10 Upcoming Actors To Watch Out For In 2025

While there are plenty of famous actors with new movies coming out in 2025, the most exciting films to watch will be the ones featuring upcoming actors who are making their mark in film and television. Though few of these performers are new to the industry, in the past few years, they’ve been highlighted for their work in unique projects that have catapulted them into greater fame and demand. Touching upon every genre and niche of filmmaking, these actors have demonstrated their flexibility and interests in working across different fields and will be seen in innovative new works.

There are many exciting movies being released and upcoming TV shows returning in 2025 that will showcase the skills of new talent instead of retreading the abilities of actors who have been seen many times before. Though casting a well-known actor is a great way to draw audience members in, viewers are also interested in seeing new faces that will surprise them. These performers might not be universally known today, but it won’t take long for many of them to become household names.

7

Eiza González

Known for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) & 3 Body Problem (2024–)

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is far from the only action movie that Eiza González has lent her skills to in the past few years. Before her most recent contribution to the film industry, González starred in Baby Driver and anchored Netflix’s hit sci-fi series 3 Body Problem. As one of the best sci-fi TV shows of 2024, 3 Body Problem did a lot to showcase González’s skills in a new genre and demonstrate that she can fit into any narrative.

Fortunately, audiences won’t have to wait long to see more of González onscreen, as she’s attached to two movies slated to release in 2024, Ash and Fountain of Youth​​​​​. As González’s star continues to rise, viewers will realize that the actress has been a featured player in the film industry for many years but is finally getting cast in more prominent roles. With any luck, 3 Body Problem seasons 2 and 3 will see more from González and continue her success in both film and TV (via Netflix).

6

Megan Stalter

Known for Hacks (2021–) & Cora Bora (2023)

Megan Stalter continued to assert her comedic genius in Hacks season 3, and though the series has realized her value more with every season, the actress has the chops to lead her own show. Fortunately, Stalter was recently tapped to lead the upcoming TV series Too Much, co-created by Lena Dunham. This is exciting news and will help Stalter be recognized as one of the leading voices in comedy’s next generation.

In 2023, one of her recent forays into film premiered, the comedy Cora Bora, which allowed Stalter to shine in a leading role. It will be interesting to see how she balances future movie roles with the TV shows she’s a part of, but it’s not a stretch to say that film and television need all the Stalter they can get. Though Too Much doesn’t have a confirmed premiere date yet, hopefully, 2025 will be when audiences get to see Stalter shine in the new show.

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Hacks is an HBO-created comedy-drama series that follows two women, Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels, a comedian and a writer, who team up to revitalize their careers. When Deborah Vance realizes she’s about to lose her Las Vegas residency for her comedy act, she is sent a new writer named Ava, who has been essentially blacklisted from career opportunities due to a tweet sent out in poor taste. Both desperate to make things work, the two partner up, filling the gaps in each other’s lives professionally and personally.

Release Date

May 13, 2021

Network

HBO Max

Cast

Jean Smart
, Hannah Einbinder
, Carl Clemons-Hopkins

Seasons

2

Writers

Lucia Aniello

Directors

Lucia Aniello

Showrunner

Lucia Aniello

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5

Leo Woodall

Known for One Day (2024) & The White Lotus (2021–)

Easily oscillating between the charming romantic lead and the standoffish antagonist, Leo Woodall demonstrated both abilities in his latest TV shows, One Day and The White Lotus. The One Day TV show’s best quotes allowed audiences to fall in love with Woodall’s Dexter, even when the character was making all the wrong choices. Though it’s been enjoyable to see Woodall take on so many romantic parts, it will be even more interesting to see him return to the dark and mysterious archetype he played in The White Lotus.

Woodall’s next project will introduce him to quite a large audience, as he’s being featured in the rom-com blockbuster franchise Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. Unsurprisingly, Woodall will play one of Bridget’s love interests, playing off the talented and well-established Renée Zellweger. Fortunately, the fame he is likely to achieve from this new movie will be propelled by additional projects like Nomad and Nuremberg, two upcoming movies that Woodall has been confirmed to be part of.

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Despite their lives drifting apart after high school, Dex and Emma reunite one day every year as their lives run parallel. Love, heartbreak, and the experience of growing apart together lie at the center of this decade-spanning love story.

Release Date

February 8, 2024

Cast

Leo Woodall
, Ambika Mod
, Amber Grappy
, Tim McInnerny
, Jonny Weldon

Creator(s)

Nicole Taylor
, David Nicholls

Seasons

1

Writers

David Nicholls

Directors

Molly Manners

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4

Monica Barbaro

3

Known for A Complete Unknown (2024) & Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Viewers who have recently gone to the movies will recognize Monica Barbaro for her captivating performance as Joan Baez in the recent Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. Barbaro plays opposite Timothée Chalamet’s Dylan and holds her own as the well-known musical figure Baez. Prior to this, she was in the record-breaking Top Gun: Maverick and starred in the TV series Fubar as Emma alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. While two of these roles pushed her in terms of action, A Complete Unknown will put her in the conversation for more challenging roles.

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Fubar season 2 will be one of Barbaro’s most-watched projects in 2025, but it remains to be seen if her performance in A Complete Unknown will be singled out during awards season. As A Complete Unknown exits theaters and is made available on streaming in the coming months, even more audience members will have the opportunity to see Barbaro disappear into Baez. If her singing voice is any indication, Barbaro should be tapped for movie musicals in the future.

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A Complete Unknown is a biographical movie that follows a young Bob Dylan as he integrates with New York and catches the eye of the folk singers in the area, eventually propelling him into stardom.

Release Date

December 25, 2024

Cast

Timothée Chalamet
, Edward Norton
, Elle Fanning
, Monica Barbaro
, Nick Offerman
, Boyd Holbrook
, P.J. Byrne
, Scoot McNairy
, Dan Fogler
, Will Harrison
, Charlie Tahan
, Jon Gennari
, Norbert Leo Butz

Studio(s)

Searchlight Pictures
, The Picture Company
, Automatik Entertainment

2

Cole Escola

Known for Difficult People (2015-2017) & Oh, Mary (2024–)

Though Cole Escola has been memorable in every onscreen project they’ve lent their skills to, their most notable work to date has been the play Oh, Mary, which has been making waves since its transfer to Broadway after a critically acclaimed run off-Broadway. One of the best-reviewed plays of the year, Oh, Mary has cemented Escola as both a comedic and creative visionary. Though live theater isn’t as accessible as film and television, anyone who has the chance to see Oh, Mary should seek it out for the writing and Escola’s phenomenal performance.

However, in terms of film and TV, Escola can be seen in many smaller and recurring parts in comedic television, from Difficult People and Search Party to the short-lived HBO series The Girls on the Bus. A large part of their appeal is their undeniable presence and willingness to go the extra mile to make their characters unique and memorable. After Oh, Mary finishes its run, whatever Escola does next will be worth keeping an eye on.

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Difficult People follows Julie Kessler and Billy Epstein, two aspiring comedians in New York City. Despite their peers finding success in careers and love, Julie and Billy struggle with their personal and professional lives, growing increasingly embittered by their ongoing challenges. Released in 2015, the show is a comedic exploration of their journey.

Release Date

August 5, 2015

Network

Hulu

Cast

Jane Krakowski
, Micky Dolenz
, Patton Oswalt
, Scott Adsit
, Tina Fey
, Billy Eichner
, Gabourey Sidibe
, Julie Klausner
, Cole Escola
, Shakina Nayfack
, James Urbaniak
, Andrea Martin
, Chris Elliott
, H. Jon Benjamin
, Jessica Walter
, Mary Wiseman
, Geoffrey Dawe
, Ronni Lieberman
, Willam Belli
, Nyle DiMarco
, Faith Wladyka

Seasons

3

Writers

Scott King

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1

David Jonsson

Known for Alien: Romulus (2024) & Rye Lane (2023)

David Jonsson starred in the lesser-known 2023 rom-com Rye Lane, which immediately endeared him to all the audience members and critics. However, the sweet Dom is far from the only character archetype he’s taken on. In the vastly different Alien: Romulus, he plays Andy, the latest in the long line of androids who populate the Alien franchise. While being in a popular franchise isn’t the only way for actors to distinguish themselves, it’s been effective for Jonsson so far.

Also featured in the TV series Industry and Murder Is Easy, Jonsson has been slowly breaking out of the British market and forging into international fame. Jonsson has been singled out in almost every project he’s been a part of, and there’s little reason to believe that this will change as his career explodes. With a background in theater acting and an interest in writing and stepping behind the camera, Jonsson will be a name to watch in every aspect of film, television, and stage productions.

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Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the Alien franchise. The movie is directed by Fede Álvarez and will focus on a new young group of characters who come face to face with the terrifying Xenomorphs. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film and takes place in a time not yet explored in the Alien franchise.

Release Date

August 16, 2024

Runtime

119 Minutes

Cast

Cailee Spaeny
, David Jonsson
, Archie Renaux
, Isabela Merced
, Spike Fearn
, Aileen Wu
, Rosie Ede
, Soma Simon
, Bence Okeke
, Viktor Orizu
, Robert Bobroczkyi
, Trevor Newlin
, Annemarie Griggs
, Daniel Betts

Director

Fede Alvarez

Writers

Fede Alvarez
, Rodo Sayagues
, Dan O’Bannon
, Ronald Shusett

Studio(s)

Scott Free Productions
, 20th Century

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Katy O’Brian

Known for Twisters (2024) & Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

2024 was the year of Katy O’Brian; with her standout performances in Love Lies Bleeding and Twisters, O’Brian has made herself known to critics and audiences alike. With a background in professional bodybuilding, O’Brian was the perfect choice for Love Lies Bleeding and has been tapped for many action-oriented projects like The Mandalorian and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. However, in Love Lies Bleeding, O’Brian got to exercise a more complex emotional side of her performances as an actor.

For now, the most exciting news in terms of O’Brian’s upcoming performances will be her work in the highly anticipated Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Though her role in Twisters was smaller, it showed how well O’Brian can build chemistry with an ensemble cast and allowed the actor to try out a new genre. There are ways that Twisters sets up a sequel, but the future of the franchise and O’Brian’s place in it are still up in the air. For now, the most exciting news in terms of O’Brian’s upcoming performances will be her work in the highly anticipated Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

A follow-up to the 1996 original film Twister, Twisters is a sequel set years after the original, said to be fast-tracked by Steven Spielberg and Mark L. Smith, with Frank Marshal as producer. Little details exist about the film, but Helen Hunt is expected to reprise her role as Jo, with the film likely to pay homage to the late Bill Paxton.

Specifications

Release Date

2024-07-19

Rating

PG-13

Runtime

117 Minutes

Genres

Action (Genre), Adventure (Genre), Thriller (Genre)

Cast

Daisy Edgar-Jones (Person), Glen Powell (Person), Anthony Ramos (Person), Brandon Perea (Person), Daryl McCormack (Person)

Director

Lee Isaac Chung (Person)

Writers

Mark L. Smith (Person), Joseph Kosinski (Person), Michael Crichton (Person), Anne-Marie Martin (Person)

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures (Brand), Warner Bros. Pictures (Brand), Amblin Entertainment (Brand), The Kennedy/Marshall Company (Brand)

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Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Twisters (2024)	75%	90%

Drew Starkey

Known for Queer (2024) & Outer Banks (2020–)

Depending on how viewers know Drew Starkey, perceptions of his performances vary greatly. For fans of Outer Banks, Starkey’s Rafe has been a complicated character to follow throughout the seasons of Netflix’s teen drama. However, for those who were introduced to Starkey through his performance in Luca Guadagnino’s 2024 film Queer, it’s not difficult to see why he’s being more widely discussed. Though Queer hasn’t been an overwhelming hit with critics or at the box office, Starkey’s performance has been appreciated.

Early in his career, Starkey was firmly placed in the teen drama genre, appearing in films like The Hate U Give and Love, Simon. However, as he’s aged into more nuanced roles and projects, Starkey has proved his staying power as an actor. In terms of film roles, there hasn’t been much news about Starkey’s future. However, Queer becoming more widely available has helped the movie and allowed critics and viewers to see how well Starkey can play off of a veteran actor like Daniel Craig.

Queer chronicles the life of American expat William Lee in 1950s Mexico City. His solitary existence changes with the arrival of Eugene Allerton, a young student, sparking a profound connection and altering Lee’s interactions within a small American community.

Specifications

Release Date

2024-11-27

Runtime

135 Minutes

Genres

Drama (Genre), Biography (Genre), History (Genre)

Cast

Daniel Craig (Person), Drew Starkey (Person), Jason Schwartzman (Person), Lesley Manville (Person), Henrique Zaga (Person), Drew Droege (wm-7240233 | Person), Omar Apollo (Person), Andra Ursuta (Person), Ariel Schulman (wm-71072281 | Person), David Lowery (wm-71213025 | Person), Daan de Wit (Person), Colin Bates (wm-71178169 | Person), Simon Rizzoni (Person), Silverio Castro (Person), Octavio Mendoza (Person), Amir Antonio Samande Chavez (Person), Andrea Montserrat Rios Hernandez (Person), Claudio Cardenas (Person)

Director

Luca Guadagnino (Person)

Writers

William S. Burroughs (Person), Justin Kuritzkes (Person)

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Queer (2024)	77%	58%

Mikey Madison

Known for Anora (2024) & Better Things (2016–2022)

The name on everyone’s lips in the Best Actress conversation for the 2025 awards season has been Mikey Madison. Sean Baker’s latest movie, Anora, stars Madison as the titular Anora, and though the film itself has stirred up some controversy, Madison herself has only been universally praised. From her early acting experiences in the TV series Better Things, Madison developed a skill that translates to the more mature and demanding work she’s taken on today.

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Whatever’s next for Madison must somehow expand upon her work in Anora and allow her to step outside the archetype that playing this character has created for her. If Madison is recognized in the coming awards season, as most predict she will be, it will set her career on a new track and open doors for collaborating with actors and directors of all kinds. Madison has already been nominated for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, heralding an exciting 2025 for the actor.

Anora’s life takes a dramatic twist when she impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, catapulting her from the streets of Brooklyn to a world of opulence and scrutiny. As her new in-laws arrive with plans to dismantle the hasty union, Anora must navigate the cultural and social chasms between her past and her present. The film, directed by Sean Baker, masterfully blends sharp social commentary with heartfelt drama, painting a vivid picture of love, identity, and the unexpected consequences of a fairytale gone awry.

Specifications

Release Date

2024-10-18

Runtime

139 Minutes

Genres

Comedy (Genre), Drama (Genre), Romance (Genre)

Cast

Mikey Madison (Person), Mark Eydelshteyn (Person), Karren Karagulian (Person), Yuriy Borisov (Person), Vache Tovmasyan (Person), Ivy Wolk (Person), Luna Sofía Miranda (Person), Ross Brodar (Person), Lindsey Normington (Person), Darya Ekamasova (Person), Emily Weider (Person), Alena Gurevich (Person), Masha Zhak (Person), Paul Weissman (Person), Charlton Lamar (Person), Aleksey Serebryakov (Person), Ella Rubin (Person), Vincent Radwinsky (Person), Michael Sergio (Person), Brittney Rodriguez (Person), Sophia Carnabuci (Person), Anton Bitter (Person), Zoë Vnak (Person)

Director

Sean Baker (Person)

Writers

Sean Baker (Person)

Studio(s)

Cre Film (Studio), FilmNation Entertainment (Studio)

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Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Anora (2024)	95%	90%

Geraldine Viswanathan

Known for Drive-Away Dolls (2024) & Miracle Workers (2019–2023)

The campy and polarizing 2024 comedy Drive-Away Dolls saw Geraldine Viswanathan continue to shine in offbeat comedies. For the past several years, Viswanathan has been a vital part of the anthology series Miracle Workers alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi. No matter what outlandish setting and unbelievable circumstances Miracle Workers put Viswanathan in, she was always up to the challenge and drew audiences in with her scene-stealing performances. Her chemistry with her costars is part of Viswanathan’s appeal, but she’s just as compelling on her own.

It would be easy to mistake Viswanathan for the straight-man in many of her comedic projects, but it quickly becomes clear that she can get in just as many hilarious moments with a silly or serious character. One of Viswanathan’s next projects will be Marvel’s Thunderbolts, which will be her introduction to the MCU. While it will be fun to see Viswanathan in a fast-paced action movie, it’s unlikely that audiences have seen the last of her comedic work in a variety of genres.

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From director Ethan Coen comes Drive-Away Dolls, a comedic road-show-styled film that stars two best friends that head out on a road trip that goes hilariously awry. Following Jamie’s recent break-up and her friend Marian’s inflexibility hitting its peak, the two decide to hit the road to Florida – until they accidentally run into a group of bumbling criminals.

Release Date

February 23, 2024

Director

Ethan Coen

Writers

Ethan Coen
, Tricia Cooke

Studio(s)

Working Title Films