Having recently rolled into 2022, there’s a whole slate of movies and television shows to get excited about, from blockbusters to indie favorites — and with them, emerging talents of the moment to keep an eye on.
They’ve worked alongside some of today’s most reputable talents and even garnered well-deserved praise by many. The actors featured are poised to make breakthroughs — some having had a long career already and only now getting the spotlight, while others have only a few projects under their belts, thus far.
Talia Ryder
From Indies to Spielberg — Talia Ryder took a gamble on her life. In 2015, at the age of thirteen, Ryder convinced her mother to let her audition for Matilda the Musical on Broadway. With her breakout role as Hortensia, she went on to star in the critically acclaimed, Sundance awarded film Never Rarely Sometimes Always. With her brave, and stunning portrayal of the character, the young actress went on to join the cast of West Side Story and even appeared in Olivia Rodrigo’s music video for Deja Vu.
Although Ryder’s career has just started, she has proven that she has what it takes to make it in the industry — slated to star alongside Diane Kruger in Joika, as the titular role of Joy Womack.
Bailee Madison
Having started her career as a child actor, Bailee Madison has worked with a number of the industry’s biggest names — Jennifer Aniston, Natalie Portman, Selena Gomez, Bette Midler. Madison first gained acclaim in Bridge to Terabithia for her role of May Belle Aarons. Received further recognition for her starring role in Brothers, and as a young Snow White in Once Upon A Time.
With hard work and perseverance, Madison has been given the opportunity to work on projects with quite diverse and challenging roles. The young actress is currently filming Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, as one of the lead characters within the story.
Jenna Ortega
A decade into her career, having worked in many award-winning productions — Jenna Ortega rose to prominence playing a young Jane Villanueva in CW's iconic comedy series Jane the Virgin. Not letting cultural barriers and prejudice hinder her career, the actress has worked with some of the most prestigious studios — starring in horror projects such as The Babysitter: Killer Queen, and Scream.
Having participated in more than fifteen television series and blockbuster movies to date, Ortega always puts out the most stellar performances. Be on the lookout for her upcoming performance in Ti West’s X, and as Wednesday Addams in Netflix series Wednesday.
Kiernan Shipka
Best known for her breakout role as Sally Draper in Mad Men and Sabrina Spellman in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina — Kiernan Shipka has amassed quite the resume throughout her career. But many may not know that the young actress actually got her start on Jimmy Kimmel Live when she was just six years old — appearing in a variety of comedy skits, the most memorable being that of when she portrayed a student in Britney Spears' dance class.
Throughout the years Shipka has garnered numerous awards and accolades of praise for her performances. Audiences can anticipate seeing the actress in Swimming with Sharks, alongside Diane Kruger, set to premiere on Roku on April 15th — with several other projects in the works.
Nicole Kang
Making history when she transformed into the iconic Poison Ivy in season three of Batwoman — Nicole Kang is slowly but surely becoming a household name. With the encouragement of a visiting professor, Kang took a chance — going from an accounting major to attending NYU for acting — the rest is history. Since the start of her career, Kang has starred in Netflix hit series You, and won best supporting performance at the Vancouver Horror Show for Ten Minutes To Midnight.
Through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, Nicole Kang is proving to be a force to reckon with — whether it’s acting, producing, or directing. The actress is producing the short film Jack and Jane and is also set to start filming a project in June.
Simone Ashley
A virtually unknown actress with “pennies left in my bank account” — Simone Ashley landed the role of Olivia Hanan in Sex Education. Not only has the actress recently been seen sitting in the front row at the Prada and Chanel shows, but has also been anointed “newest style star” by Vogue at last year’s British Fashion Awards.
Simone Ashley will surely be catapulted into untouchable fame — set to star in the second season of Bridgerton as the lead Kate Sharma, Anthony Bridgerton’s love interest.
Maude Apatow
Nepo baby Maude Apatow has been a part of Hollywood for over a decade, but she’s surely making her own mark — throughout the years, appearing in movies like Knocked Up, Funny People, and This Is 40 — having recently starred in Ryan Murphy’s miniseries Hollywood, and playing Lexi Howard in HBO’s Euphoria.
If Apatow’s character arc in Euphoria is anything to go by, we will be seeing more of the actress in future projects, with the promise of more brilliance — intense and layered performances. She is set to star in AMC animated series Pantheon.
Camila Morrone
Many may know her as Al Pacino’s stepdaughter, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriend, Camila Morrone — appearing on Sports Illustrated, the cover of Vogue Turkey, and the film Never Goin’ Back. The model-turned-actress made her debut in James Franco’s film Bukowski and went on to star in Death Wish.
A woman of much talent — Camila Morrone is set to star as Camila Dunne in the upcoming Amazon miniseries Daisy Jones & The Six opposite Riley Keough.
Melissa Barrera
The new scream queen of Woodsboro — Melissa Barrera has quite an impressive resume. Having attended the Collaborative Arts Project 21 as part of the Tisch School of Arts in NYU, then having gained critical acclaim during her time on the reality show La Academia of TV Azteca, to most recently In the Heights, and Scream.
Through hard work and dedication, Barrera successfully became the face of Mexican television — earning critical acclaim for her acting time and again, landing lead roles in projects, and winning awards during her theatre runs. Hollywood is in luck, with Barrera’s entrancing and immersing talents — slated to play the leading role in upcoming movie-musical Carmen, with a couple of other projects in the works.
Emma Mackey
Rising star Emma Mackey just wants to be herself — often being compared to Margot Robbie for their facial resemblance, the actress wants to be known for her work, as she should. The time and dedication she puts into her acting jobs can be seen by many — Mackey’s breakthrough role in Sex Education as Maeve Wiley gained her international acclaim, and she went on to receive a BAFTA nomination for Best Female Comedy Performance.
Catapulting to the top, Emma Mackey wants to be in control, to be braver and more dynamic in the projects she gets involved in. Having recently been a part of films such as Death on the Nile, and Eiffel, the young star is set to star as Emily Brontë, the titular role in Emily.
Momona Tamada
The one to watch — Momona Tamada has not only appeared in one of Netflix’s most successful global film franchises to date, To All the Boys, but she’s also an award-winning dancer, having competed since the age of 4. Tamada landed her breakout role as Claudia Kishi in The Baby-Sitters Club.
Bringing charming and heartfelt characters to life — Tamada is set to star in Paramount’s action film Secret Headquarters, alongside Owen Wilson and Michael Peña.
Camille Cottin
In-the-know sensation Camille Cottin became a household name in the French media for her appearance in Canal+ sketch comedy Connasse, The Parisian Bitch, and Princess of Hearts. Cottin’s international recognition came when she starred in the Netflix series Call My Agent as the truehearted talent agent Andréa Martel.
The funny, sexy, and mysterious actress is making waves — from co-starring with Matt Damon in Stillwater to stealing Lady Gaga’s husband in House of Gucci, and most recently having quite the steamy scenes with Sandra Oh in Killing Eve. “There’s a desire to see women who’ve been invisible.” It’ll be quite the opposite for Camille Cottin — slated to be working on a surprise season of Call My Agent, and Golda, starring Helen Mirren.
Saniyya Sidney
From one icon to the next — at the age of 14, Saniyya Sidney has already worked with some of the industry’s most respected actors and directors — Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Viola Davis to name a few. Sidney has won a SAG award for Best Ensemble and cast as the lead in Amy Bellafonte’s series The Passage.
Destiny seems to have called upon this young actress — having taken on roles that challenge, and allow her to shine. Sidney most recently played Venus Williams in King Richard and is set to portray Sasha Obama in The First Lady.