Nazneen Contractor (born August 26, 1982) is an Indian actress known for her role as Layla Hourani on CBC's The Border, Zara Hallam on Ransom and as Kayla Hassan on 24 in 2010. She also guest-starred in the Letterkenny International Women’s Day special as Professor Tricia. Since 2024, she has been recurring as District Attorney Justine Turner on General Hospital.
Early life Contractor was born in Bombay to Parsi parents. She and her family moved to Nigeria when she was 7 and finally settled in Toronto, where she spent the majority of her childhood and young adulthood.
Personal life After the Canadian drama series The Border finished production in 2009, she moved to Los Angeles and married British-born actor Carlo Rota on April 1, 2010. They have a son and a daughter.
Relatives
Nazneen Contractor is a granddaughter of Meher Rustom Contractor (1918–1992), an Indian puppeteer and author.
Indian cinematographer, photographer, and author Navroze Contractor (1944–2023) was Nazneen's uncle.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Director(s) Notes 2006 We R Friends Jaidev Chakraborty Drama Film 2008 Thursday Market Mariyah Short film 2011 Seance the Summoning Eva Alex Wright Horror thriller film 2013 Star Trek Into Darkness Rima Harewood J.J. Abrams Science fiction film Reel Life Maddy Laurence Relton Short film 2014 Parts Per Billion Justine Prest Brian Horiuchi Romantic film 2017 Roman J. Israel, Esq. Melina Nassour (Ass't. D.A.) Dan Gilroy Crime drama film 2021 Trigger Point Janice Carmichael Brad Turner Action thriller film Spiral Chada Darren Lynn Bousman Horror thriller film
Television Year Title Role Notes 2000 Starhunter Ire Episode: "Siren's Song" 2001 Relic Hunter Princess Alia Episode: "The Star of Nadir" 2002 The Matthew Shepard Story Shima Made-for-TV movie directed by Roger Spottiswoode 2002–03 Street Time Various 4 episodes 2006 The Papdits Sita Papdit Made-for-TV movie directed by Niall Downing 2008 Othello the Tragedy of the Moor Bianca Made-for-TV movie directed by Zaib Shaikh 2008–09 The Border Layla Hourani Main role 2010 Love Letters Melissa Made-for-TV movie directed by Tim Southam Rules of Engagement Suneetha 4 episodes 24 Kayla Hassan Recurring role Lone Star Sarah Episode: "Pilot" 2011 The Paul Reiser Show Kuma D'Bu 3 episodes 2012 Pegasus vs. Chimera Princess Philony Made-for-TV movie directed by John Bradshaw XIII: The Series Elsy Episode: "Battlezone" Last Resort Reena Kapur Episode: "Cinderella Liberty" 2013–14 Revenge Jess 2 episodes 2014 Bones Sari Nazeri Episode: "The Source in the Sludge" Person of Interest Maria Martinez Episode: "Allegiance" Covert Affairs Sydney/Stephanie Recurring role 2015 Scorpion Sima/Fatima Episode: "Charades" Castle Layla Nazif Episode: "Private Eye Caramba!" Stalker Adele Marshall Episode: "The News" Dying Light Jade (voice) 9 episodes Satisfaction 2 episodes The 46 Percenters Kiri Made-for-TV movie directed by Andy Ackerman Heroes Reborn Farah Recurring role 2016 The Carmichael Show Fahmida Episode: "New Neighbors" Chicago P.D. Dawn Harper Episode: "Justice" 2017 Tiny House of Terror Jackie Made-for-TV movie directed by Paul Shapiro Major Crimes Nancy Ryan Recurring role Starhunter Redux Episode: "Siren's Song (Redux)" 2017–18 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Riya Dashti/Blindstrike, various others (voice) Main role 2017–19 Ransom Zara Hallam Main role 2018 Hawaii Five-0 Emma Warren Episode "Aia i Hi'ikua; i Hi'ialo" 2018–20 Star Wars Resistance Synara San (voice) Recurring role 2019 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Nahla Nasar Episode: "Assumption" Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures Daavan Dut (voice) Episode: "A Gollywood Wedding" 2019–20 The Loud House Ruby (voice) 2 episodes 2020 The Christmas Ring Kendra Adams Made-for-TV Movie directed by Troy Scott The Expanse Ashanti Avasarala Episode: "Churn" 2021 A Winter Getaway Courtney Made-for-TV Movie directed by Steven R. MonroeStillwater Queen Tortoise/Hedgehog Guest 1 Episode: "The Unexpected Gift/Celebration Song" 2022 The Perfect Pairing Cristina Made-for-TV Movie directed by Don McBrearty FreakAngels Sirkka 9 episodes Letterkenny Professor Tricia Episode: "Letterkenny Celebrates International Women's Day" Charmed Inara 3 episodes Scentsational Christmas Ellie Made-for-TV Movie directed by Robert Vaughn 2022–25 Children Ruin Everything Dawn Regular supporting role 2024 Love on the Danube: Love Song Sarah Matthews Made-for-TV movie directed by Terry Ingram Holidazed Stacey Miniseries 2024–Present General Hospital Justine Turner Recurring Role 2025 The Love Club Nila 4 episodes Criminal Minds Michelle Episode: "Tara" Heartland Taya Miller Episode: "Suspicious Minds" NCIS FBI Senior Agent Beth Rollins Episode: "Gone Girls" Boston Blue District Attorney, Nadra Ali Episode: "Collateral Damage"
Podcast Year Title Role Notes 2024 The Seneschal Voice
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2015 Dying Light Jade / various others (voice) 2023 Diablo IV Lord of Hatred DLC (voice) MythForce Maggie
References
External links
Article about Nazneen from the University of Toronto magazine