Biography
May Elghety is an Egyptian actress born in Cairo to writer and TV presenter Mohamed Elghety and writer and media personality Mona Barouma. She began her career at a young age, appearing in television and film before expanding into presenting children’s programs on Egyptian national television.
Her early breakthrough came when she took on the lead role in the musical Badr El Bedour & the Magical Well at the National Theatre in Cairo, where her performance as a singer, dancer, and actress drew critical attention. Shortly after, she gained wider recognition for her role as Bayada in the television series El Kaserat (2013), earning the Best Upcoming Actress award at the Arab Drama Festival. Elghety went on to establish herself as a prominent presence in Egyptian cinema and television, with notable performances in Clash (2016), directed by Mohamed Diab, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and brought her international attention, as well as El Gezira 2. Her work has been recognized by international publications including The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. In 2017, she starred in the short film Nada, portraying a hearing- and speech-impaired dancer, a role that earned her multiple awards across international film festivals in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Alongside her film work, Elghety has appeared in a number of successful television series, becoming a familiar face during the Ramadan season. Her versatility across genres, from drama to psychological thrillers, has contributed to her reputation as one of her generation’s leading actresses.
Her film credits include commercially successful ensemble films such as Banat Thanawy (2020), Ritsa (2021), and Amar 14 (2022), as well as independent projects like Mama (2022) and Kamla (2022), both of which premiered at international film festivals, including the Cairo International Film Festival and the Red Sea International Film Festival. Expanding into international work, Elghety voiced a role in the Disney+ animated anthology Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, appeared in the independent feature Due Dating, and joined the cast of The Mummy, directed by Lee Cronin, marking a key step in her transition into global productions.
Beyond acting, she has been engaged in environmental and social advocacy. In 2024, she was appointed EU Goodwill Ambassador in Egypt for water and climate issues, reflecting her ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. Elghety continues to build an international career across film and television, with projects spanning both the Arab world and global markets.
