Some actors perform. Others transform. Thuso Mbedu is one of the latter.
With every role she takes on, Mbedu doesn’t just act—she breathes life into stories that demand to be told. From her gripping performance in The Underground Railroad to the warrior spirit she channeled in The Woman King, she has become a force in storytelling that resonates beyond the screen. Now, she steps into another powerful role, bringing Tomi Adeyemi’s epic fantasy Children of Blood and Bone to life.
Mbedu will star as Zélie Adebola, a young woman on a quest to restore magic to the land of Orïsha. Alongside an all-star cast featuring Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Idris Elba, and Tosin Cole, she will embody a character whose journey mirrors her own—a tale of resilience, identity, and power. With Rick Famuyiwa (Dope, The Mandalorian) writing the screenplay, this adaptation promises to be as authentic as it is groundbreaking.
This isn’t just another film role. Children of Blood and Bone is a story deeply rooted in African mythology, magic, and history, and Mbedu’s casting signals Hollywood’s growing recognition of African talent. She has built a career on roles that challenge narratives, champion representation, and bring untold stories into the global spotlight.
With her ability to immerse herself fully in the worlds she portrays, Mbedu is not just starring in Children of Blood and Bone—she is ensuring that Zélie’s story is felt by audiences everywhere.
Early Life & Education: A Journey Rooted in Resilience
Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu was born on July 8, 1991, in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Raised in the Pelham area by her grandmother, who became her legal guardian after the passing of both her parents, Mbedu’s journey was shaped by early adversity. Despite the challenges, she remained determined to carve out a path for herself.
She attended Pelham Primary School before moving on to Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, where her love for storytelling and performance began to take shape. With an unwavering passion for acting, she pursued Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Management at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), graduating with honours in 2013.
Seeking to refine her craft even further, she took an additional course at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City in 2012. These formative years gave her the technical foundation and emotional depth that now define her performances.
Mbedu’s early life was one of resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence, mirroring the powerful roles she would later embody. From her upbringing in South Africa to the global stage, her journey proves that stories worth telling are often forged through struggle, perseverance, and unwavering belief.
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From Local Stardom to Global Recognition
Thuso Mbedu’s career started with humble but promising beginnings in the South African television industry. In 2014, she made her debut in the Mzansi Magic soap opera Isibaya before landing a supporting role as the rebellious journalism student Kitso Medupe in Scandal!. She soon gained further recognition in the SABC 2 drama Saints and Sinners, where she played Boni Khumalo, a role that showcased her raw talent and emotional depth.
However, it was in 2016 that Mbedu made waves across Africa with her lead role in Is’Thunzi. Playing Winnie Bhengu, a feisty teenager with dreams of marrying a rugby star, Mbedu captivated audiences with her unapologetic intensity and vulnerability. The performance earned her two consecutive International Emmy Award nominations for Best Performance by an Actress—making her one of the few African actors to receive such an honour.
Despite her success in South Africa, she faced a crossroads in her career. The opportunities she sought weren’t always available in her home country, but she remained undaunted. Her commitment to storytelling and authentic representation of African narratives propelled her beyond borders.
Then, in 2021, she stepped onto the global stage in a role that solidified her international status—playing Cora Randall in Barry Jenkins’ Amazon Prime limited series, The Underground Railroad. The adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel saw Mbedu delivering an emotionally charged and unforgettable performance as an enslaved woman seeking freedom. This role made her the first South African actress to lead an American television series, winning her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series.
Hollywood Success & Bringing Stories to Life
Following her groundbreaking performance in The Underground Railroad, Thuso Mbedu continued to bring rich, multidimensional characters to life, proving that African voices belong on the global stage.
In 2022, she made her feature film debut in The Woman King, an epic historical drama inspired by the true story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior unit that protected the Kingdom of Dahomey in the 18th and 19th centuries. Starring alongside Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, and John Boyega, Mbedu played Nawi, a young and determined recruit who undergoes rigorous training to become a warrior. Her electric performance, filled with raw emotion and physical intensity, earned her widespread critical acclaim. She was hailed as one of the most exciting breakout stars of the year, with many industry insiders tipping her as a future Academy Award nominee.
Mbedu’s dedication to her craft was evident in the extensive preparation she undertook for the role. She trained for months, learning combat techniques and building the physical and mental resilience needed to embody Nawi’s journey. She described the experience as empowering, not just as an actress but as a woman representing a piece of African history on a grand cinematic scale.
New Roles Ahead
In 2025, she is set to take on her most ambitious role yet—bringing to life the beloved literary character Zélie Adebola in the Paramount Pictures adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, the fantasy epic by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi. The film, produced by Lucasfilm and 20th Century Studios, is one of the most highly anticipated adaptations in recent years, and Mbedu’s casting has sparked immense excitement among fans of the book.
With Children of Blood and Bone, Mbedu will not only step into the realm of fantasy storytelling but also help bring African mythology to mainstream Hollywood. Her casting in a lead role alongside stars like Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, and Damson Idris is a testament to her rising influence in the industry.
Legacy, Advocacy & Future Endeavors
Beyond her impressive performances, Thuso Mbedu is actively shaping the future of storytelling, using her platform to advocate for diversity, representation, and African narratives in global cinema. Her work extends beyond the screen, empowering young African creatives and ensuring that stories from the continent are told with authenticity and depth.
In 2023, Mbedu became the brand ambassador and spokesperson for L’Oréal Sub-Saharan Africa, aligning with a global brand that champions diversity and self-expression. This partnership highlights her growing influence as a cultural icon—not just in film, but in the broader entertainment and beauty industries.
She also continues to mentor aspiring actors and filmmakers, often speaking about the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and the need for African storytellers to take ownership of their narratives. Through various outreach programs, interviews, and collaborations, she inspires a new generation of artists to dream beyond borders.
With Children of Blood and Bone, Mbedu is poised to lead a new era of African fantasy storytelling, bringing to life a world rich in West African mythology and magic. This project, alongside her previous works, cements her legacy as a force in Hollywood, proving that African talent can stand at the forefront of blockbuster filmmaking.
As she continues her evolution as an actress and storyteller, one thing is certain—Thuso Mbedu isn’t just playing roles; she’s bringing powerful, untold stories to life.