RIYADH: A claim circulating in Saudi media and social platforms says American actor Giancarlo Esposito has embraced Islam while working on a production project in Saudi Arabia, though there has been no independent confirmation from the actor or his representatives.
Saudi General Entertainment Authority chief Turki Al-Sheikh said Esposito spent time in the kingdom during the filming of a new project and was influenced by his interactions with Muslim colleagues.
According to Al-Sheikh’s statement, the actor allegedly recited the Islamic declaration of faith and later prayed with members of his production team at a mosque. A video circulating on social media appears to show Esposito and crew members participating in prayer.
The claims have not been independently verified, and Esposito has not publicly commented on the reports.
Social media users widely shared reactions to the footage, while fans of the actor known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and The Mandalorian debated the authenticity of the claims.
Esposito is currently reportedly in Saudi Arabia working on a production titled Seven Dogs, part of the kingdom’s expanding entertainment industry initiatives.