Ami Sheth is an American actress and model best known for starring as Sana, on the in the dark comedy AMC drama “Dietland” and as Benedita in the American Drama film “Most Beautiful Island.” She currently stars as Afreen on the NBC drama “Blindspot.”
Sheth graduated from Boston University with a degree in Biology and later received her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She has always had a passion for acting and so she took part in many scene studies and on-camera commercial classes during her time in college and after that as well. Since then she has taken roles theatre, film and television shows that has truly made her stand out.
The Knockturnal: We hear your character is getting a more prominent role on the show, tell us about what fans can expect? How excited are you?
Ami Sheth: Season 5 is an exciting roller coaster ride! Afreen steps up in the lab and is more important to the team then ever. We also get to learn more about who she is as a person and her history. It’s very bittersweet as the season is soon coming to an end and I promise that the fans will not be disappointed!
The Knockturnal: Who are your acting inspirations?
Ami Sheth: Ah! Such a tough question – there are so many! I look at women like Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett and am in awe of their craft and longevity in the industry. I also am very inspired by Mindy Kaling, a south asian women (like myself) who has made her own way in the TV and Film world and is a creative powerhouse.
The Knockturnal: Which directors would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Ami Sheth: I recently saw To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway and would love to work with Aaron Sorkin. Ava DuVerney is also a personal directing hero.
The Knockturnal: What do you love about the medium of tv versus film and theater?
Ami Sheth: I love TV and always have. TV has a way of being relatable and intimate. There is something so special about coming into people’s homes and sharing a part of you. I also love how long lived a TV show can be. As an actor the people you work with become family.
The Knockturnal: Can you speak about your decision to not work in veterinary medicine and pursue acting? Do you think you will work in the sciences one day?
Ami Sheth: Veterinary Medicine is a wonderful profession – I always have loved the animals and medicine. Acting for me however was a creative release. I never imagined that I could make a career in acting because growing up I never saw anyone that looked like me in TV/Film. It’s the reason that ethnic diversity is so important. So every child can see someone that looks like them and think “I can do that, too.”
The Knockturnal: Who is an important mentor on your career?
Ami Sheth: I never really had a mentor and always wished I had someone to show me the way to navigate this crazy yet wonderful profession. I am trying to change that for future South Asian actors as a committee member of a NYC group called Kalakars. We hope to foster up and coming talent and help have our stories told.