Sarah Hassan, OGW (born 5 September 1988) is a Kenyan actress, producer, director and former TV host. She is notable for her roles in television series such as Crime and Justice, Tahidi High, The Wedding Show and Zora and films that include the Nigerian-Kenyan romantic comedy Plan B and Family Vacation. Hassan also features in DSTv's show, Zari, as Nina.
Her awards include Best Actress (2014) for the short film Now That You're Here; Best TV Host (2014) at the Kalasha Awards (Discovery+ 254); Best East African Journalist (2015) at the Swahili Fashion Week (Mashariki Mix and Maisha Max); Best Actress at the Kalasha Awards in 2019 (Plan B); and again in 2021 (Crime and Justice). In 2022, alongside Willy Paul, she was a Brand Ambassador for OPPO's Reno 8 phone series. She is currently the Brand Ambassador for Dettol Skincare.
Early life Sarah Hassan was born on September 5, 1988 in Mombasa, Kenya as the only child of her parents. She started acting at the age of five. For her secondary school education, she went to Machakos Girls' High School and later attended Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, where she pursued a Bachelors of Science in Actuarial Science. She later on went to study Television and Film at the New York Film Academy in 2016.
Career Hassan made her debut on TV in 2009 as Tanya, on the Kenyan high school drama series Tahidi High and became one of the lead characters at the time. She also starred in several series such as Demigods, Saints, and Changes and even went on to host the East African dance show Sakata Mashariki. In 2013 she took over Noni Gathoni's role in The Wedding Show as the main host until December 2014.
Hassan was a lead producer for 40 Sticks which won several awards. Through her own production company, Alfajiri Productions, she has produced Plan B in 2019, Reflections—a short film and Just In Time. In 2018, while in Los Angeles after her studies, she also wrote, directed and produced a film, The Company You Keep.
In August 2024, Netflix released Family Vacation, a Kenyan drama co-directed by Voline Ogutu and Edwin Kamau, in which Hassan stars as an internet influencer who tries to save her marriage and family.
Besides acting, she is a brand ambassador to several Kenyan fashion lines. She is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya.
During the 61st Jamhuri Day celebrations in December 2024, Sarah Hassan got a Presidential Award for her contributions to the film industry. She was awarded an Order of the Grand Warrior (O.G.W) of Kenya recognition. This entitles her to add the initials of the honor after her name.
Personal life Sara Hassan married Martin Dale on February 25, 2017 and together they have a son.
Filmography YearTitle Role Notes2007Nefertiti and the Lost Dynasty Debut2009Tahidi HighTanyaWon—Chaguo la Teeniez Awards2010DemigodsKamilaSupporting role 2011SaintsLoraFilm castSakataHerselfHostChangesLizaFilm cast2013House of Lungula Chichi Film cast2014–presentJane & AbelLeahMain cast2014Live or Die Catwoman Film castNow That You're Here Katherine Short film2015–presentDiscovery +254Herself Film cast 26 episodesHow to Find a HusbandCarolLead roleMaisha MaxHostReality show2019 Plan B Lisa Main cast 2021Just In TimeMuthoniMain castZoraZoraLead role2021-2022Crime and JusticeDetective MakenaLead role2023ZariNinaMain Cast2024Family VacationYara MalekiLead role
Nominations and awards Year Award Category Show ResultRef2011Chaguo la Teeniez AwardsBest ActressTahidi High2013 Kalasha International Film and TV Awards Best Supporting Actress House of Lungula 2015 Kalasha International Film and TV Awards Discovery +254 Best TV Hosts 2018Festigious International Film Festival 2018Best ActressThe Company You Keep2018L.A Shorts Awards 2018Best Actress Silver AwardThe Company You Keep2018L.A Shorts Awards 2018Best Short Film Silver AwardThe Company You Keep2019Kalasha International Film and TV AwardsBest ActressPlan B 2021Kalasha International Film and TV AwardsBest Actress in a TV DramaCrime and Justice 2021Kalasha International Film and TV AwardsBest Actress in a FilmJust In Time 2022Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Actress in A ComedyJust In TimeBest Movie East AfricaBest Movie Overall
References
External links
Official website