Actor Lucan stars as Hassan in the new show ‘Deli Boys’, a comedic exploration of a Philadelphia-based cocaine trafficking syndicate that cleverly disguises itself under the guise of a deli chain.
In the show, which comprises 10 episodes, viewers witness the dynamics of a power struggle within the organization after the death of Baba Dar (portrayed by Iqbal Theba) in a bizarre golfing accident.
The board faces a dilemma in selecting a successor, weighing the ambitions of the calculating Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan) against the sexist ambitions of Ahmad (Brian George). The board ultimately decides to temporarily appoint Baba’s uninformed sons, Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh), as co-CEOs. However, both men struggle with their newfound responsibilities, much to the delight of Lucan’s character Hassan, who views them as woefully unprepared.
“They’ve been pampered all their lives, entitled,” Lucan explained. “Mir is trying to be like his father, while Raj is easygoing and doesn’t do much of anything.”
Mir, who frequently reminds everyone of his business degree from Drexel University, lacks practical experience in running a business. On the other hand, Raj enjoys a lazy lifestyle, benefiting from their father’s wealth without engaging in the familial operation, although he possesses considerable knowledge about cocaine trafficking.
Throughout the season, viewers watch the transformation of Mir and Raj as they tackle challenges ranging from demanding Peruvian cocaine suppliers to suspicious FBI agents and competing drug gangs.
“It’s really fun and well-written,” Lucan noted. “They allowed us to do some improv, using Indian slang, which made me feel more liberated on this set than any other project I’ve worked on.”
Lucan’s journey into acting has been a challenging one. Initially moving from Pakistan to Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 12, he faced difficulties adjusting. Recalling a teacher’s hurtful remark, he said, “You should go back to where you’re from.” Nevertheless, his family later moved to Atlanta, where he felt a stronger sense of belonging due to a more established South Asian community.
After graduating from Berkmar High School in Lilburn, Lucan pursued a business degree at Mercer University. He started his career as a law clerk and paralegal, but after the dot-com crash in 2000 led to a decline in work opportunities, he decided to take acting classes.
In 2005, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he faced a tough landscape for South Asian actors; roles were often limited to clichés of grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, and terrorists. He fondly remembers a significant role as a henchman in the acclaimed Showtime series ‘Homeland’.
In 2012, Lucan returned to Atlanta, finding it a wonderful environment to raise his three children alongside his wife, who is an executive at Home Depot.
He notes that the landscape for actors of color has improved substantially, sharing his experiences in films like ‘Sully’, where he played a fanboy limo driver, and ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’, in which he portrayed a doctor.
Despite progress, Lucan highlights a current slowdown in local auditions but has been fortunate to receive opportunities in larger markets such as Chicago, L.A., and New York.
With hopes pinned on a second season of ‘Deli Boys’, Lucan looks back fondly on attending his first red carpet event for the show’s screening.
“For a show of this caliber, with the stories being told, I feel like we’ve arrived,” he expressed. “Being backed by Hulu, we’re part of the American fabric.”
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/2025/04/atlanta-actor-ahmed-lucan-finds-home-on-hulus-comedy-deli-boys/
