# Tala Ashe

Talayeh Ashrafi (Persian: طلایه اشرفی; born July 24, 1984) known professionally as Tala Ashe, is an Iranian-American actress. She is known for her roles on the television series Smash, American Odyssey, and As the World Turns, as well as her regular role as Zari Tomaz and Zari Tarazi on The CW superhero series Legends of Tomorrow.

## Early life and education

Ashe was born in Tehran, Iran. She immigrated to the United States when she was nine months old. Ashe grew up in Powell, Ohio, just outside of the state capital Columbus. She participated in her high school theatre productions as both an actress and director.
Ashe received a BFA from Boston University's School of Theatre. She also trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City.

## Career

Ashe has performed in numerous regional and Off-Broadway stage productions. Ashe's first screen credit is for her role as Nadia in the 2008 film Waiting in Beijing. She was credited as Tala Ashrafi, but is credited as Tala Ashe in all subsequent roles. She has made guest appearances on the series Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 30 Rock, and Covert Affairs. Ashe has also had recurring roles on Smash and American Odyssey. She was also a cast member on As the World Turns.
In 2017, Ashe joined the main cast of Legends of Tomorrow as Zari Tomaz. She took the lead for a bottle episode titled "Here I Go Again" and drew praise from critics and fans alike for her performance.

## Personal life

Ashe is Iranian-American and holds dual citizenship. Her name, Talayeh, means "pioneer" in Persian and comes from the Shahnameh. In addition to English, she speaks fluent Persian. Along with her fellow Arrowverse actresses, Ashe is a founding member of Shethority, a project aimed at inspiring and uplifting women (inclusively defined).

## Filmography

Television and film roles :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2008 | Waiting in Beijing | Nadia | Film; credited as Tala Ashrafi |
| 2008 | Law & Order | Madison | Episode: "Angelgrove" |
| 2008 | As the World Turns | Ameera Ali Aziz | Recurring role, 26 episodes |
| 2011 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Rebecca Landon | Episode: "Cyber-War" |
| 2012 | Smash | R.J. Quigley | Recurring role (season 1), 6 episodes |
| 2015 | American Odyssey | Anna Stone | Recurring role, 7 episodes |
| 2017–2022 | Legends of Tomorrow | Zari Tomaz and Zari Tarazi | Main role (season 3–7), 74 episodes |
| 2024 | The Girls on the Bus | Althea Abdi | Recurring role |

## Stage

In addition to the following, Ashe has also performed in productions of Love's Labour's Lost (as Tala Ashrafi; Huntington Theatre Company), Age of Innocence (New York Arena), Autophagy (Drama League Director's Project), Twelfth Night (Actors' Shakespeare Project), and Pearls from Salt (Olney Theatre), among others.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | Aftermath | Naimah | Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City |
| 2010 | Welcome to Arroyo's | Lelly Santiago | Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, California |
| 2011 | Again and Against | Dahlia | LAByrinth Summer Intensive, New York |
| 2011 | Urge for Going | Jamila | The Public Theater, New York City |
| 2012 | Troilus and Cressida | Cressida, Cassandra | Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon |
| 2012 | The Very Merry Wives of Windsor, Iowa | Anne Page | Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon |
| 2014 | The Who & the What | Mahwish | Claire Tow Theater, New York City |
| 2015 | Head over Heels | Philoclea | Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon |
| 2015 | The Happiest Song Plays Last | Shar | Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon |
| 2016 | Troilus and Cressida | Helen, Andromache | Delacorte Theater, New York City |
| 2017 | The Profane | Emina | Playwrights Horizons, New York City |
| 2022 | English | Elham | Atlantic Theater Company, New York City |
| 2025 | English | Elham | Roundabout Theatre Company, New York City |