Culture

The Rising Stars You Need To Know Now

Thanks to a thrilling array of TV shows, award-worthy movies, buzzed-about novels and future-headliner albums, these are the actors, musicians, filmmakers and writers everyone has been talking about this summer. By OLIVE WAKEFIELD, VICTORIA NEWTON-SYMS and KATIE BERRINGTON

Lifestyle
Nia Smith

NIA SMITH

A proud alumnus of prestigious performing arts academy The BRIT School, Nia Smith has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices of her generation. Smith’s music is a tapestry of influences – from Aretha Franklin to Little Simz, reggae, RnB, acoustic and soul – sung in her signature smoky vocals. Fresh from supporting SZA, Mahalia and Tems, Smith will headline Hackney Church in London in September, performing songs from her critically acclaimed debut album, Give Up the Fear. Nia Smith plays Hackney Church, London, on September 25

KARLA MARIE SWEET

Multi-hyphenate Karla Marie Sweet has literary, scriptwriting and acting credits to her name. She publishes essays on her own Substack, The Ampersand, and her debut novel, Another Life, was released as an Audible Original last year, voiced by Erin Doherty and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Sweet’s newly released second novel, False Idols – about cult and charisma in the LA wellness community – promises a compulsive read. ‘False Idols’ is out now

Karla Marie Sweet
Eva Victor

EVA VICTOR

Eva Victor makes a bold leap from sharp-witted performer to filmmaker with Sorry, Baby, her feature directorial debut that premiered at Sundance 2025. The movie – also written by Victor – explores a woman’s journey through trauma and healing with a darkly comic touch. Winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, the standout project confirms her as a fresh and compelling new voice in independent cinema. ‘Sorry, Baby’ is in movie theaters from August 22

Alessi Rose

ALESSI ROSE

From writing in her bedroom to singing at stadiums with Dua Lipa, Alessi Rose has had this year’s most meteoric ascent. Her upcoming album, Voyeur, sees Rose collaborate with Harry Styles producer Sammy Witte and Gracie Abrams producer Sam de Jong. The result is a kaleidoscopic journey through genres. In September, Rose will kick off her first-ever headline tour, which, like her recent LA show, is on course to be a sellout. Alessi Rose headlines Kentish Town Forum in London November 24 and 25

RADHIKA APTE

Radhika Apte delivered a standout performance in Sister Midnight, the surreal black comedy that premiered at Cannes 2024. Her role earned her a nomination for Best Lead Performance at the British Independent Film Awards, and the movie itself received a Bafta nomination. For her next project, Apte is stepping behind the camera with Kotya, her directorial debut – an action-fantasy about a migrant with superpowers – further showcasing her dynamic range in cinema. ‘Sister Midnight’ is out now

Radhika Apte
Sandra Yi Sencindiver

SANDRA YI SENCINDIVER

Sandra Yi Sencindiver’s resume spans global TV shows such as The Wheel of Time, as well as talking-point Scandi crime dramas like The Bridge. A filmmaker as well as an actor, her own project, Seeking Hwa Sun, has been nominated at several festivals. Her latest major outing is in Ridley Scott’s Alien: Earth, the franchise’s first foray on the small screen. Sencindiver’s activism is equally conversation-starting: she was an initiator of the viral campaign A Bigger Picture, challenging homogenous white casting in Danish TV and movies. ‘Alien: Earth’ is on Disney+ now

LUNA BLAISE

Luna Blaise takes a giant leap into blockbuster territory with Jurassic World: Rebirth, while keeping her indie roots alive in the raw coming-of-age movie Dirty Finger Nails. After her breakout in sci-fi TV series Manifest, these projects will see her flex both range and star power – a sharp move for an actor carving out a genre-crossing path. ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ is in movie theaters now

Luna Blaise
Sara Sampaio

SARA SAMPAIO

Best known for walking the runway and starring in campaigns for the likes of Giorgio Armani, Miu Miu and Victoria’s Secret, Sara Sampaio steps into full movie-star mode in James Gunn’s recently released Superman. Cast as Eve Teschmacher, Lex Luthor’s dangerously charming confidante, Sampaio joins the DC universe with a role that’s rich in both style and substance – and one that’s set to reshape her on-screen career. ‘Superman’ is out now

K-pop girl group ILLIT

ILLIT

The K-Pop behemoth shows no signs of slowing down, and ILLIT is the latest outfit to take the mainstream by storm. The quintet, comprising Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee and Iroha, have already broken records with their debut EP, Super Real Me – an effervescent dance-pop riot. Their critically-acclaimed mini album, Bomb (their third release) – a five-track explosion of pop, electro and hip-hop that will get everyone dancing. ‘Bomb’ is out now

LILY McINERNY

Her role in Bonjour Tristesse – the recent adaptation of Françoise Sagan’s 1954 coming-of-age novel, with Chloë Sevigny – has propelled New York-born actor Lily McInerny’s career to new heights. But it was her breakthrough (landed when she was only 19) that set her on course to stardom: McInerny’s lead role in the 2022 Sundance-premiered Palm Trees and Power Lines garnered critical acclaim and saw her nominated for Best Breakthrough Performance at the Independent Spirit Awards. ‘Bonjour Tristesse’ is out now

Lily McInerny
Amita Rao

AMITA RAO

Earning her stripes on the same Chicago improv circuit that produced comedy icons Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Amita Rao is the new funny girl on the (Hollywood) block. Following two showcases for Saturday Night Live and a memorable part on cult-comedy Deli Boys, Rao has landed a major role on Hulu’s tentpole comedy series Adults. Rao’s ‘Issa’ is the highlight of the show, which is being hailed as the Friends of the TikTok generation. ‘Adults’ is available to stream on FX and Hulu now

NELL VERLAQUE

A24’s Overcompensating – the college-set comedy series created by comedian Benito Skinner, and exec-produced by Charli XCX, who also makes a hilarious cameo – is fast becoming one of the most meme-ed, must-see shows of 2025. It adds to the bio of rising star Nell Verlaque, known for Big Shot and Thanksgiving, and soon to be seen in the upcoming TV show American Classic, playing Laura Linney’s daughter, which will further cement the actor as one to watch. ‘Overcompensating’ is on Amazon Prime Video now

Nell Verlaque
Annahstasia

ANNAHSTASIA

“Power-folk” is how artist Annahstasia Enuke describes her singular sound. Her 2019 debut EP, Sacred Bull, drew comparisons to Nina Simone and Janis Joplin and caught the attention of Lenny Kravitz, for whom she opened for on the European leg of his last tour. Enuke kicked off the year with a stellar collab with Kendrick Lamar and SZA and, at last, she has dropped her debut album, Tether – a soul-baring masterpiece that has been many years in the making. Tether is out now

CHLOE PIRRIE

In Dept. Q, Netflix’s stylish adaptation of the Nordic noir thrillers, Chloe Pirrie plays Merritt Lingard – a missing prosecutor whose disappearance sets off the entire series. With previous scene-stealing turns in star-studded shows including The Queen’s Gambit, Under the Banner of Heaven and The Crown, Pirrie more than proves her place alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Watch this space, as more lead roles are sure to follow. ‘Dept. Q’ is on Netflix now

Chloe Pirrie

IMMY WATERHOUSE

Waterhouse has returned to season two with an even meatier script for her beleaguered character. Off-screen, she’s been dabbling in directing, working with her sister, the actor and musician Suki Waterhouse, on a handful of her music videos. ‘The Buccaneers’ season 2 is on Apple TV+ now

Maisie Richardson-Sellers

MAISIE RICHARDSON-SELLERS

Having cut her acting teeth while studying at Oxford, Guyanese-British actor Maisie Richardson-Sellers already has an eclectic portfolio of roles under her belt. These include Wolf Hall, The Kissing Booth sequels and Legends of Tomorrow (which she also directed two episodes of). This summer, she takes it up a notch in Hulu’s cult wellness-themed series Nine Perfect Strangers, alongside Nicole Kidman. More impressive still, she’s the founder of Barefaced Productions, which champions stories that subvert stereotypes and platforms marginalized voices. ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ is on Hulu now