South African Hollywood sensation Thuso Mbedu has officially sent fans into a frenzy, sharing an exclusive first look at her highly anticipated fantasy blockbuster, Children of Blood and Bone.
Taking to Instagram, the Emmy-nominated actress shared a series of character reveals and behind-the-scenes glimpses, offering a sneak peek into the rich, mythical African world brought to life on the big screen. The film, which was proudly shot on location in South Africa, is scheduled for a global theatrical release on January 15, 2027.
Bringing Orïsha to Life: The Star-Studded Cast
Based on the wildly successful, New York Times bestselling novel by Tomi Adeyemi, Children of Blood and Bone is directed by the acclaimed Gina Prince-Bythewood. The epic tells the story of Zélie Adebola (played by Mbedu), a fierce young woman on a perilous quest to restore magic to her people after a ruthless king banished it from their mythical kingdom.
Thuso’s social media reveal gave eager fans their first glimpse of the film’s stunning characters:
- Thuso Mbedu as the heroic Zélie
- Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari
- Tosin Cole as Zélie’s brother, Tzain
- Damson Idris as Prince Inan
- Viola Davis as the wise Mama Agba
The epic’s powerhouse ensemble cast also features legendary names including Regina King, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, and Saran played by a yet-to-be-revealed actor in action.
A Reunion of Generational Talent
Children of Blood and Bone marks a massive reunion for Thuso Mbedu, Viola Davis, and director Gina Prince-Bythewood, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed historical epic The Woman King.
Speaking to ESSENCE, Prince-Bythewood made it clear that there was never any doubt about who would lead this project:
“I knew as soon as I got this gig that Thuso was going to be Zélie. She is a generational talent, and was so phenomenal in The Woman King.”
Exclusive Footage Debut Coming This August
While fans will have to wait until early 2027 to see the full feature film, lucky festival-goers will get an early taste next month.
Thuso Mbedu and Gina Prince-Bythewood will officially open the 24th annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) on August 7, 2026. The powerhouse duo will debut exclusive, never-before-seen footage from the movie, followed by an in-depth creative discussion during the festival’s signature Color of Conversation panel.
