Jason Harris
There are talented individuals all around the world, from rising music stars to athletes with undoubted potential, but it’s the Hollywood stage where some of the planet’s biggest up-and-comers are truly stealing the limelight. Aiming to follow in the footsteps of Meryl and Leo, these gifted on-screen performers are expected to gain even more recognition in the near future.
While some rising stars are relatively new in Hollywood and are perhaps fresh out of drama school, there are others who have been patiently waiting in the wings for an opportunity to showcase their undoubted talent. For instance, some actors have only been in one movie, while others have featured in a number of productions but are only now just gaining the attention they deserve. The same smartphones people use to play Starburst slot games and talk to friends on WhatsApp are now enabling people to follow these bright actors on social media or on YouTube. Soon, though, some of Hollywood’s brightest actors are expected to grace red carpet events more regularly and make even more of a name for themselves. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a number of budding actors that are expected to conquer Hollywood in 2022 and beyond.
Cooper Hoffman, 18
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s son, Cooper Hoffman, might only have just a single movie under his belt, but his acting potential is undeniable. Playing teenager Gary Valentine in Licorice Pizza, Hoffman has won plenty of admirers during his short career in television so far. Cooper Hoffman deserves time to flourish, of course, but he is an actor that we’re expecting to see a lot more of in the near future.
Saniyya Sidney, 15
After appearing in King Richard, many movie critics were hugely impressed by Saniyya Sidney’s charisma and evident acting talent in the production. Playing as a young Venus Williams, the junior actress initially graced our television screens in shows such as American Horror Story: Roanoke, before being cast in the powerful tennis-based movie. The immensely charismatic 15-year-old has also appeared in the movie Fences. She is gearing up to play Michelle Obama’s young daughter, Sasha, in an upcoming Showtime biopic, too.
Simone Ashley, 26
Netflix’s huge hit Sex Education is expected to produce a number of stars off the back of its undoubted success. One of them is Simone Ashley, a fairly insignificant character in the show that showcased enough talent to earn herself a role in the massive hit show, Bridgerton. Also appointed as the steamy show’s “newest style star” by Vogue, the talented actress is a likeable personality who oozes style whenever she has been snapped at events. Simone Ashley’s potential to clear to see, that’s for sure.
Simu Liu, 32
An actor who has had to bide his time in order to earn his first big break, Simu Liu can still be considered a rising star despite being at the more mature age of 32. After starring in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Liu immediately shot to stardom despite featuring in rom-com One True Loves and adventure drama Arthur the King. His pathway to the Marvel movie wasn’t as straightforward as many other actors, with a number of obstacles along the way. In fact, Simu Liu says that he has been on the receiving end of discrimination at times in his career, saying: “As an actor of colour, I was overlooked at every possible opportunity. I was given roles that were almost not roles. It was, like, scared asian guy.”
Special mention must also go to Lydia West (28) and Camille Cottin (43).
Editorial credit: Eugene Powers & Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
Jason Harris
