There are some amazing actors coming out with new movies and tv shows in 2025, but the most exciting films to watch will be the ones featuring a mixture of upcoming actors who are making their mark in film and television, as well as the actors that have already made their mark. Though few of these performers are newer to the industry, in the last year or so, 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 showcased their flexibility and interests in working across different fields and will be seen in innovative new works. We’ve listed our top 12 stars to look out for in 2025.
1. Rachel Zegler
Rachel Zegler is an American actress and singer who has recently appeared in several high-profile projects, including Disney’s “Snow White” live action remake releasing 2025, “West Side Story”, “The Hunger Games”, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”, and Broadway’s “Romeo & Juliet”. Zegler has also been featured on the covers of Elle, Town & Country, Who What Wear, and The Hollywood Reporter. She has won five awards and been nominated 20 times. We know she will be making more history in 2025 in the spotlight.
2. David Corenswet
After winning eye-catching supporting roles in “Twisters” and “Pearl” and setting hearts aflutter in Ryan Murphy’s sleekly silly Netflix series “Hollywood”, the 31-year-old Corenswet has landed arguably the highest-profile and highest-stakes Hollywood gig of 2025: the lead in Warner Bros’ forthcoming “Superman” reboot. As both Clark Kent and his Kryptonian alter ego, it falls to the Philadelphia-born actor (and his director James Gunn) to half-coax, half-drag the increasingly cliquey and factional genre back to the mainstream centre-ground.
3. Eiza González
Before her most recent contribution to the film industry, Eiza González starred in “Baby Driver” and anchored Netflix’s hit sci-fi series “3 Body Problem”. “3 Body Problem” did a lot to showcase González’s skills in a new genre and demonstrate that she can fit into any narrative. 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.
4. David Jonsson
David Jonsson starred in 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. 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 and television.
5. Megan Stalter
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.
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.
6. Leo Woodall
Leo Woodall demonstrated both abilities in his latest TV shows, “One Day” and “The White Lotus”. 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.
7. Lashana Lynch
UK star Lashana Lynch is one to watch, becoming a mainstay in the Marvel universe as Captain Marvel‘s Maria Rambeau and delivering a much-anticipated turn in Daniel Craig’s final James Bond film “No Time to Die” as an agent with skills just as deadly as his. Before that, she was the lead in the TV series “Bulletproof”, she played Rita Marley in “Bob Marley: One Love”, and also played in “Still Star-Crossed”, but it wasn’t until her Marvel turn, that she broke through with American audiences.
8. Drew Starkey
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.
9. Katy O’Brian
Katy showed her range as an actress in her role in “Twisters”, and it showed how well O’Brian can build chemistry with an ensemble cast and allowed the actor to try out a new genre. Though the future of the franchise and O’Brian’s place in it are still up in the air, we know Katy has some great projects coming 2025. 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”.
10. Sophie Wilde
Wilde became a bona fide scream queen after her role in the independent Australian possession horror “Talk To Me”, before appearing in the internationally-lauded Netflix adaptation of Trent Dalton’s semi-autobiographical novel, “Boy Swallows Universe”. She’s since gone on to become a Loewe campaign star and rustle feathers alongside film royalty Nicole Kidman in A24’s upcoming erotic thriller, “Babygirl”. You can also see Wilde alongside Tom Cruise, Sandra Hüller and Jesse Plemons in the film “Judy”, which is currently being filmed.
11. Christina Cooper
Before winning 2 awards & 4 nominations across the globe, Los Angeles born actress Christina Cooper was first known for her breakout role in BET’s “South Central Love” & Netflix’s “Dear White People”. She has now went on to work on tv shows such as Disney’s “Behind the Animation” and is currently filming for another top secret Disney project. She’s played the lead role in AMC & Allblk’s “The Influencer”, and will be playing Alicia in the new holiday film “Athena Saves Christmas”. Christina is also rumored to be playing one of the leads in the new movie titled “Sugar Baby”, coming 2025. You’ll also catch her playing the role of Lisette in the new movie “Omaha” which is premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Christina’s currently gearing up to film for new projects in 2025 and the authenticity she brings to all the characters and roles she plays are truly remarkable. We’ll be seeing more of Christina on networks such as Disney and we look forward to watching her break more barriers in the television and film industry as one of the new face actresses to look out for this year.
12. Yerin Ha
Phoebe Dynevor, Simone Ashley and Nicola Coughlan have all become household names after fronting their respective seasons of Netflix’s hit Regency-era drama “Bridgerton”. The same will be said for Australian-Korean actress, Yerin Ha.
The Sydney-born star will take a main role in the fourth season as Sophia “Sophie” Baek, Benedict Bridgerton’s love interest and the female co-lead. While we wait for her to become the diamond of the season, you can see her swap ball gowns for black coats as Reverend Mother in “HBO’s Dune: Prophecy”.
