Mozhan Navabi

Mozhan Navabi is an American actress, writer, and director known for her compelling work across film and television. She first gained attention for her breakout role as Soraya Manutchehri in the 2008 drama The Stoning of Soraya M., a performance that brought international focus to a harrowing human rights story. Since then, she has become a familiar face to television audiences, most notably as Samar Navabi in the long-running NBC series The Blacklist, a role she played from 2013 to 2019 and revisited for a guest arc in 2022.

Navabi's career spans more than three decades of credits, with appearances in acclaimed series like House of Cards and the Netflix limited series Zero Day. She also works behind the camera as a writer and director. In 2024, she returned to using her birth name, Navabi, after years of working under the professional name Mozhan Marnò. Her Instagram presence, where she shares updates on her projects and her advocacy for a free Iran, has earned her a dedicated following of over 180,000. [edit]

Mozhan Navabi was born on May 3, 1980, in Los Angeles County, California, to Iranian-American parents. Growing up in a household that valued storytelling and cultural heritage, she developed an early interest in the arts. She attended a local high school where she participated in theater productions, discovering her passion for acting. After graduating, she pursued a degree in theater, though the specifics of her formal education remain private.

Her professional journey began in 2006 with small roles in television and independent films. She initially adopted the stage name Mozhan Marnò, a choice that reflected her Iranian heritage while also providing a distinct professional identity. Her early credits include guest appearances on shows like Law & Order and House of Cards, where she demonstrated her range and versatility. These formative years were marked by a commitment to her craft, as she took on diverse characters and honed her skills in front of the camera. [edit]

Navabi's breakthrough came in 2008 with the film The Stoning of Soraya M., based on the true story of an Iranian woman executed for adultery. Her portrayal of Soraya was both harrowing and deeply human, earning critical praise and putting her on the map. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, sparked conversations about women's rights and justice in Iran.

Her television career reached new heights in 2013 when she joined the cast of The Blacklist as Samar Navabi, an FBI agent with a Mossad background. The role required extensive research, and Navabi immersed herself in the world of intelligence operations. She remained a series regular until 2019, when her character was written out in a dramatic storyline. She made a surprise return for a guest arc in 2022, much to the delight of fans.

After a brief hiatus, Navabi returned to the screen in 2024 with a guest spot on Law & Order, marking her first credit under her birth name. That same year, she was cast in the Netflix limited series Zero Day, a political thriller starring Robert De Niro. The series, which premiered in 2025, featured Navabi in a recurring role, further cementing her comeback. She has also lent her voice to video games, including World of Warcraft, and continues to develop her own writing and directing projects. [edit]

Navabi is known for her intense, grounded performances and her ability to bring depth to complex characters. In her public appearances, she exudes a quiet confidence and often uses her platform to discuss social and political issues. Her Instagram feed blends professional updates with personal advocacy, particularly around the topic of Iranian freedom. Fans appreciate her authenticity and her willingness to take on challenging roles that go beyond entertainment. [edit]

Mozhan Navabi commands a professional reputation built on dramatic intensity and human rights advocacy rather than the mobilized rituals of a traditional celebrity cult. Her audience, numbering roughly 181,000 followers on Instagram, engages primarily through her work as an actress and writer rather than through organized fan campaigns or collective identity markers often seen in other entertainment sectors. There is no formal name for her supporters, nor are there documented instances of large-scale charity drives or chart pushes orchestrated by a dedicated base. The cultural mythology surrounding her career rests on specific milestones: her breakout performance in *The Stoning of Soraya M.* which brought international focus to her craft, her long tenure as Samar Navabi on *The Blacklist*, and her recent casting in *Zero Day*. These roles define her public image more effectively than any viral moment or crowd-disrupting incident ever could. While she utilizes her platform to discuss political issues regarding Iran, her fanbase remains defined by appreciation for her authentic storytelling rather than the frenetic energy typical of pop culture phenomena. According to the iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluation conducted in August 2026, Mozhan Navabi is currently evaluated but holds no placement within the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. This absence of a numeric rank reflects her status as a respected working artist with significant industry credits who has not yet crossed the threshold into the highest tier of global fame metrics tracked by the system.[edit]

Mozhan Navabi is fluent in both Persian and English, a linguistic duality that informs the nuance of her acting choices across various productions. She actively advocates for human rights, specifically the cause of a free Iran, utilizing her social media presence to raise awareness for these causes. Her Instagram account serves as a blend of professional updates and personal reflections, where she shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work alongside her advocacy efforts. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading and maintains a collection of vintage maps. A defining legend of her career is her portrayal of Soraya Manutchehri in the 2008 film *The Stoning of Soraya M.*, a role widely cited as the catalyst for her international recognition and her reputation for handling civil rights narratives with gravity. Another iconic milestone occurred during her time on *The Blacklist*, where her departure in 2019 marked the end of a six-year run as FBI Agent Samar Navabi. Her return to the series in 2022 for an episode focused on the character Aram was celebrated by viewers as a significant moment, reinforcing her enduring connection to the show's legacy. More recently, her casting in the Netflix limited series *Zero Day* in February 2024 continued her association with high-profile thriller narratives, further cementing her status as a versatile performer capable of anchoring complex stories.[edit]

Navabi was born to Iranian parents who immigrated to the United States. She has spoken publicly about the influence of her family's cultural heritage on her identity and career. While she keeps her personal life private, she has mentioned in interviews that her parents were supportive of her artistic ambitions from a young age. As of 2026, she is not publicly known to be married or have children, and she maintains a low profile regarding her romantic life. [edit]

Mozhan Navabi is associated with her roles in 'The Blacklist' and 'The Stoning of Soraya M.', as well as her advocacy for human rights in Iran. [edit]

Navabi has kept her romantic life largely out of the public eye. There are no confirmed long-term relationships or marriages reported in the media. As of 2026, she appears to be single, focusing on her career and advocacy work. [edit]

As of 2026, research by the iFANN Editorial Team estimates Mozhan Navabi's net worth at $2 Million. Her financial portfolio is anchored by her extensive acting roles in television and film, with her tenure on *The Blacklist* serving as a primary source of earnings during those years. Additional income streams include voice-over work in video games and residuals generated from her film and television appearances. Although she does not maintain major endorsement deals, her consistent employment over three decades has contributed to a stable financial standing.[edit]