From SA roots to Hollywood heights: Thuso Mbedu talks growth, grit and her lead role in 'Task'

While Charlize Theron made waves in Hollywood’s A-list circles, many others have followed with great success, too. Sharlto Copley and Arnold Vosloo, who have firmly embedded themselves in the industry, exemplify this. 

And Trevor Noah is paving his own success on the back of “The Daily Show”, with the stand-up comedian and author recently landing an R-rated film deal for “The Island”.

Let’s not forget about Pearl Thusi, Terry Pheto and Nomzamo Mbatha making their mark as well in different projects. 

Of course, Lesley-Ann Brandt is on an upward trajectory with project offers on the back of “Lucifer”.

This brings us to Thuso Mbedu, who rode the crest of success when she made her international debut as Cora in “The Underground Railroad”, a 2021 limited series on Amazon Video.

She also became the ambassador and spokesperson of L’Oréal for Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023 and has graced the red carpet at many global high-profile events and launches.

Not long after, she was cast as Nawi in “The Woman King”, a historical movie inspired by real-life events opposite Viola Davis, who couldn’t stop singing Mbedu’s praises. 

I recently chatted with Mbedu about her lead role in “Task”, a crime drama created and written by Brad Ingelsby, who is also behind “The Mare of Easttown”, which was helmed by Kate Winslet.

The 34-year-old actress looked absolutely stunning during our Zoom call. Then again, her fashion and face beat game is always on point. 

Before delving into her current role, I asked her about her choice in projects, where her roles have always been different, and whether it’s been strategic to ensure longevity in the industry.

“I can confidently say, ‘Yes’, because I'm always looking to challenge myself. It’s funny, when I think about it, even from the time I was back home in South Africa.

“I'll take it to the early days now between ‘Is'Thunzi’ and ‘Saints and Sinners’, where I said please call me out if you see any of my previous character in this character.”

This was a conversation she had with her co-star on the set of the latter series. 

She continued: “And so, going forth, even talking to Gina (Prince-Bythewood) when we were shooting ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ this year, I said to her, if you see any of Nawi, please call me out.”

For context, Prince-Bythewood directed “The Woman King” and wrote and directed the upcoming fantasy film that Mbedu helms. 

The actress noted, “I’m always challenging myself to see if I can actually act, or if I got lucky, you know, with the previous casting. And so, even with ‘Task’, it is unlike anything I've ever, ever, done. It was my first time playing a contemporary American character, and I had to work on the dialect, which was a little trick.

“But we keep pushing, I have to grow. I refuse to do the things that come naturally or come easily to me because then there's no growth in that.”

The “Task” casting includes Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Jamie McShane, Alison Oliver and Fabien Frankel.

Mbedu plays Aleah in a story that centres on Tom (Ruffalo), a Philadelphia-based FBI agent, who helms a task force put together to end a string of violent robberies undertaken by an unassuming family man before it mushrooms into something more. 

Peeling back the layers of her character, Mbedu shared: “Aleah is one of the task force members who have been put together by Tom, and they are investigating a series of robberies, only to find it is more than we thought it was.

“Aleah is the no-nonsense detective in the group. It’s about ‘I’m here to do the work and keep moving’. Even when the other characters are cracking jokes, she literally has no time for that.

"It's informed by her experience as a detective in that particular police department, but also as, you know, her own lived experience, which I cannot go into because people have to watch episode three to know what I'm talking about.”

On getting to work alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood, she says she takes it in her stride. 

She explained: “I will say that I've never actually been nervous, even when I first started in South Africa, because again, with ‘Saints and Sinners’, all the cast members were veterans. 

“You quickly realise that these people are my colleagues and that’s the attitude I’ve always had; even in meeting them in random spaces outside of work, the mentality is you can't fangirl, because these are your colleagues, at some point they're gonna have to take you seriously.”

Mbedu added: “When I sit back and think about it, even in real time, on set, I am in awe of the fact that I am getting to work with people that I've admired for such a long time, people that I could only wish or dream that I could cross paths with, but never thought that it was actually a thing that could happen. 

“It will always be awe-inspiring, it will always be humbling, and I will actually always be grateful. But when it comes to the work, I will meet you right where you are!”

∎ “Task” will be streaming on Showmax from Monday, September 8.