Roxie Mohebbi's advice is simple: take the leap and start your journey towards becoming who you're meant to be. The New Zealand-Middle Eastern actor is a firm believer in embracing one’s destiny. Her lifelong passion for storytelling led her from neonatal nursing to a full plunge into the arts — because when the call of artistry rings, there’s no ignoring it.

From being cast as Cinderella in Mohebbi's local Youth Theatre production of Cinders, to her leading role in the original Stan series Critical Incident, it's safe to say she has embraced her destiny as an actor. Despite living an extraordinary life in artistry, Mohebbi is as down to earth as it gets. With a love for fun hats and watching films, her mum stands out as her greatest inspiration.

From the moment she slipped into Cinderella's glass slippers for her local youth theatre, to commanding the screen in Critical Incident, Roxie Mohebbi has been crafting her own fairytale.

Below, we speak with Mohebbi on growing up, and how she felt challenged in playing a police officer in her latest acting role.

You have mentioned previously that there were moments from your childhood that sparked your interest in acting. Can you talk about these experiences and how they shaped your journey?

In the wee town I grew up in (Nelson), I got cast as Cinderella in the Nelson Youth Theatre production of Cinders. It was my first go at acting and I GOT TO BE Cinderella which to a little brown mouse was huge news in the noughties. I think doing that unlocked something in me that I could never reverse. Being on stage doing a pantomime which had music and drag and so much colour just set off my love for performing.

Growing up in New Zealand as Middle Eastern and seeing a lack of representation on screen, how did this impact your decision to pursue acting?

It was the driving force. There was nothing that could motivate me more honestly. These barriers exist for all POC and each generation of artists gets to take their best swing to try to knock some of them down, so hopefully I can look back on my career and go – yeah, good aim.

You initially worked as a neonatal nurse. What made you decide to switch careers and pursue acting?

Storytelling and artistry live at the heart of my culture and I was raised feeling proud of that so it was always something I felt compelled by. My parents are so playful too and always, always encouraged creativity. The decision to go into nursing came out of a sensibility informed by the lack of access to opportunity I had, and the switch happened because you can't escape your fate! And that's not to say I regret nursing or any of the life I lived before because it undoubtedly gave me the depth of character to be able to do this work.

When you aren’t filming on set, what would we most likely catch you doing?

I love dancing! So much! And going to see music / seeing artists do their art. I also love buying fun hats and watching films.

Your character in Critical Incident is a conflicted police officer, torn between right and wrong. How did you approach the portrayal of this character?

I definitely felt challenged by playing a police officer given I grew up in communities that were hurt by 'over-policing' – so I consciously worked on never judging her for starters. Sandra is (in my humble opinion) such a great character because she is so competent at her job but she is also deeply street smart and comes from a life that you could say contradicts becoming a cop as well. It was definitely a challenge to find the balance at times but the writing was so nuanced that it honoured that dichotomy.

What has been your favourite part about working on Critical Incident?

The communities! And locations we filmed at. It was such a joy that my intro to Sydney was all in the greater west where I got to see Sydney's beautiful individuality and multiculturalism. There was one day that we were shooting next to a Persian sandwich store and the woman working the counter asked what I was doing and I told her – to which she replied that she was really proud of me. Heart burst! (I cried, obviously).

What are your top three favourite movies?

Ok huge question. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (Iranian film-noir vampire-ess western), Eagle vs. Shark (NZ reppin) and not a film but in relevance to Critical Incident – The One Four documentary Against All Odds was incredible.

Who is your hero or a role model that you look up to?

Straight up my Mum, no one can top her. She has a twinkle in her eye and I was lucky enough to get it.

If you could play any character – real, fictional, or historical – who would it be?

I would love to play James Bond (or be a Bond villain). Like Rami Malek, but me.

Alongside acting, you’re also a model. Have you found any similarities between the two?

I definitely wouldn't call myself a model, I think I found my way into fashion in NZ because the industries are inevitably connected because it's a small place. But they are two completely different crafts and I think the commercialisation of Hollywood has taken away from the 'thespianism' of acting to a degree. But I do think film and fashion make lovely sisters and can hold space for each other.

What advice would you give to someone from a similar background who might be considering acting as a career?

Start today. It is going to be so hard and confusing a lot of the time but if you're an artist you can't escape the call of it. Finding good community is crucial and finally knowing that our stories are so beautiful and colourful so telling them is a gift to the world! So, chop chop.

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