Meet (2021)
• Dance First (2023)
• Words of War (2025)
• Clubbed (2008)
• The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (2010)
• The Real Anne: Unfinished Business (2022)
• I Am Bob (2007)
• Christmas Lights (2004)

Maxine Peake, born on July 14, 1974, is an English actress known for her roles in stage, film, and television. She rose to prominence playing Twinkle in Victoria Wood's sitcom 'Dinnerladies'. Her notable TV roles include Veronica in 'Shameless', Martha Costello in 'Silk', and Grace Middleton in 'The Village'. Peake has also portrayed the title role in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' on stage, and appeared in films like 'The Theory of Everything', 'Funny Cow', and Mike Leigh's 'Peterloo'.