Hisham discovered his passion for the arts while performing the poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Poet Laureate Maya Angelou, in a high school English class. Hisham studied at the world renowned Negro Ensemble Theatre Company, which has brought forth such notable actors as Denzel Washington, Ossie Davis, and Phylicia Rashad. He also studied with acting coach Susan Batson, who is known for coaching actors such as Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, and more recently Mary T. Boyer. Hisham says, "As an actor, just like a human being, evolution and education is infinite." Throughout his career, Hisham continues to call on his life experiences and training to inform his choices as an actor and an artist, be it as a Marine in Desert Storm, corrections officer in Sing Sing or as one of New York's bravest firefighters. Hisham recently snagged a series regular role on BET's groundbreaking 1 hour drama, "Gun Hill" starring Larenz Tate, Tawny Cypress, and Aisha Hinds. As Capt. Sanford, Hisham commands a counter-crime task force. Hisham has also starred in the FX drama "Lights Out," NBC dramas "Law & Order SVU," "Law & Order Criminal Intent," "Kings" and "The Guiding Light." Most recently, Hisham has won over audiences as James Spader's Raymond Reddington's right hand man, Dembe, on NBC's hit "The Blacklist." Hisham Tawfiq is going from Harlem to Hollywood.