It’s Thuso Mbedu Day!!!
Mbedu is the first South African actress to lead an American TV series. She is the star of Amazon Prime’s new series, Underground Railroad which premiers today.
Directed by Barry Jenkins’, it’s an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s award-winning novel.
As an Emmy nominee, she stars in the role of Cora Randall, a young slave who succeeds in running away from a plantation.
She recently joined Trevor Noah on the Daily Show to speak about her journey:
READ: Thuso Mbedu talks ‘Underground Railroad’, working with Viola Davis
The Early Years of Thuso Mbedu
Mbedu grew up in Pietermaritzburg, raised by her grandmother after her mother who was a teacher passed away.
She made her screen debut on Isibaya playing the role of Nosisa in 2014, and played the character of Kitso in the eTV drama series Scandal.
In 2016 her role on Is’thunzi, scored her nomination for an Emmy in the Best Performance by an Actress category.
Over the year she played roles in four-part dramas, Shuga (2017), Side Dish (2018), Saints and Sinners (2019).
She recently announced that she is set to act alongside award-winning American actress Viola Davis in an upcoming historical epic, The Woman King, directed by Love & Basketball director Gina Prince-Bythewood.
READ: Thuso Mbedu accused of being a homophobe for thanking Mac G
Congratulations have poured in today from many South Africans, as Mbedu makes history on today’s premiere of the much anticipated Underground Rail Road, becoming the first SA actress to lead an American TV series:
You know what today is! We’re so so proud of you @ThusoMbedu #ThusoMbeduDay #TheUndergroundRailroad 🙌🏾🔥❤️ pic.twitter.com/TIworuCtJZ
— Rami Chuene🌈🏳️🌈 (@ramichuene) May 14, 2021
Am at the airport watching The Underground Rail. No, look, that Emmy is ours. Thuso’s performance soaring. Barry Jenkin’s directing is masterful. Each shot is a great painting. #ThusoMbeduDay pic.twitter.com/aiwXtSA7HL
— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) May 14, 2021
Good Morning! Happy #ThusoMbeduDay 🎊🙌🏽! Celebrating this woman’s incredible talent and black excellence! @ThusoMbedu 🇿🇦 👑 pic.twitter.com/QcLxwNBWj6
— Nandi Madida (@Nandi_Madida) May 14, 2021
Was saying how I haven’t used my Amazon Prime account in months. Finally get to use it this weekend coz… #ThusoMbeduDay pic.twitter.com/WHxBKfqOyI
— Lesego Semenya (@LesDaChef) May 14, 2021
The day is finally here! 🤩🥳 – Let’s celebrated this amazing and talented superstar, @ThusoMbedu #ThusoMbeduDay #TheUndergroundRailroad pic.twitter.com/Rex4zYPI9C
— Mohale Motaung (@mohale_motaung) May 14, 2021
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