Honestly, if you haven’t spent the last few years obsessively following Rahul Kohli’s career, you’ve probably at least seen his face. He’s basically become the internet’s favorite "nerd-king-turned-prestige-actor." But there’s a weird gap in how people talk about him. Some only know him as the pun-loving chef in a cardigan from The Haunting of Bly Manor, while others are still stuck in the 2015 era of "Ravi from iZombie."
The truth? Rahul Kohli TV shows have evolved into something way more complex than just "that guy from the zombie show."
Since 2021, Kohli has transitioned from being a reliable CW supporting actor into a powerhouse of dramatic horror and voice acting. He’s become the secret weapon for directors like Mike Flanagan and a massive voice in the gaming world. If you think you know his range because you saw him do a fake autopsy once, you’re missing the best parts of the story.
The Flanagan Era: More Than Just Jump Scares
Most fans will tell you that the real shift happened when Kohli joined the "Flanagan Repertory Company." This wasn't just a career move; it was a total rebranding.
In The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020), he played Owen Sharma. People loved Owen because he was "pure." He wore bad puns on his apron and loved Hannah Grose with a quiet, devastating patience. But then came Midnight Mass (2021). That show changed everything.
As Sheriff Hassan, Kohli had to play a man who was an outsider in two ways: he was the only Muslim in a hyper-Catholic town, and he was the law in a place that didn't want him. It was stoic. It was heavy. It was a massive departure from the "quirky best friend" energy of his earlier work. Kohli himself has talked about how people would ask his castmates about their favorite vampire movies while they asked him about Islamophobia and Black Lives Matter. He didn't just play a role; he handled a "political hot potato" with a level of nuance that honestly should have won him an Emmy.
Then he flipped the script again for The Fall of the House of Usher (2023). Playing Napoleon "Leo" Usher, he was a drug-addled, wealthy video game socialite. It was loud, messy, and frantic.
Recent and Upcoming TV Roles (2024–2026)
If you’re trying to keep up with what he’s doing right now in 2026, the list is getting long. He’s currently starring in the series We Were Liars as Ed Patil, a role that leans back into his ability to play "grounded but complicated."
But the big news for this year is his involvement in the upcoming Carrie series. Yes, another Stephen King adaptation, and yes, another collaboration with Mike Flanagan. At this point, they’re basically the Scorsese and De Niro of Netflix horror.
Beyond the live-action stuff, his voice is everywhere. You’ve probably heard him and didn’t even realize it:
- The Mighty Nein (2025): He voiced Verrat, bringing that deep, textured tone to the Critical Role universe.
- Twilight of the Gods (2024): He played Egill in Zack Snyder's Norse epic.
- Harley Quinn: He was the voice of Scarecrow (Jonathan Crane), proving he can do the "unhinged villain" thing just as well as the "sweet chef" thing.
Why Everyone Thought He Was Mr. Fantastic
We have to talk about the "Reed Richards" thing. For about three years, you couldn't scroll through Twitter without seeing a fan-edit of Rahul Kohli with grey temples and a Fantastic Four suit.
It became one of the biggest fan-casts in history. People were convinced he was down to the wire against Pedro Pascal.
But at New York Comic Con 2024, Kohli finally leveled with everyone. He basically said, "Look, I did a tape. That’s it." He never heard back. He wasn't the runner-up. He was just a guy who did an audition that didn't go anywhere. It’s a classic example of how the internet creates a narrative that doesn't actually exist in the real Hollywood rooms. He’s fine with it, though. He’s busy making original characters like Arjun Devraj in the new PlayStation 5 game Saros (which just dropped in March 2026).
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The "iZombie" Legacy: Why Ravi Still Matters
Even with all the prestige horror on his resume, iZombie is the foundation. He played Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti for 71 episodes.
Most actors would have phoned in a role on a "bubble show" (a show constantly on the verge of cancellation). Kohli didn't. He actually went to a morgue and watched autopsies to prepare. He took a character who was supposed to be much older and turned him into a pop-culture-obsessed, fiercely loyal medical examiner.
It’s also where he started breaking down barriers for South Asian actors. Ravi wasn't a stereotype. He wasn't the "IT guy." He was a doctor, a hero, and the emotional heart of the show. Kohli has been very vocal about wanting to play "neutral" characters—characters where their ethnicity is just a fact, not the entire plot point.
What to Watch Right Now
If you're looking to dive into the best Rahul Kohli TV shows, don't just go in chronological order. Mix it up to see the range:
- Midnight Mass: For the acting chops. The "monologue" scenes in this are basically a masterclass.
- iZombie: For the comfort-watch. His chemistry with Robert Buckley (Major) is legendary.
- The Fall of the House of Usher: For when you want to see him play someone who is definitely not a "nice guy."
- Death and Other Details: He played Sunil Bhandari in this 2024 murder mystery, which felt like a cool throwback to classic whodunnits.
Kohli has survived the "one-hit-wonder" trap of being a CW star. He did it by leaning into his nerdiest interests (Warhammer 40k, Star Wars, gaming) while taking on some of the most depressing, heavy-hitting scripts in modern television.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you've finished his Netflix catalog, check out his voice work in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun or look for the physical release of Next Exit. Also, keep an eye on the Carrie production updates throughout 2026—it’s shaping up to be his most intense role yet.