Lucky 7 — an hour-long drama about seven gas station employees in Queens, New York, who win the lottery — premieres on ABC tonight at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. Actress Summer Bishil plays Samira Lashari, one of the lucky employees who hit the jackpot. Her character is a clerk of Pakistani origin. Here’s everything you wanted to know about one of primetime television’s new faces:
You’ve Probably Seen Her Before…
Bishil’s big break was her turn as Jasira in 2007’s acclaimed Towelhead. The role earned her the title of “One to Watch” in the 2008 Young Hollywood Awards and a Best Actress nomination at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards.
But That’s Not All…
Bishil was later handpicked by M. Night Shyamalan to play Princess Azula in his infamously panned live-action adaptation of The Last Airbender. In fact, had the film fared better in the box office, Shyamalan had mapped out a darker sequel featuring Bishil’s princess as the main antagonist.
She’s Really Named Summer
Not to be confused with her sister, Sunshine.
She Grew Up in Bahrain…
…after her parents heard how great Bahrain was. Although she was born in Pasadena, she ended up going to The British School of Bahrain and The Bahrain School.
She Once Played a Dinosaur Tail
One of her first stage experiences was playing the tail end of a dinosaur. “I got really sick, and I puked everywhere on the first night. It was terrible,” recalled Bishil.
Check out the Lucky 7 trailer below.
http://youtu.be/XKZifrUKXJk
G.B. doesn’t stand for Gareth Bale. It might stand for Graduated, Barely (from law school). After spending time in Texas and Pennsylvania, he now lives in Northern California where he makes gifs and watches a lot of TV, movies and sports.