It’s fall, which means all of Hollywood is bracing for the upcoming months. As we prepare to embark on award season, we look forward to witnessing our favorite actors being recognized for their work. However, for every well-established actor getting big nominations for his or her successes this year, there are even more new celebrities trying to make a name for themselves and hoping to earn a bit of recognition for this season’s projects.
These 20 newbies are well on their way to being household names in no time and you can almost guarantee that you’ll be seeing more of them in the upcoming year and beyond!
1. Ekaterina Samsonov
The Wonderstruck star is causing quite the buzz in Hollywood. At only 14, she’s worked alongside Joaquin Phoenix, and wowed audiences at the Cannes Film Festival. Her poignant roles have made her the actress to watch, and have exhibited just how mature this young teen is.
2. Nesta Cooper
The world first took notice of the Canada native after her breakthrough role on the show Travelers. However, on her most recent role on the Netflix Original series, #RealityHigh, you’ll fall in love with her character Dani, who’s struggling to find herself in a society where social media rules all. Since we’re all basically obsessed with Nesta at this point, season two of Travelers is on its way!
3. Keith Powers
This actor and model, most known for his role as Ronnie Devoe in The New Edition Story, has people everywhere going bananas. His insanely good looks and smooth dance moves have made him Hollywood’s newest heartthrob. Catch him alongside Nesta Cooper, playing her love interest in #RealityHigh.
You also may recognize him from his role on the Bella Thorne show on Freeform, Famous in Love, or as the narc on Faking It.
4. Jimmy Tatro
“Who drew the dicks?” If you don’t know where this quote came from then I highly suggest you get familiar with the intriguing and hilarious Netflix comedy/mystery American Vandal. Tatro, a YouTube sensation and comedian, plays Dylan Maxwell, a high-school student defending himself against scandalous car vandalism allegations. You also may recognize Tatro from Grown Ups 2 and 22 Jump Street.
5. Zazie Beetz
This German-born beauty, who plays Vanessa on the Emmy winning show Atlanta, will take over the big screen next year in Deadpool 2. Word on the street is that she’ll also be starring alongside Chance The Rapper in the comedy/horror film Slice later this year.
6. Sasha Lane
She captivated audiences everywhere as the breakout star of the 2016 film American Honey. Now, the British Independent Film award winner is preparing for four more movies, all being released in the next two years. Lane, who has been a huge proponent for reform of many social issues, including mental health, has proven that she’s far more than a pretty face.
7. Isabela Moner
The 16-year-old actress and singer has officially transitioned from the silver screen to the big screen. Originally the star of the Nickelodeon series 100 Things to Do Before High School, she joined the cast of Transformers: The Last Knight this summer. We can’t wait to see her again next summer in the 2018 movie Soldado.
8. Daniel Kaluuya
We know him best for being in ‘the sunken place,’ but the Get Out star has proven that he’s anything but. He’s publically spoken out about the black experience both in the UK and America, and isn’t afraid to say exactly what’s on his mind. It’s only up from here for Kaluuya, who will star in Black Panther next year, as well as in Widows alongside Viola Davis.
9. Jacob Tremblay
With so many years ahead of him, we’re so eager to see just how far this adorable 11-year-old will go. Acting since the age of only seven, Tremblay has befriended Hollywood royalty such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. The Critics’ Choice Movie Award winner for Best Young Performer is preparing for his role in The Predator, releasing 2018.
10. Megan Charpentier
Clearly, super intense movies are her thing. You may remember her as the Red Queen in Resident Evil: Retribution, one of the abandoned sisters in Mama, or more recently, playing Greta in this fall’s spooky sensation, It. It’s only right that she’s a part of Hulu’s one-hour horror/fantasy drama Locke and Key, a pilot that we can barely contain our excitement for considering Hulu’s most recent successes!
11. Michaela Coel
Hearts of people with good taste everywhere broke with the news that Chewing Gum would not return for a third season. Coel, who served as the lead writer and actress in the hilarious series left audiences hunching over in laughter episode after episode. She’s starred in episodes of Black Mirror, and is currently working on two new projects for Netflix. **Excitedly anticipates what she’s got in store**
12 & 13. Gus Halper & Miles Gaston Villanueva
If you’re a fan of Law & Order, or just intrigued by the story of the Menendez brothers (SAME.), you don’t want to miss these two actors coming up in the entertainment biz. Playing Lyle and Erik Menendez, the pair makes it impossible to turn away from your TV screens. Tune in every Tuesday night to NBC, and see why this duo is causing quite a stir.
14. Iain Armitage
Armitage is well beyond his years and no stranger to the industry. The son of two prominent entertainers, this nine-year-old has charmed his way into the hearts of millions on the show Young Sheldon, and is also a prominent theater critic. Basically, I want to be Iain when I grow up.
15. John Boyega
Though most recognized for his role in the Star Wars films, his gut-wrenching performance in Detroit showed just how no-joke this London native really is. He’s also become known for his wit and sense of humor. You’ll often catch him responding to Twitter trolls from his personal account and the clapbacks are epic!
16. Nathalie Emmanuel
The Game Of Thrones, and Fast series star will grace the big screen again in 2018 for the second installment of The Maze Runner. This naturalista, whose iconic GOT sex scenes had everyone ~shook~, is one of UK’s fastest rising stars.
17. Natasha Rothwell
The Insecure funny woman is a queen of many talents. Along with being a wonderful comedian and actress, she was also a writer on the acclaimed Saturday Night Live, and the Netflix series The Characters. Needless to say, we’re all looking forward to many more laughs from this comedy veteran.
18. Will Poulter
Many first fell in love with Poulter as he rapped Lisa Left Eye’s verse in “Waterfalls” in We’re The Millers, so when he transformed to a heartless racist in the movie Detroit, it’s fair to say many of us were surprised as hell. His most recent big screen appearance debuted his huge acting range as he delivered a performance nobody expected. Can’t wait to see what surprise he has next for us!
19. Brandon Micheal Hall
Starring alongside longtime fan-favorite, Lea Michele, on one of ABC’s newest shows, The Mayor, the Julliard grad leaves us ready for more madness week after week. Hall plays a rapper-turned-politician embarking on unfamiliar territory and the journey is laugh out loud funny.
20. Millie Bobby Brown
I mean, the whole world is obsessed with this bright-eyed, charismatic, golden girl who won an Emmy after only uttering 246 words on the hit Netflix show Stranger Things. The 13-year-old self-proclaimed feminist has graced the covers of Teen Vogue, Interview, and mor —, showing the world that she’s far more than what meets the eye.