Casting director Seth Yanklewitz faced unique challenges in assembling the cast for Hulu’s new series Deli Boys. The show, which centers on two Pakistani-American brothers navigating the fallout from their father’s sudden death, required authentic Pakistani and Northern Indian Muslim actors to bring the story to life.
Unlike traditional casting methods that start with attaching a celebrity lead, Yanklewitz had to build the cast from the ground up due to the show’s cultural specificity. “We had to dig deep into the community,” Yanklewitz explains, revealing how he and his team searched through local restaurants and stores in neighborhoods with significant Pakistani and Northern Indian populations. They even expanded their audition process by asking actors if they had relatives who could also audition, creating a close-knit ensemble that reflects the show’s authenticity.
Creator Abdullah Saeed emphasized authenticity, giving the casting team freedom to broaden their search. This flexibility allowed them to consider actors slightly outside the originally envisioned ethnic backgrounds, with script adjustments made to accommodate strong performances.
The lead roles of Mir and Raj, the brothers entangled in an illegal drug empire, posed a particular challenge. After auditioning actors across North America and India, Asif Ali was cast as Mir, while Saagar Shaikh, who initially auditioned for the same role, was cast as Raj due to his compelling performance.
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An unexpected yet inspired casting choice was Poorna Jagannathan as Lucky, the consigliere. Originally written as a male character, Lucky’s role was rewritten as female to increase female representation in the series. Jagannathan, known for her role in Never Have I Ever, perfectly balances the character’s toughness and warmth, delivering both humor and depth.
Yanklewitz, whose extensive credits include The Hangover, Eastbound & Down, and How I Met Your Father, values actors who bring strong, clear choices to their roles. “When actors come in with a point of view and an understanding of the material, it’s infectious,” he says, highlighting the collaborative nature of his work.
