May Calamawy

Biography

May Calamawy is a trailblazing Egyptian-Palestinian actress who has rapidly ascended to global stardom. Born and raised in Bahrain to an Egyptian father and a Palestinian-Jordanian mother, she spent her formative years across the Middle East and the United States. Though she initially studied industrial design at her father’s request, she eventually followed her passion for acting, graduating from Emerson College and training at the prestigious William Esper Studio in New York. She first gained major critical recognition for her role as Dena Hassan in the Hulu series Ramy, where her performance was praised for its relatable and nuanced portrayal of the modern Arab-American experience. In 2022, May made history in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Layla El-Faouly (Scarlet Scarab) in Moon Knight, becoming the first Arab and Egyptian superhero in the franchise. Her background in independent cinema and her ability to bring emotional depth to high-concept genre pieces have made her a sought-after talent for both television and film. To be honest, her journey is deeply personal—she has been open about her experience with alopecia, which was even written into her character's storyline in Ramy. As of 2026, she is further cementing her status as a powerhouse performer, starring in Lee Cronin’s highly anticipated reimagining of The Mummy and appearing in the blockbuster sequel Gladiator II.