South African actress Thuso Mbedu recognized by Hollywood for role of escaped slave in The Underground Railroad
By Edward Tsumele
South Africa’s talented actress Thuso has been handsomely rewarded fror her stunning execution of her role in the move The Under Ground rail Roade by the influential Hollywood Critics’ Association, potentially opening more doors for a lucrative career in Hollywood.
For her efforts in this feature film Hollywood Critics Association has awarded her the TV BREAKOUT STAR AWARD for her convincing portrayal of CORA on The Underground Rail Roader.
The actress is understandably ecstatic over this recognition by one of the entertainment industry’s most influential bodies in Hollywood.
The Underground Railroad is an American fantasy historical drama streaming television limited series created and directed by Barry Jenkins based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video on May 14, 2021.
A fictional story of people attempting an escape from slavery in the southern United States in the 1800s utilising a key plot element employing the literary style of magic realism In reality, “The Underground Railroad was a network of abolitionists, hidden routes, and safe houses that helped enslaved African-Americans escape to freedom in the early to mid-1800s. In the novel and the series, it is an actual railroad complete with engineers, conductors, tracks, and tunnels. Cora, an enslaved woman from Georgia, joins newcomer Caesar to ride the subterranean train to freedom.
Mbedu has been lauded for playing this role convincingly and she is currently living and working in the US.
“Thank you very much to the Hollywood Critics Awards for this special recognition. UGRR has been an amazing journey from start to finish. Thank you to every single person who has walked this journey with me,” she said after winning this latest accolade.