Thuso Mbedu has gone from breakout star in Mzansi to one of the most exciting names in Hollywood and her journey is only just getting started.
Globe (18 May 2025) – From the quiet streets of Pietermaritzburg to the dazzling lights of Hollywood, Thuso Mbedu story is nothing short of inspirational.
Now, the Emmy-nominated and award-winning actress is gearing up for her next big adventure, starring as Aleah in HBO’s upcoming crime drama series Task. She’ll be acting alongside a powerhouse cast: Mark Ruffalo, Emilia Jones, Tom Pelphrey and Silvia Dionicio. As news of her new role breaks, fans and media back home have erupted with joy, declaring themselves “proudly South African” and celebrating every step of her success.
Mbedu’s rise has been extraordinary. Raised by her grandmother in Pietermaritzburg after losing both parents at a young age, she dreamed of telling stories on stage and screen. After earning her acting diploma at Wits University, she broke into South African television and quickly became a household name. But her true breakthrough came in 2021 when she was cast as Cora in Barry Jenkins’s The Underground Railroad. In doing so, Mbedu made history as the first South African to lead an American television series. Her fearless performance as an enslaved woman seeking freedom earned her rave reviews and multiple awards, including an Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award for Best Actress. It was a moment of collective pride for South Africa, with local media praising her as someone “taking the world by storm with her bubbly personality and thespian excellence,” showcasing to the world the talent emerging from Mzansi.
The love and support from home has been overwhelming. When Mbedu promoted The Underground Railroad, she was moved to tears by fans’ reactions.
Taking to Instagram to thank her countrymen, she wrote: “My fellow South Africans! Y’all showed up and showed off with the love. Thank you, thank you, thank you guys… Thank you, I love you SA.”
Social media quickly filled with messages of admiration. One fan commented, “From the day I saw you… I knew you would go far.” Another wrote, “We love you Queen Thuso… Upwards and onwards… Thank you for making us proud!”
Local press marvelled at Mbedu’s humility and celebrated her as a South African trailblazer, even headlining that “Mzansi [is] brimming with pride” over her international success.
Her next milestone was equally stirring. In 2022, Mbedu made her big-screen debut as Nawi in The Woman King, a historical epic about the Dahomey Amazons, starring Viola Davis. Filming partly in South Africa, The Woman King brought global attention to the region’s rich heritage. Mbedu described debuting the film in South Africa as “moving,” and the national response was immense. During her press tour in Johannesburg, she told local media how blessed she felt by the country’s support. Again her fans answered with enthusiasm commenting on her posts that she was “making us proud” and showering her with blessings.
Even international icons took notice. After Mbedu’s appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ellen praised her to Oprah Winfrey, saying: “I can’t tell you how amazing you are… you’re incredible.”
All these accomplishments have painted a moving picture of talent and tenacity. As one South African music and culture page put it, “South African pride!”. A sentiment echoed by media outlets and countless fans. Today, Mbedu stands on the cusp of her next big chapter. In Task, set in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she’ll play a key role in a tense FBI drama from the creators of Mare of Easttown. With Ruffalo as the lead FBI agent and Mbedu in the ensemble, Task promises to be another major showcase for her skills. The series is slated for September 2025 and already has South Africans counting the days with pride and excitement.
Thuso’s story is still being written, but one thing is clear… from that little girl in Pietermaritzburg to an actress on the world stage, her journey has filled South Africa with pride. She has overcome every hurdle with grace and grit, and as she takes on Task and whatever comes next, a whole nation is cheering for her! Onward and upward.
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