Interview with Hamza Haq and Joseph Kay

TV Interview!

 

Screencaps of "Transplant" star Hamza Haq and showrunner Joseph Kay

Interview with Hamza Haq and Joseph Kay of “Transplant” on NBC by Suzanne

I love this Canadian show, so I’m very glad to see it back on my TV screen! The writing and acting are just so good… The stories grab you and surprise you. The actors are very committed. I’m sad it’s ending, but please do enjoy these videos and the season 4 premiere this Thursday, May 22 on NBC and then on Peacock. There are two new episodes! More Details below. I apologize because when I interviewed Hamza Haq, I didn’t record it (I thought I did), so I used the backup provided by NBC. They only had speaker view for our Zoom call, not gallery view, like I usually use. That was my fault, not theirs.

Joseph Kay Interview 5/20/25

Hamza Haq Interview 5/21/25

 

TRANSPLANT -- Pictured: "Transplant" Key Art -- (Photo by: NBCUniversal)MORE INFO: Official NBC Site | Peacock Site | CTV Site  |  Catch Up Video |  Facebook Trailer

Transplant

Transplant Season 4 Premieres Thursday, May 22 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) 

Season 4 of “Transplant” finds Bashir “Bash” Hamed on the precipice of finishing his residency at York Memorial and officially requalifying as a doctor. With his future uncertain once again, Bash and his sister, Amira, are Canadian citizens now, but are still trying, with everything they have, to build a life in their adopted country.

The series stars Hamza Haq, Laurence Leboeuf, Ayisha Issa, Jim Watson, Rekha Sharma, Sirena Gulamgaus, Torri Higginson, Kenny Wong.

Joseph Kay is the creator, showrunner and executive producer. Bruno Dubé, Jocelyn Deschênes, Josée Vallée, Rachel Langer, Stefan Pleszczynski, and Sarah Timmins also executive produce.

Joseph KayShowrunner/producer/EP Joseph Kay of "Transplant" (photo from Instagram)

Executive Producer, “Transplant”

Joseph Kay is creator, showrunner and executive producer on the NBC drama “Transplant.” He has served as showrunner, writer and executive producer for each of its seasons, winning four Canadian Screen Awards in his roles as writer and producer.

Prior to “Transplant,” he adapted and served as executive producer on the CBC drama “This Life.” Previous credits include the World War II drama “Bomb Girls” for Global TV and the CBC hit action/comedy “Republic of Doyle.”

Kay also co-created the single-camera comedy “Living in your Car” for HBO Canada.

Before becoming a screenwriter, he worked as a transactional lawyer at one of Canada’s foremost securities law firms.

Bash and Theo on "Transplant" Season 4 (photo from Instagram)Hamza Haq

Bashir “Bash” Hamed, “Transplant”

Hamza Haq stars as Bashir “Bash” Hamed in the NBC drama “Transplant.” On the path to becoming a Canadian citizen, Bash is reckoning with his identity and sense of belonging.

Named one of Canada’s rising stars by the Hollywood Reporter in 2017, Haq has won acclaim for his work in “Transplant,” including Lead Actor in a Drama for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Prior to “Transplant,” Haq played twins Amal and Gopal, opposite William Shatner and Russell Peters, in the CTV miniseries “Indian Detective.” He was recognized with a Canadian Screen Award nomination for his role of Raza Ali in the CBS series “This Life.” Early in his career, he hosted two seasons of the International Emmy Award-nominated children’s series “Look Kool.”

Additional television credits include “Quantico,” “Designated Survivor,” “The Bold Type,” “Being Human” and “Best Laid Plans.” He will also appear in the upcoming family dramedy “Ruining Eid” (working title) for Netflix MENA.

On the big screen, Haq stars in the Canadian independent feature “With Love and a Major Organ” and the soon-to-be released “The Queen of My Dreams” with Amrit Kaur. He appeared in “My Salinger Year,” which opened the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in 2020 and, more recently, had a supporting role in the French-Canadian feature “Viking.”

Additional film credits include “Bon Cop,” “Bad Cop 2,” “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan,” directed by Xavier Dolan and Darren Aronofsky’s “Mother!”

 

Haq is a 2020 recipient of the RBC’s top Canadian Immigrants Award and recently partnered with the Canada Media Fund’s Made Nous campaign as ambassador to celebrate Islamic History Month. He spoke at the 2021 TEDx Toronto Fall digital event series “Uncharted” using his public platform to speak on issues important to him, including refugees’ rights, racial injustice and combating stereotypes. He was honored as Playback’s Breakout Star of the Year.

Raised in Ottawa, Haq is the youngest of four siblings born in Saudi Arabia to Pakistani parents. He has called Canada home since the age of 9. He holds a BA degree in film studies with a minor in law from Carleton University.

Our past “Transplant” interviews

Rekha Sharma 2/2/24

Joseph Kay 10/10/23

Hamza Haq 7/12/22

Laurence Leboeuuf 3/29/22

 John Hannah and Hamza Haq 3/1/22

Laurence Leboeuf 10/30/20

Hamza Haq 10/9/20

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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Interview with Joseph Kay

TV Interview!

 

Joseph Kay, creator/showrunner of "Transplant" on CBC and NBC (photo from Twitter)

Interview with creator/producer Joseph Kay of “Transplant” on NBC by Suzanne 10/10/23

It was great to speak with the creator/writer/executive producer of such a good show as “Transplant,” which returns for season 3 October 12th! It’s a Canadian show, and they’re watching season 4 right now (which, unfortunately, is the last season). You don’t want to miss this one! If you haven’t watched the first two seasons, go watch them now on Peacock! You’ll be glad you caught up on some a unique show with interesting characters.

 

MORE INFO:  Official NBC Site Trailer

Transplant

New Season Premiering Thursday, October 12 on NBC (9 p.m. ET)

 

The new season of “Transplant” finds Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq, “My Salinger Year”) continuing his journey to start over, but with each new milestone comes a new challenge. While pursuing Canadian citizenship for himself and his younger sister, Amira (Sirena Gulamgaus, “Orphan Black), Bash closely examines who he’s becoming in his adopted country.

Bash, still being asked repeatedly to prove himself, works closely with his colleagues as they move forward following the dramatic conclusion of season two. Everyone continues to find themselves looking to adapt to change and understand how they fit in, both within and beyond the walls of York Memorial Hospital.

After Dr. Bishop’s shocking departure, the team gains a new boss with the forward-thinking Dr. Neeta Devi (Rekha Sharma, “Yellowjackets”). Dr. Devi has big ideas when it comes to overhauling the emergency department at York Memorial.

“Transplant” also stars Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie “Mags” LeBlanc, Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis, Jim Watson as Dr. Theo Hunter, Torri Higginson as head nurse Claire Malone, Gord Rand as Dr. Mark Novak and Sirena Gulamgaus as Amira.

Creator Joseph Kay serves as showrunner and executive producer. Rachel Langer, Josée Vallée, Jocelyn Deschênes, Bruno Dubé, and Stefan Pleszczynski also executive produce.

“Transplant” is produced by Sphere Media in association with CTV and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

 

Please visit the official show site at: https://www.nbc.com/transplant.

For the latest “Transplant” news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram:

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Joseph Kay

Executive Producer, “Transplant”

Joseph Kay is creator, showrunner and executive producer on the NBC drama “Transplant.” He has served as showrunner, writer and executive producer for each of its seasons, winning four Canadian Screen Awards in his roles as writer and producer.

Prior to “Transplant,” he adapted and served as executive producer on the CBC drama “This Life.” Previous credits include the World War II drama “Bomb Girls” for Global TV and the CBC hit action/comedy “Republic of Doyle.”

Kay also co-created the single-camera comedy “Living in your Car” for HBO Canada.

Before becoming a screenwriter, he worked as a transactional lawyer at one of Canada’s foremost securities law firms.

Our previous “Transplant” interviews!

Hamza Haq (Bash) 7/12/22

Laurence Leboeuf (Mags) 3/29/22

 John Hannah and Hamza Haq (Bishop and Bash) 3/1/22

Laurence Leboeuf (Mags) 10/30/20

Hamza Haq (Bash) 10/9/20

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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Joseph Kay, creator/showrunner of "Transplant" on CBC and NBC (photo from Facebook video).