After seven long years away from television, Aamina Sheikh is finally back and she’s returning with not one, but two major projects. Her first on-screen comeback is Case No. 9, a courtroom drama that takes on one of the most pressing issues in our society: rape cases and how they move through the justice system. She will also be seen in Pakistan’s first Netflix original, Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, which was the first project she shot after her hiatus and will soon bring Pakistani narratives to a global platform.

Sheikh has always been a rare presence in the industry: authentic, articulate and deeply thoughtful in her craft. From Bhaag Amina Bhaag to Pakeeza, her roles have carried weight and meaning, which makes her return to stories with substance all the more fitting.

To talk about this long-awaited return, I sat down with Sheikh for a conversation that unfolds in two parts: a written Q&A and a video interview, each with its own set of questions. The actor told me about her comeback, her Netflix debut and what it feels like to step back into acting after seven years away.

View this post on Instagram

Q. After seven years away from television, what made you say yes to Case No. 9?

It was a matter of doing the right thing at the right time for me.

Beenish Ali, the character offered to me, is a prosecutor. She leads the legal battle for a rape victim in the courtroom. Through her, we navigate the justice system of Pakistan and the legal nuances of rape cases. The audience will finally receive detailed awareness of the laws, as well as knowledge of the progressions that have taken place in the legal system with regard to rape cases. Actual rape cases from our recent legal history will be referenced, put into context and explained in a way that helps the audience understand them.