SA’s Thuso Mbedu scores leading role in Hollywood

The stars of The Underground Railroad, directed by Barry Jenkins for Amazon have been announced. SA’s Thuso Mbedu is one of three lead actors cast in the upcoming series based on a Colson Whitehead book with the same name. 

Thuso is set to play the character of Cora while Chase W. Dillon and Aaron Pierre will play Homer and Caesar respectively. 

The Emmy-nominated local actress, Thuso announced the news on her Instagram on 16 April saying she’s very blessed:

“My thumb and neurons are failing me right now so I’ll just do as most South Africans do when this happens: I GOT THE JOB!!!! It was such an amazing process and experience. Like, true story, just prepping to audition for this role made me grow so much. It’s such a blessing and honour to tell this story… Again, words fail me so I’ll stop there for now. “

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My thumb and neurons are failing me right now so I’ll just do as most South Africans do when this happens: I GOT THE JOB!!!! It was such an amazing process and experience. Like, true story, just prepping to audition for this role made me grow so much. It’s such a blessing and honour to tell this story… Again, words fail me so I’ll stop there for now. Read the full article on @variety .com #chapter27 #becomingthepromise God of creation There at the start Before the beginning of time With no point of reference You spoke to the dark And fleshed out the wonder of light And as You speak A hundred billion galaxies are born In the vapor of Your breath the planets form If the stars were made to worship so will I I can see Your heart in everything You’ve made Every burning star A signal fire of grace If creation sings Your praises so will I God of Your promise You don’t speak in vain No syllable empty or void For once You have spoken All nature and science Follow the sound of Your voice And as You speak A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath Evolving in pursuit of what You said If it all reveals Your nature so will I I can see Your heart in everything You say Every painted sky A canvas of Your grace If creation still obeys You so will I – @hillsongunited

A post shared by Thuso Mbedu (@thuso.mbedu) on Apr 16, 2019 at 10:30am PDT

According to Variety, Thuso is known for roles in shows such as Is’thunzi, Liberty, and Shuga.

In both 2018 and 2019, she received an International Emmy Award nomination for her role in Is’thunzi.

Also in 2018, Thuso was featured on the cover of Forbes Africa’s annual Under 30 issue highlighting young African stars and leaders.

More about The Underground Railroad:

The Underground Railroad chronicles young Cora’s journey as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South.

After escaping her Georgia plantation for the rumoured Underground Railroad, Cora discovers no mere metaphor, but an actual railroad full of engineers and conductors, and a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil.

Barry will direct all 11 episodes of the one-hour series in what will be his first attempt at directing a TV series in its entirety.