Who is the actor in the Nissan Ariya commercial?
Exploring the face behind the latest Nissan Ariya campaign
(By Carmichael Phillip)
What is the commercial at stake?
The commercial in question is one of the recent campaigns for the 2023 Nissan Ariya electric crossover. One specific spot titled “Have It All” prominently features actor Jay Ellis alongside actress Brie Larson.
The ad emphasises the Ariya’s advanced electric‑vehicle features, desirable lifestyle positioning and a sense of “having it all” in modern mobility.
Another spot titled “Dualities” also features Jay Ellis and Brie Larson.
So when someone asks “Who is the actor in the Nissan Ariya commercial?”, the answer depends on which specific version you’ve seen—but a safe answer is that one of the primary actors is Jay Ellis.
Who is Jay Ellis?
Jay Ellis is an American actor known especially for his role in the HBO series Insecure. According to ad industry listings, he appears in the 2023 Nissan Ariya commercials with titles such as “Have It All” and “Dualities.”
Here are some quick facts about Jay Ellis:
He has built a reputation for high‑profile television roles and increasingly for brand‑commercial work.
The fact that Nissan chose him for an EV campaign suggests the brand wanted someone with credibility, style and a modern image.
In the listing “2023 Nissan ARIYA TV Spot, ‘Have It All’ Featuring Jay Ellis” the ad is explicitly credited to him.
Thus, if you saw the “Have It All” ad for the Nissan Ariya, the male actor you saw was Jay Ellis.
What about Brie Larson’s role in the campaign?
Brie Larson is the female actor in the campaign, and is noted as Nissan’s brand ambassador. A dealership blog indicates:
“The most current spot is for the Ariya EV crossover in which actor Jay Ellis co‑stars. Nissan plays up Larson’s feminism by having her as the bold speed‑loving driver, while Ellis plays a calm driver who appreciates Ariya’s elegance.”
Therefore, the commercial features both Jay Ellis and Brie Larson—one could say the actor (male) is Jay Ellis, while the commercial also features Brie Larson.
The broader campaign uses Larson as an ambassador across Nissan models; the Ariya spot uses both to create contrast and appeal.
Which exact commercial did I see—and does it matter which version?
If you’re asking about a particular commercial you saw, note that Nissan has multiple Ariya ads running: “Have It All” and “Dualities” are two key ones.
“Have It All” – 2023 Nissan Ariya TV Spot, Featuring Jay Ellis.
“Dualities” – 2023 Nissan Ariya TV Spot, Featuring Brie Larson & Jay Ellis.
If the version you saw had both actors, then yes—both are principal. If you recall only one, it’s likely Jay Ellis (male actor) or Brie Larson (female actor).
So in practice, “the actor” in the commercial is Jay Ellis, with Brie Larson also starring. The nuance: depending on which ad version you refer to, you might be referring to the female lead (Larson) or male lead (Ellis).
In short: for the male actor you likely spotted, the name is Jay Ellis.
Why did Nissan choose actors like Jay Ellis and Brie Larson for the Ariya campaign?
The selection of these particular actors seems strategic:
Modern, aspirational image: Both Jay Ellis and Brie Larson convey contemporary style and appeal. That fits with promoting the Ariya as a next‑generation electric vehicle.
Diverse appeal: Larson brings broad recognition (Hollywood star), Ellis brings charisma and relatable modern masculinity. Together, they widen demographic reach.
EV positioning: The Ariya is an electric crossover—the campaign needed to position it not just as an eco‑friendly car, but as desirable and stylish. Using known actors supports that.
Brand‑ambassador continuity: Brie Larson is already Nissan’s brand ambassador per the dealership blog.
Storytelling strategy: The contrast between Ellis’s calm appreciation and Larson’s bold drive creates a dynamic narrative (“Have it all”, “Dualities”) that matches the vehicle’s promise.
Ultimately, the brand decided to use recognisable actors to elevate the EV campaign beyond specs and price, to lifestyle and identity.
What the campaign communicates and how the actors fit in
Here are some takeaways on how the actors contribute to the messaging:
Jay Ellis as the composed driver: His on‑screen persona in the commercial embodies someone who appreciates refinement, ease, and tech‑savvy features—mirroring the Ariya’s electric‑vehicle sophistication.
Brie Larson as the bold driver: She represents the daring, dynamic aspect—someone ready to drive electric without compromise.
Combined message: With both, the campaign suggests you can both have elegance and excitement in the Ariya—they don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Lifestyle over technical specs: By focusing on actors and story rather than droning on about battery range, Nissan aims to emotionally hook viewers.
Positioning the EV as mainstream: Using mainstream actors helps avoid the “eco‑niche” perception and instead positions the Ariya as a choice for everyone.
In other words, the actors aren’t just faces—they play roles that align perfectly with the brand’s pitch for the vehicle.
Final verdict: Who is the actor?
If you wondered:
If you are asking about the male actor: It’s Jay Ellis – he stars in the key 2023 Nissan Ariya commercial “Have It All”.
If you saw a female actor: Then that is Brie Larson – co‑star in the campaign and Nissan’s brand ambassador.
So, to answer succinctly: the actor in the Nissan Ariya commercial is Jay Ellis (with Brie Larson also featuring).
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