May Calamawy (born October 28, 1986) is an Egyptian-Palestinian actress and filmmaker. Gaining international recognition for her sharp, empathetic portrayal of Dena Hassan in Hulu’s award-winning comedy-drama Ramy, Calamawy made global superhero history in 2022 by starring as Layla El-Faouly (the Scarlet Scarab) alongside Oscar Isaac in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Moon Knight, becoming the MCU’s first Arab female superhero.
Early Life, Cross-Cultural Heritage & Acting Training
Born in Bahrain to an Egyptian father and a Palestinian mother, Calamawy grew up in a multilingual, multicultural household, living between Bahrain, Houston, and Boston. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting at Emerson College in Boston and studying at the William Esper Studio in New York, she dedicated herself to breaking ethnic and gender stereotypes in Hollywood.
Ramy, Marvel’s Moon Knight & Gladiator II
Her breakthrough role in Ramy earned widespread critical praise for its authentic, complex exploration of modern Arab-American womanhood. In 2022, her performance in Marvel’s Moon Knight captivated global audiences, portraying an intelligent, fearless archaeologist who becomes the superhero avatar of the Egyptian goddess Taweret. She was subsequently cast in Ridley Scott’s monumental historical epic Gladiator II (2024). Calamawy is also a passionate advocate for alopecia awareness, having lived with the autoimmune condition since childhood.
