Renowned South African actress Thuso Mbedu won big at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, held at the Santa Monica Pier in California, in the USA this weekend.

The Emmy-nominated star took first place in the category ‘Best Female Performance in a New Series’ for her lead role in The Underground Railroad released in 2021.

She starred alongside Chase Dillon, William Jackson Harper and Joel Edgerton.

The actress also received an award for Outstanding Performance in a New Series for the same role at the Gotham Independent film awards in 2021.

Mbedu was first noticed by Hollywood for her role in the South African telenovela Is’thunzi for which she was nominated for an International Emmy.

She is currently working on a new film set to premier this September where she will star alongside actress and film producer, Viola Davis.