Thuso Mbedu
Biography
Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu is a South African actress born on July 8, 1991, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. She rose to prominence for her performance in the South African teen drama series Is'Thunzi, earning consecutive International Emmy nominations in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, she appeared on the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list. In 2021, she starred as Cora in the Amazon Video limited series The Underground Railroad, becoming the first South African actress to lead an American television series and winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series. She subsequently made her feature film debut in the 2022 American historical epic The Woman King in the role of Nawi.
Career overview
Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu is a South African actress born on July 8, 1991, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. She rose to prominence for her performance in the South African teen drama series Is'Thunzi. Her work in the series earned her consecutive nominations for an International Emmy in 2017 and 2018. Following this recognition, Mbedu appeared on the 2018 Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list.
In 2021, Mbedu starred as Cora in the Amazon Video limited series The Underground Railroad. This role made her the first South African actress to lead an American television series and earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series. She subsequently made her feature film debut playing the role of Nawi in the American historical epic The Woman King in 2022.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
13 titles- Children of Blood and Bone (2027) as Zelie
- Task (2025) as Aleah Clinton
- Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) as Junia (voice)
- Castlevania: Nocturne (2023) as Annette (voice)
- The Woman King (2022) as Nawi
- The Underground Railroad (2021) as Cora Randall
- Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 (2021) as Self
- The Gaze (2021)
- Is'thunzi (2020) as Winnie
- Side Dish (2018) as Phiwe
- Lokoza (2016) as Khanya
- The View (1997) as Self - Guest
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Thuso Mbedu best known for?
Thuso Mbedu is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Task (2025), Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), Castlevania: Nocturne (2023), The Woman King (2022).
When and where was Thuso Mbedu born?
Thuso Mbedu was born on July 8, 1991 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
How many credits does Thuso Mbedu have?
Thuso Mbedu has accumulated over 13 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1996 to 2027.
What is Thuso Mbedu's background in cinema and television?
Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu is a South African actress born on July 8, 1991, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. She rose to prominence for her performance in the South African teen drama series Is'Thunzi, earning consecutive International Emmy nominations in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, she appeared on the Forbes Africa 30 under 3...