Thuso Mbedu born 8 July 1991 is a South African actress. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her role in the telenovela Is’Thunzi, which has been called “one of the most compelling television programmes on South African television” by Mail & Guardian. She is also played Kitso Medupe in the soap opera Scandal!, Nosisa in Isibaya, and Boni Khumalo in Saints and Sinners. She is set to star in the upcoming Amazon Video limited series The Underground Railroad.
Early life
Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu was born and raised in Pelham, a borough of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. She was raised by her grandmother who was her legal guardian after the passing of both her parents at an early age. When Mbedu was eighteen, she attended the University of the Witwatersrand(Wits), where she studied Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Management, resulting her graduating with an honours. In 2012, she attended the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York, USA.
Career
Thuso Mbedu as Ipeleng on MTV Shuga
In late 2014 she had a small role in the second season of the Mzansi Magic soapie Isibaya, before landing her role as journalism student and wild child Kitso on Scandal!. She then had a guest role as Kheti on the second season of the SABC 2 teen drama series Snake Park.
After being jobless for six months, Thuso landed her first starring role in television in the Mzansi Magic teen drama series Is’thunzi, which premiered in October 2016. In the series she played Winnie, a sassy go-getter who dreams of marrying a rich and famous rugby player only to have her dreams dashed when she is exiled to go live with her strict aunt in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. While filming a rape scene for the show, she suffered a panic attack. In September 2017 she was nominated for an International Emmy award in the category Best Performance by an Actress for her role as Winnie in Is’Thunzi and was the only African to be nominated that year. She is set to make her international debut in the upcoming Amazon Video historical limited series The Underground Railroad, based on the novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. The series will be directed and executive produced by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins.
Filmography
| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2014–present | Saints and Sinners | Boni Khumalo | Lead role |
| 2014 | Isibaya | Nosisa | Guest role |
| 2015– 2017 | Scandal! | Kitso Medupe | Supporting role |
| 2015 | Snake Park | Khethi | Guest role |
| 2016–2017 | Is’Thunzi | Winnie Bhengu | Lead role |
| 2017–2019 | Shuga | Ipeleng | Supporting role |
| 2018 | Generations: The Legacy | Okuhle Cele | Supporting role |
| 2018 | Side Dish | Phiwe | Lead role |
| 2021 | The Underground Railroad | Cora Randall | Lead role |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated works | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | DSTV Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress | Is’Thunzi | Nominated |
| 45th International Emmy Awards | Best Performance by an Actress | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | 12th South African Film and Television Awards | Best Actress TV Drama | Won | |
| 46th International Emmy Awards | Best Performance by an Actress | Nominated |