By Tamlyn Canham
South African actress Thuso Mbedu is a rising Hollywood star. But don’t take our word for it.
International publications like Vogue, Net-a-Porter, and Essence magazine have recognised her outstanding talent.
Thuso is just days away from starring in one of her biggest international roles to date – ‘The Underground Railroad’.
She plays Cora Randall, a young woman who escapes from slavery in Georgia.
Thuso says she is excited about the role.
“We just started press for ‘The Underground Railroad’ which is coming out in twelve days. I’m so excited, and actually, what has made me excited is [your] support… The show is going to be worth watching, I promise you,” she said in a video shared on her IGTV.
The Amazon Prime seriess is set to debut on May 14.
Working with Academy Award winner Viola Davis
Thuso could not contain her excitement while talking about the recent news that she has been cast alongside Viola Davis.
The actors will both appear in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film, ‘The Woman King’.
Thuso says she first found out about the project in 2019.
“It was just at the beginning. We had just started shooting ‘The Underground Railroad’. I was shooting in Georgia.
“Then I went to LA for a short break and I was just taking general meetings. And I went to meet JuVee Productions, which is the production company of Viola Davis and her husband, Julius [Tennon]. And they had just told me about this project,” she said.
Thuso says the film is set in the 1800s in Africa.
“It’s based on real-life events of women warriors…. I didn’t even know that we had African warrior women. I am excited to be part of the story because we are telling stories about Africa.”



