Mbedu, who is also a two-time Emmy nominee, plays the character of ‘Cora Randall’ in this searing fictional story of enslavement, directed by Academy Award winner, Barry Jenkins.
The 10-part series is an Amazon Production and will be premiering across the world on the 14th of May 2021.
To honour her, the Joburg Theatre is hosting an exclusive “The Underground Railroad” watch party, by screening the
first episode of the series on the 14th this Friday, on a newly upgraded, hybrid Mandela stage.
‘The Underground Railroad’ is an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name.
The evening will start with an extensive interview with Mbedu regarding the lead up to the premiere conducted by Fezokuhle Mthonti and Andiswa Mkosi.
The interview will also include snippets of her upcoming feature film with academy award-winning Viola Davis under the directorial eye of Gina Prince-Bythewood.
The soft speaking Mbedu was quoted saying, she prayed about the role, long before she got the part.
“I’m someone who believes in God, but to your friends, you seem crazy for having the dreams you have, for taking the risks you take,” she said.
“The show is going to be worth watching, I promise you,” she promises her fans.
In the recent interview with Vogue, Jenkins commended Mbedu for excelling in her role as Cora.
“They say still waters run deep and that’s how I think of her. There are episodes where she looks 18, and then there are episodes where she looks 57. It was almost superhuman what this woman did,” said Jenkins.
Tickets are free, but booking is essential due to limited capacity and adherence to the Covid-19 regulations.
For bookings go to: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1506858706
Image (SA actress and Emmy nominee Thuso Mbedu, alongside partner in the series ‘Underground Railroad’ premiering today, worldwide).
