Thuso Mbedu

This September, rising star actress Thuso Mbedu will appear in Sony's *The Woman King*, opposite Viola Davis. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the historical epic features Mbedu as Nawi, an ambitious recruit who joins an all-female military unit led by Nanisca (Davis). The film was shot in Mbedu's home country of South Africa and also stars John Boyega and Lashana Lynch. Mbedu recently won an Independent Spirit Award, a Gotham Award, and a Hollywood Critics Association Award, and was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for her role as "Cora" in Barry Jenkins' *The Underground Railroad*. Her performance in the limited series made her the first South African leading woman in a U.S. television series. Based on Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the series was adapted and directed by Jenkins, an Oscar winner. USA Today described Mbedu as "the series' stunning standout, imbuing Cora with a deep humanity and empathy in her every scene, even when she has no dialogue." An established actress in South Africa, Mbedu was nominated for her second International Emmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in 2018 for her breakout role in the series *Is'Thunzi*, for which she also won a SAFTA (South African Film & TV Awards) for Best Actress - TV Drama. In 2018, she was featured on the cover of the Forbes Africa "Under 30" issue highlighting African leaders. Mbedu currently splits her time between Los Angeles and South Africa.