23 June,2026 12:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Giancarlo Esposito. Pic via Instagram
Actor Giancarlo Esposito, widely recognised for his memorable performances in acclaimed shows like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and The Boys, has reportedly embraced Islam while filming his upcoming movie 7 Dogs in Saudi Arabia.
The development came to light after a video featuring the actor surfaced online and quickly went viral on social media.
The clip was shared by Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority Chairman, Turki Alalshikh, who claimed that Esposito had recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, during his stay in the country.
In the video shared online, Esposito can be seen inside a mosque alongside members of the film's cast and crew. The actor is also seen participating in prayers with those present.
According to the caption accompanying the video, Esposito's decision reportedly came after he developed a positive impression of the Muslim community while working in Saudi Arabia. The post stated that the actor recited the Shahada and later joined his colleagues in prayer.
The video has since attracted significant attention online, with fans across the world reacting to the reports. However, Esposito has not yet publicly issued a statement regarding the reports or his religious beliefs.
Esposito has enjoyed a celebrated career spanning several decades and is regarded as one of Hollywood's most versatile performers. He is best known for portraying complex and intimidating characters, particularly his fan-favourite role as Gustavo "Gus" Fring in Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul.
The actor has also appeared in popular projects such as The Boys, The Mandalorian, Do the Right Thing and Godfather of Harlem.
Esposito is currently filming 7 Dogs, one of Saudi Arabia's biggest film productions to date. The action thriller is directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah and stars Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz in key roles. Actor Max Huang is also part of the international cast. The film is expected to be one of the most ambitious projects to emerge from the Saudi film industry.
