11 Exciting Names 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 will be talking about over the coming months. By OLIVE WAKEFIELD and KATIE BERRINGTON
MINHA KIM
The first series of Pachinko, based on Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel, won countless awards when it came out in 2022 – and now this sweeping saga has been renewed for a second season. This is the series where Minha Kim’s character Sunja emerges from the sidelines to steer the storyline, stepping into her role as matriarch and moral compass of the show. Of her character, Kim says, “I instinctively connected to Sunja. It was a rare experience for me to think, ‘I have to do this, I have to tell this story’. Award whispers are already heading her way.
Season two of Pachinko is on Apple TV+ now
AISLING FRANCIOSI
Aisling Franciosi has a career-defining year ahead. This month sees the actor take top-billing alongside James McAvoy in the Jason Blum-produced thriller Speak No Evil – a family vacation of nightmares. Next up, she reunites with her former The Fall co-star Gillian Anderson on The Abandons, a Western-with-a-twist by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter. “Gillian is a total pro,” she says. “Who could have known I’d get to work with her so closely again?” On the horizon, Franciosi joins the Sam Taylor-Johnson-directed biopic Rothko as Kate Rothko, daughter of the prolific painter, alongside Russell Crowe and Aaron Taylor- Johnson. And then there is the indie comedy Turn Up The Sun!, in which she once more shares the screen with McAvoy. “He brings great energy to the set, commits 1,000% and is still, even with all his years of experience, so enthusiastic about the work. Not to mention that he’s funny as hell.”
Speak No Evil is in cinemas now
JENNY WALSER
Heartstopper, based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel, was one of those zeitgeist TV moments that had the whole world talking when it first released in 2022. Now entering its third season, it is Jenny Walser’s character Tori’s time to shine. The show will delve into her relationship with younger brother Charlie (Joe Locke) as they grow older and navigate the pressures of young adulthood in tandem. “Heartstopper is an incredibly hopeful show. It makes you feel like you’re not alone,” says Walser. “People really need a little dose of joy these days, and Heartstopper is just that. I’m so proud to be part of a show that offers such positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Heartstopper is on Netflix from October 3
MARIELLE HELLER
For her first feature-film writer and director credit since her award-winning debut The Diary of a Teenage Girl in 2015 (with director credits for the Oscar-nominated Can You Ever Forgive Me? and A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood in between), Marielle Heller has taken the reins of adapting Rachel Yoder’s Nightbitch for the big screen. Starring Amy Adams (who also served as a producer), the magical-realism comedy-horror got its premiere at Toronto Film Festival and is every bit as electrifyingly raw and cutting in its surreal depiction of early motherhood as the bestselling book.
Nightbitch is released on December 6
ODESSA YOUNG
Australian actor Odessa Young has already shared a screen with many of the acting world’s elite – Olivia Colman, Josh O’Connor and Elisabeth Moss to name but a few – and this year the starry roles are still coming in thick and fast. It was recently announced that she will play Bruce Springsteen’s love interest in the long-awaited biopic of the rockstar’s life – opposite The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White playing The Boss himself. Before the biopic hits our screens, Young has indie project My First Film – a metafictional drama on which she worked with esteemed director Zia Anger – as well two hotly-tipped TV shows; WWII drama The Narrow Road to the Deep North with Saltburn’s Jacob Elordi, and Black Rabbit alongside Jude Law and Jason Bateman.
My First Film is available to stream now on Mubi
LAUFEY
Jazz may not be the most obvious music of choice for Gen Z, but Icelandic-born singer Laufey has completely charmed the cool crowd and collected a Grammy along the way. Her sophomore album Bewitched was a singular jazz-pop crossover moment – one that few artists have managed to pull off – opening the door for a world tour and collaborations with the likes of Mitski, Raye and Beabadoobee. This fall, Laufey will put out her third studio album in three years – a phenomenal achievement for the relative newcomer.
Laufey’s new album releases soon
MEGAN PARK
Writer-director Megan Park follows her award-winning directorial debut The Fallout (2021) with My Old Ass this fall – produced by none other than Margot Robbie. Having premiered at Sundance Film Festival, the coming-of-age comedy-drama stars Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stellar as the lead character Elliot at different ages, when she is about to leave for college (via a magic-mushrooms trip, which explains the meeting with her future self). As with Park’s first foray into directing, in which Jenna Ortega starred, it showcases the filmmaker’s talent for tackling themes of queer identity, growing up and self-discovery, with a far more thoughtful and authentic approach than the coming-of-age clichés. A must-see this fall.
My Old Ass is in cinemas from September 27
SERAPHINA SIMONE
You may have spotted Seraphina Simone pulling shapes and lending backing vocals for Self Esteem’s Rebecca Lucy Taylor during her live shows. But over the last year, Simone has stepped into the limelight with her mesmeric solo material; most recently releasing a tipping-point record, Wild, the title track of which she co-wrote with Harry Styles contributor Dan Ewins. It is a soul-stirring, alt-pop odyssey, with Simone’s soaring vocals untangling issues such as self-worth, longing and heartbreak. “A lot of emotional excavation went into Wild,” says Simone. “[Writing it] gave me a sense of permission to not be ashamed of the knottier stuff; the stuff that doesn’t fit into who I think I am.” She recently signed to Yala! Records, founded by 86TVs and former The Maccabees guitarist Felix White – a label known for discovering exciting talent, so expect more great things to come from this singular songstress.
Wild EP is out now
JESSICA WILLIAMS
From a memorable part in Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart to her viral-podcast 2 Dope Girls (which HBO commissioned for TV), Jessica Williams is one of the smartest actors, writers and producers in young Hollywood. Although this year she has shared a screen with Jake Gyllenhaal in Road House, it is her role in the award-winning series Shrinking that has catapulted her career forwards. Along with Jason Segel, her character Gaby drives the show – following two therapists whose complex personal lives start spilling into their work. It has been renewed for a second season, dropping next month, and has teased an interesting twist in Gaby’s arc. Stay tuned to see another pitch-perfect performance from this Emmy-nominated actor.
Shrinking is on Apple TV+ from October 16
KATIE GAVIN
Her band MUNA’s heartfelt sound has garnered a devoted following and lead singer Katie Gavin’s debut solo album is on course to do the same. Written over seven years, What a Relief promises the poetry and escapism that Gavin has become known for, as well as contributions from Mitski and Phoebe Bridgers, whose label Gavin is signed to. Bridgers was a key cog in the making of the album, Gavin explains: “Her best advice comes from what she does herself, which is just to not be afraid of editing, and being honest about if you could make something better than it is.” Opening shows for Taylor Swift’s gargantuan The Eras world tour has given Gavin food for thought for her own upcoming headline tour. “I was mainly inspired by how Taylor and her team take care of everyone who works on the show… It makes a really big difference when everyone that makes the show possible feels considered and cared for – and the overall product is going to be above and beyond.”
What a Relief is out on October 25
ABI DARÉ
Four years on from her New York Times bestseller The Girl with the Louding Voice, author and writer Abi Daré has released her sophomore novel, And So I Roar, which picks up on protagonist Adunni’s life after leaving her small Nigerian village. It is a heart-wrenching story of self-discovery (and the audiobook is voiced by Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh), but Daré’s impact goes far beyond her novels. A keynote speaker and with a newly presented honorary doctorate, she has also started the Louding Voice Educational and Empowerment Foundation with the purpose of empowering girls and women in underserved communities.
And So I Roar is out now