South African Actress Thuso Mbedu Snags Her Second International Emmy Nomination

The SAFTA award-winning talent is being recognized for her role in Mzansi Magic teen drama, "Is'thunzi."

South African Actress Thuso Mbedu Snags Her Second International Emmy Nomination

Thuso Mbedu will have her eyes set on bringing a gold statue home to South Africa at the 46th International Emmy Awards this year.

This will be the second consecutive Emmy nomination for the actress, Channel 24 reports, as she's been nominated in the Best Actress category for her role in Is'thunzi, a drama series on Mzansi Magic. Mbedu's nomination is the only African representation at this year's awards ceremony.


The 27-year-old took to Twitter to share the great news.

Is'thunzi is Mzansi Magic's first teen drama, unfolding the struggles teenagers from all walks of life face with the choices they make on the way to adulthood.

Mbedu plays Winnie in the series, a sassy born-free teen who dreams of marrying a rich and famous rugby player. She leads a group of go-getter girls who refer to themselves as "Ninjas"—she meets them when she's forced to live with her strict aunt in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. The girls band together to help Winnie snag her dream man while searching for their own happy endings.

"We have told so many stories over the years, but had not fully explored the lives of Mzansi's youth—Is'thunzi will do just that," Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's head of drama told Channel 24 when the show premiered. "This drama will dissect what it means to be young and full of potential but having to overcome financial, social, and cultural barriers in order to make something of yourself."

The short reel highlighting Mbedu's performance as Winnie is riveting and shows this second Emmy nod is well-deserved.

Watch below.

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