Some of the most famous names in Hollywood today were once just starting out, chasing their first big break. It’s kind of wild to think that stars like Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence were once figuring it all out and proving themselves. Now, we’re seeing a new wave of actresses stepping up and showing the same promise and potential.
These rising stars are bringing more than just talent; they’ve got the drive and heart to make a lasting impact. Watching them is a reminder of how fast a person can go from being an upcoming to an icon in the world of film. With the way they are going it’s safe to say the future of Hollywood’s greatest actresses is looking bright.
Sophie Wilde
Image Credit: Umbrella Entertainment
First up is the elegant Sophie Wilde, born to Ivorian and Australian parents she began her career in the theatres and quickly moved up the ranks. Growing up in Australia, Wilde seems to have been all-in on acting from the start, and it’s evident in how much she pours into her work. In Talk to Me, her performance was so electrifying it earned her an award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
The actress is equally making a name for herself with the way she’s been able to take on entirely different roles and yet still deliver equally powerful performances. It’s the kind of acting that seems very natural, as seen in her portrayal of Caitlyn Spies in Boy Swallows Universe. With the way she’s going, it is only a matter of time before she blows up.
Mikey Madison
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
Not many know this, but way before she played Susan Atkins in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Mikey Madison was a competitive horseback rider. Early in her career, she found her footing in indie films like Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey, but her breakout as Max in Better Things showed what she’s made of. She played the moody, complicated daughter so well for five seasons of the show.
Then came Scream, where Madison flipped the script and brought a chilling edge that caught everyone off guard. She’s making a mark with how effortlessly she can jump between genres. On top of that, she often gravitates toward roles that explore complex, layered characters.
Talia Ryder
Image Credit: Netflix
Before catching everyone’s attention in film, Talia Ryder was captivating audiences on Broadway as part of Matilda the Musical. Her breakout came with Never Rarely Sometimes Always, where she played Skylar. Her performance earned her widespread praise in the indie film world.
Looking at the greatest actors ever, not many had an early break or early recognition in their careers. Ryder stands out because of how she has already grabbed the attention of critics and audiences alike, especially with her role in Never Rarely Sometimes Always. And if she keeps up the intensity she’s shown so far, Ryder is on track to establish herself in the industry.
Monica Barbaro
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
Many may know Monica Barbaro as Phoenix in Top Gun: Maverick, but she’s been around before then. In a film packed with heavy hitters, Barbaro held her own, bringing a grounded presence to the screen that was hard not to miss. Before her big break, she made several TV appearances in shows such as Unreal, Chicago P.D. and The Good Cop.
Her background as a trained dancer shows in her acting, particularly in dance scenes in At Midnight. But what’s so special about Barbaro is how she’s remained consistent. She may not be among the biggest names (yet) but she’s still giving it her all role after role.
Ayo Edebiri
Image Credit: FX on Hulu
Not only is she an exceptional upcoming actress, Ayo Edebiri is also a talented writer and comedian. She is already making a name for herself, particularly with her award-winning role as chef Sydney Adamuin in The Bear. As a writer, she is equally shaking things up having written and co-produced notable shows including Big Mouth. One might look at her works and accolades and question if she is truly an “upcoming actress”.
That just proves how impressive she is as an artist. Her versatility is probably her greatest strength, it’s not easy being an upcoming actress, TV writer, comedian, and consulting producer. Such determination and hard work can never go unnoticed for too long.
Maya Hawke
Image Credit: Netflix
Maya Hawke is not your typical upcoming actress in any way, she’s a musician, model and podcaster. She burst onto the scene with Stranger Things as Robin, the ice cream scooper turned monster hunter. Hawke may be an upcoming actress but she is certainly not new to the spotlight having modelled for luxury fashion brands like Vogue and Calvin Klein.
Coming from a family of actors, it’d be easy for her to rely on her parents’ names (Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman) but she is carving out her path. She’s taken on projects like Do Revenge that show off her comedic chops while still exploring deeper emotional themes. She seems like the kind of actress who’ll try anything once and somehow make it all work.
Nell Tiger Free
Image Credit: 20th Century Studios
Another upcoming actress worth mentioning is Nell Tiger Free. She has been on the screens since the age of 13, starting with roles in the films, Mr Stink and Broken. More notably she made appearances as Myrcella Baratheon in seasons 5 and 6 of Game of Thrones, replacing Aimee Richardson.
She went on to play Leanne Grayson in the TV series Servant, a performance that earned widespread praise. Since then, Free’s career has been steadily progressing, and in 2022, she was cast as Margaret in The First Omen. This marked her first starring role in a feature, and it’s likely just the beginning of many more to come.
Anna Sawai
Image Credit: FX on Hulu
After being one of the lead vocalists of girl group, Faky for five years, Anna Sawai decided to return to acting, in 2018. However, she was already acting before then. Her first role came at age 11 as the title character in Annie. She has since appeared in several blockbusters including the action film, F9 which marked her international breakthrough.
Sawai is already making history, her performance in Shōgun earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series—making her the first Japanese actress to ever win a Primetime Emmy and the first Asian actress to take home that award in the category. Not bad for an upcoming actress. The way she’s going it’s only a matter of time before she joins the big leagues.
Katy O’Brian
Image Credit: A24
Arguably one of the strongest upcoming actresses out there is none other than Katy O’Brian. Strongest because not only did she compete in two bodybuilding figure competitions and worked with the University of California Martial Arts Program, but she also was a police officer for seven years. O’Brian started her acting career with smaller roles in TV shows like The Walking Dead and How to Get Away with Murder.
She caught eyes in The Mandalorian as an Imperial officer. However, it was her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania that truly put her on the map. Interestingly, she is one of the few actors who has appeared in both the Star Wars and Marvel franchises. A clear sign of an actress destined for big things.
Dominique Fishback
Image Credit: Netflix
Dominique Fishback is another upcoming actress to keep an eye on. Although she started her career in theatre she’s already leaving her mark on the big screens. She first caught attention as Deborah Johnson in Judas and the Black Messiah, a performance so good it earned her a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
She pushed the envelope even further in Swarm, taking on a dark, complex role that showed just how fearless and versatile she is. Her time in theatre may have honed those sharp acting skills, but Fishback is proving to be an undeniable talent on the rise. Back in 2017, USA Today even named her one of the top five new faces to watch on TV, thanks to her standout performance in The Deuce.
