Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle, Beyond The Lights)
Either of her headlining roles in the romantic dramas she starred in this year would have put English actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw on this list. The fact that she had two star-making performances in one year, both from films that premiered at the Toronto film festival, is even more impressive. Although she was one of the main roles on J.J. Abrams’ Undercovers, which aired on ABC, that show was abruptly cancelled weeks after it premiered. And even though it took Mbatha-Raw a few more years until she received the exposure she deserved, the wait was worth it.
In the ravishing period drama Belle, the actor played the illegitimate child of a navy captain and African slave, scorned by most of the neighboring community for her darker complexion. Her performance, filled with quiet defiance and emotional nuance, was one of the strongest of the year. She then got rid of the classical wardrobe and stripped down, donning a purple weave and other pop star add-ons, for her role as young singer Noni Jean in Beyond the Lights. Although I cannot recommend the film, Mbatha-Raw gave the role an agony, intensity and emotional truth that the rest of that showbiz soap opera lacked.
A popular staple of Manchester and London’s theatre scenes, Mbatha-Raw has picked some intriguing projects for the coming year. Among them are The Whole Truth, a legal thriller starring Keanu Reeves, and the sports drama Concussion with Will Smith. Despite the presence of A-list talent, one can hope that the soulful young actor doesn’t just become a part of the ensemble, but a standout.