On to The Next One and Still Rubbing Shoulders with Big Names.

By: Tshegofatso Ramaphoko.

Caption: The Woman King proves that the possibilities are endless for Mbedu/ Image Source: Vanity fair

Born and raised in the rich soil of South Africa, in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal in 1991 July 8th. Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu was raised by her grandmother since the age of four after her mother passed. She is also as most of the South African children, never know her father. She had skin allergies when she was young which motivated her to want to become a dermatologist.

What changed her mind was the drama class she discovered in High School and ever since, she started loving performing arts in college which did not impress her grandmother who wanted her to be a skin doctor.

Thuso told SABC News in one of her interviews that, “when you sit at home watching a show as a child, unless it’s a story that is specifically about race, you’re not supporting something because it’s only black people, you’re just supporting a story that moves you. And so, you grow up wanting to create stories that can move people and have impact and that’s why I’m in this industry to use drama and art as a tool for social change”.

It is evident in her success that Mbedu is truly talented in performing arts. She landed her first lead role in a South African teenage drama series Isthunzi in the year 2016. She was part of the famous series, Saints and Sinners which she joined in 2014. Her first American Audition was one of the Underground Railroad, which opened humongous doors for the actress.

In the year 2018 Thuso was awarded Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role in Tv Drama for Isthunzi and two awards under the Underground Railroad had her worthy of Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Performance in a New Series in 2021 and Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in 2021. After all the accomplishments, Mbedu continues to amaze her fans in her new role where stars alongside the award-winning actress or legend Viola Davis in the Woman King.

Caption: The Woman King: Thuso breaks down emotional reverse scene. / Picture by: The Hollywood Reporter.

Mbedu posted to her 1,3 million Instagram fans that, she was excited to be returning home to film her new role on the movie, THE WOMAN KING which aired middle September 2022. The movie is based on the historical events that took place in west Africa’s powerful female warrior dynasty, the Dahomey kingdom, between the 18th and 19th centuries.

Mbedu tweeted and announced that, “Once again the love and support you have shown me is astounding and has left me speechless. I am so humbled by your words of encouragement. Thank you for believing in me. For those asking how? All know me: pursuing purpose and staying ready. That will never change.” Mbedu twitted. (Twitter, @ ThusoMbedu,4 April29,2021).

One of her fans on twitter said, ‘I am so inspired by Thuso, this shows that ‘black child it is possible’, and the award-winning actress Terry Pheto also tweeted ‘Thuso Mbedu to star with Viola Davis, oh what a time to be alive!’.