These African jewels have been showcasing great acting skills on screen and deep soul ties to their homeland. In television and film, most recently, multi-faceted talents like Pearl Thusi and Nomzamo Mbatha have given mind-blowing performances, bringing African actors much-deserved attention.
Pearl Thusi
Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi is known for her portrayal of Patricia Kopong in the comedy-drama seriesThe No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and Dayana Mampasi in the ABC thriller Quantico . The South African star later landed a lead role in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Queen Sono. The streamer’s first African original series was renewed for a second season.
Thuso Mbedu
Thuso Mbedu has been labeled ‘the first South African to lead an American series’. The 29 year old was cast as Nora in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video’s Underground Railroad, produced and written by Barry Jenkins. Mbedu was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in the telenovela Thunzi, “one of the most compelling television programmes on South African television”(The Guardian).
Yvonne Orji
Yvonne Orji is a Nigeria-born American actress and comedian, known best for her performance in the hit television series Insecure on HBO, which earned her Emmy and NAACP Image Award nominations. Orji’s comedy special, Mama, I made it is currently streaming on HBO.
Sibongile Mlambo
Sibongile Mlambo is best known for her role in Netflix’s series Lost in Space, Starz’s Historical thriller series Black Sails, MTV’s Teen Wolf , and Freeform’s series Siren. The Zimbabwean actress’ film credits include Honey3 and The Last Face.
Wunmi Mosaku
Wunmi Mosaku is a force! The Nigerian-born British actress gave a fantastic performance as Ruby Baptiste in award winning HBO series Lovecraft Country. She was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Actress and also won the 2020 British Independent Film Awards for Best Actress for her role in His House.
Nomzamo Mbatha
Nomzamo Mbatha is another talent proudly representing South Africa. The human rights activist, TV personality, actress, and business woman is fresh on the nation’s mind as she played Mirembe, one of the major characters in Coming 2 America.
Lupita Nyong’o
Although Lupita Nyong’o was born in Mexico city, both of her parents are Kenyan. Her accomplishments expand all the way from winning an Academy Award for her debut performance in 12 Years a Slave (2013) to publishing a children’s book on self-love. Nyong’o has starred in several box office hits such as Queen of Katwe, Us, and Marvel’s record-breaking Black Panther.
Premiering on WeTV, this series offers an intimate look into Mowry’s life post-divorce, exploring her journey through singlehood, motherhood, and the expansion of her multifaceted career.
Following her divorce from Cory Hardrict, finalized in April 2023, ‘Tia Mowry: My Next Act’ dives deep into the life of a woman redefining herself. The show, announced in April 2024, focuses on Mowry’s fearless journey of self-discovery. It’s not just about navigating the waters of being newly single but also about embracing new business ventures, dating, and finding personal happiness.
The reality series promises raw authenticity. In the trailer for her upcoming reality show, the ‘Sister, Sister‘ star shares that it’s “not easy” to go through a divorce. “I got tired of people thinking that everything was perfect when it wasn’t,” she says. “You want to know what really happened. I’ll tell you, it ain’t in a headline.”
‘Tia Mowry: My Next Act’ is scheduled to premiere on October 4, 2024, on WeTV and ALLBLK. Watch the trailer below.
In a recent interview with A24, Brandy Norwood has expressed her desire for Halle Bailey, one-half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, to portray her in a potential biopic.
Brandy, known for her iconic roles in shows like ‘Moesha’ and her groundbreaking portrayal of Cinderella in the 1997 television movie, has always been a trailblazer in the industry. Bailey, who herself broke barriers by starring as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid,’ seems like a poetic passing of the torch.
From her early days in music to her transition into acting, Brandy’s life story is rich with material for a compelling biopic. Bailey, with her rising star power and proven vocal and acting chops, seems poised to capture the essence of Brandy’s spirit and struggle.
The announcement has sparked a wave of support on platforms like X, where fans have praised the potential casting. “Legendary Brandy chooses Halle Bailey to star in her biopic! A perfect pick, as Halle’s talent and charisma would bring Brandy’s inspiring story to life in an unforgettable way,” commented one X user.
The decision to cast Bailey as Brandy would be more than just a casting choice; it would be a celebration of legacy and representation. Both Brandy and Halle have been vocal about the importance of representation in media. This potential collaboration between Brandy and Bailey could mark another chapter in Hollywood’s evolving landscape, where stories of Black women are not just told but celebrated, challenging and changing the narratives available to young audiences worldwide.
The highly anticipated first look at the upcoming sports drama film ‘Unstoppable’ has finally been unveiled. Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez are starring in the lead roles. William Goldenberg is making his directorial debut with this feature, which will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September and hit theaters in December.
‘Unstoppable’ tells the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles, a wrestler born with one leg who defies all odds to become a NCAA Division 1 champion. Jerome, known for his role in ‘When They See Us,’ takes on the role of Anthony Robles, while Lopez plays the part of his mother, Judy Robles.
The first-look photos showcase Jerome’s transformation into Robles. The Emmy-winning actor underwent rigorous training to embody the physicality and determination of a real-life wrestler.
‘Unstoppable’ explores the challenges Robles faced growing up, including being born with one leg and facing rejection from his dream school, Iowa. However, with the support of his mother and his own determination, Robles rises to become a champion wrestler, ultimately winning a national championship against the school that rejected him.
The film features an all-star ensemble cast, including Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, and Don Cheadle.
According to the official press release, Ben Affleck is producing the film alongside Anthony Robles, the real-life inspiration behind the drama. Robles also acted as a stunt double for Jerome in some of the wrestling scenes.