Akira Akbar

Akira Akbar
Akira Akbar In 2023
Born
Akira Jolie Akbar

(2006-10-02) October 2, 2006 (age 20)
United States
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active2015–present
Known forCaptain Marvel
Bel-Air
We Can Be Heroes

Akira Akbar (born October 2, 2006) is an American actress and model. She began her career as a Child actress, appearing in television series including Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us and Girl Meets World. She gained wider recognition for portraying the young version of Monica Rambeau in the 2019 superhero film Captain Marvel.

Akbar has since appeared in films including We Can Be Heroes (2020) and has had recurring roles as Ashley Banks in the Peacock drama series Bel-Air and Power Book IV: Force.

Early life and education

Akira Jolie Akbar was born on October 2, 2006, in the United States. Her parents are stylist Kitty Wedie and Kenyon Rambo and has three siblings, including actress and model Azari Akbar. Akbar began as a child model before transitioning into acting after her mother noticed her interest in performing and encouraged her to audition for acting roles. While pursuing her acting career, she continued her education, attending a private school.

Career

Akbar began her acting career in 2015 with a guest appearance on the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds. She later went on to land guest-roles in multiple television shows such as, Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us and Good Trouble while also working as a child model before transitioning to television and film full time.

In April 2019, Akbar signed with ICM Partners for representation. That same year, Akbar made her feature film debut as the 11-year-old Monica Rambeau in the Marvel Studios superhero film Captain Marvel, appearing alongside Brie Larson and Lashana Lynch. Her portrayal introduced the younger version of the character, who later became a recurring figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

She later appeared in the Netflix superhero film We Can Be Heroes(2020).

Since 2022, Akbar has portrayed Ashley Banks in Peacock's drama series Bel-Air, a reimagining of the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2019 Captain Marvel Monica Rambeau (11 years old) Feature film
2020 We Can Be Heroes Fast Forward
2022 Love You Anyway Young Mackenzie

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Criminal Minds Daughter Episode: "The Sandman"
2017 Grey's Anatomy Amethyst Vasquez Episode: "Only Mama Knows"
2019 This Is Us Young Beth Episode: "Our Little Island Girl"
2019–2020 Family Reunion Brooke 2 episodes
2021 Good Trouble Kiara 3 episodes
2022–2025 Bel-Air Ashley Banks Main role; 36 episodes

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2022 BET Awards BET YoungStars Award Nominated
2023 Nominated
2024 Nominated
2025 America's Rainbow Film Festival Pride Award – Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Series/Mini Series Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Akira Akbar Birthday". National Today. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  2. ↑ "From Marvel to Bel-Air: Akira Akbar Is Just Getting Started". Vocal media. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  3. ↑ "Akira Akbar (Pibe Magazine)". MODELS.com. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
  4. ↑ "MOOD Magazine | Akira Akbar". MOOD Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
  5. ↑ "Netflix's Akira Akbar Starring In "We Can Be Heroes" | Vulkan Magazine". vulkanmagazine.com. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  6. ↑ Wanjiru, Ellen J. (2021-09-14). "Peacock Announces Main Cast For Drama Series 'BEL-AIR'". blackfilm.com. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  7. ↑ Lyons, Sierra (2022-03-31). "Akira Akbar: Making the Role of Ashley Banks Her Own". Black Girl Nerds. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  8. ↑ Mbuthia, Mercy (January 12, 2022). "Akira Akbar's biography: age, height, parents, movies and TV shows". Legit.ng. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Interview with Captain Marvel and This Is Us actress Akira Akbar". Naluda Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Akira Akbar". 1883 Magazine. March 16, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2026. For 1883 Magazine, Akira sat down with us over zoom to discuss her role as Ashley Banks in Peacock's Bel-Air, the relationship with her castmates, working with Coco Jones and Cassandra Freeman, and much more.
  11. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (February 7, 2019). "'This Is Us' Casts Young & Teen Beth; Carl Lumbly To Play Her Father". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  12. ↑ Džaferović, Erna; ernadzaferovic (2021-05-05). "A cosmic youth with Akira Akbar". French Fries Magazine — FF. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  13. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (12 April 2019). "'Captain Marvel' Actress Akira Akbar Signs With ICM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Monica Rambeau Actress Akira Akbar LIVE from the Captain Marvel Red Carpet Premiere!". Marvel.com. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  15. ↑ Perry, Spencer (22 January 2021). "Teyonah Parris Studied Captain Marvel Young Monica Rambeau Actor for WandaVision Role". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  16. ↑ Stinson, Katherine (2022-02-18). "'Bel-Air' Star Akira Akbar Also Played a Key Role in 'Captain Marvel'". Distractify. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  17. ↑ Barfield, Charles (2020-11-19). "'We Can Be Heroes' Teaser: Robert Rodriguez Builds His Superhero Universe In Netflix's Family Film". The Playlist. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  18. ↑ Roberts, Kayleigh (2021-01-10). "Akira Akbar On Her Dream Superpower And Finding Confidence". Girls' Life. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  19. ↑ Vo, Thao (2020-12-13). "Akira Akbar on Her Role in Netflix's Upcoming Film, 'We Can Be Heroes'". SHEEN Magazine. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
  20. ↑ "Introducing Bel-Air: How a Fresh Prince Fan Trailer Became a Reimagined Story for a New Generation". Teen Vogue. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "BET Awards 2022: Meet the Young Star Nominees Taking the Entertainment Industry by Storm". BET. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "The Nominees for BET Awards 2023 Are Here!". BET. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "Drake Tops the List of Nominees for BET Awards 2024 With Seven Nods". BET. Retrieved 31 July 2026.