Rahul Kohli Is The Netflix Star Of Mike Flanagan’s Horrifying Universe, Here’s Why
Since he began making film and television projects, Mike Flanagan has held on to many of the same actors, creating a universe all on its own which fans have lovingly dubbed, The Flanaverse. While many have been repeating collaborators with the director, there’s one, in particular, who has stood out time and time again – Rahul Kohli.
From the actor’s first appearance in The Haunting of Bly Manor to his most recent role in The Fall of the House of Usher, Kohli has brought depth and emotion to each of his characters and solidified himself as a very important member of Flanagan’s troupe.
Rahul Kohli In The Haunting Of Bly Manor
Rahul Kohli was first introduced to the Flanafamily back in 2020’s The Haunting of Bly Manor. The second title to come from the filmmaker’s overall deal with Netflix, it was the spooky follow-up to the uber-successful, The Haunting of Hill House.
In Bly Manor, Kohli appeared as Owen Sharma, the haunted home’s cook who strikes up a relationship with T’Nia Miller’s Hannah Grose. Throughout the one-season show, audiences watch as Owen balances his life on the sprawling grounds with that of taking care of his mother and a budding romance with his co-worker that ends in a shocking revelation.
Through his time in Bly Manor, Rahul Kohli proved to Flanagan and his fandom that he had what it took to be a long-lasting collaborator as he gave Owen a deep-seated center of humanity in the face of ongoing hurt, trauma, and suffering.
Midnight Mass
Rahul Kohli’s next stop in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix empire saw him join the cast of Midnight Mass in what we’d consider to be his best performance overall. Portraying Sheriff Hassan, Kohli’s character in the eerie series was the newcomer on an island filled with life-long inhabitants. Not only did the Sheriff and his son stand out for the obvious reasons of being fresh faces in a sea of old neighbors but they were also two Muslim-practicing men surrounded by staunch Catholics.
Kohli Gave His Best Performance Yet In Midnight Mass
While Midnight Mass still had plenty of the scares that Mike Flanagan is known for, it also weaved in the darker side of religion, with Sheriff Hassan and his son being at the center of some of the hate. As the man tasked with keeping the town together, Rahul Kohli absolutely dominated his role in Midnight Mass and gave both a brave and heartwarming performance when all was said and done.
The Fall Of The House Of Usher
Rahul Kohli’s next (and so far last) full-time role in a Mike Flanagan-helmed series was through last year’s The Fall of the House of Usher. Playing yet another character vastly different from the ones who came before, Kohli appeared as one of the spoiled and selfish children of the Usher dynasty – Napoleon Usher. Blinded by riches and a lavish lifestyle, watching Kohli’s performance as Napoleon spiraled into madness at the paws of a cat was one of the best episodes to come from the critically acclaimed series.
Up Next For Kohli
Now that Mike Flanagan’s deal with Netflix has come to an end, it isn’t completely clear what lies ahead for his next small-screen project. We do, however, know that Rahul Kohli is set to join a handful of collaborators – both new and old – in Flanagan’s upcoming film, The Life of Chuck. Adapted from the Stephen King book of the same name, The Life of Chuck also stars the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Jacob Tremblay, Matthew Lillard, Kate Siegel, and more.
