Casting Guild of Australia: Rising Stars of 2021

The Casting Guild of Australia has announced its 7th annual list of CGA Rising Stars.

The 10 actors chosen for their potential to break out on the world stage are Albert Mwangi (Bump), BeBe Bettencourt (The Dry), Clarence Ryan (Stateless), Claude Jabbour (Eden), Elizabeth Cullen (upcoming Untitled Elvis Presley Project), Georgie Stone (Neighbours), Jacob Junior Nayinggul (High Ground), Marlo Kelly (Joe Exotic), Ngali Shaw (RFDS) and Yerin Ha (Halo).

Previous recipients include Eliza Scanlan (Babyteeth, Little Women), Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why), Zoe Terakes (Nine Perfect Strangers), Tilda Cobham-Harvey (Hotel Mumbai) and Alexander England (Little Monsters).

CGA President David Newman said: “In a time when an actor has had to adapt like never before, these emerging artists have managed to shine despite every obstacle put before them. The Casting Guild of Australia is particularly proud of the talent, tenacity, drive and passion of the 2021 CGA Rising Stars who have already proven that they have what it takes to cut through and succeed no matter what this industry throws at them.”

Top Row L to R:

Albert Mwangi is a Kenyan born and raised actor who grew up in the lush and beautiful hills of Ngong town along the Great Rift Valley within Kajiado County. After completing his studies at NIDA in 2020 he hasn’t look backed, having appeared in Robert Connolly’s upcoming film Blueback, the Stan Original series Bump and Amazon’s The Moth Effect. He has also just booked a series regular role in an upcoming US television series that begins filming in January in Atlanta.

Georgie Stone OAM is an actress, writer and transgender rights advocate. She made history in 2019, joining Neighbours in the regular role of Mackenzie Hargreaves – becoming the first ever transgender character on a long-running TV show in Australia.

BeBe Bettencourt made her feature film debut in gripping mystery-thriller The Dry, starring alongside Eric Bana and most recently appeared in Stan Original series Eden.

Clarence Ryan is best known for his roles in Cleverman and Dead Gorgeous. He most recently starred in ABC’s award-winning drama Stateless alongside Cate Blanchett, Yvonne Strahovski and Jai Courtney and the AACTA Award nominated film Moon Rock for Monday. He will next be seen in Blueback opposite Mia Wasikowska and Eric Bana.

Actor Jacob Junior Nayinggul made his feature film debut in box-office hit, High Ground, receiving wide- spread acclaim for his stunning performance as Gutjuk.

Bottom Row: L to R:

Since graduating NIDA in 2018, Yerin Ha was quickly cast in Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Lord of the Flies alongside Mia Wasikowska, followed by a starring role as ‘Kwan Ha’ in Steven Spielberg-produced television series, Halo, being released on Paramount+ in 2022.

Elizabeth Cullen received the BUFTA Best Overall Filmmaker award in 2015, securing a full scholarship to study Film and Television at Bond University on the Gold Coast. Known for her debut role as Imogen Blackwell in The Bureau of Magical Things, she will next appear in Baz Luhrmann’s Untitled Elvis Presley Project alongside Tom Hanks and Austin Butler.

Ngali Shaw is best known for his break-out role alongside Rob Collins in drama television series RFDS, which centres around the lives of workers for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia.

Marlo Kelly is an actress best known for her performances in Dare Me, Home and Away and Patricia Moore. She will next appear in Peacock’s Joe Exotic centered on Carole Baskin, the subject of the Netflix docuseries “Tiger King”.

Claude Jabbour is an actor, writer and comedian whose most recent credits include Stateless, SBS mini-series On the Ropes alongside Igal Naor, Jack Thompson, Nicole Chamoun and Priscilla Doueihy, Melbourne-made feature film M4M, starring Hugo Weaving and Faysal Bazzi directed by Paul Ireland and Stan Original series, Eden.

The CGA’s IGTV Channel will feature a new interview posted each day in the lead up to the CGA Awards ceremony presented on November 20 at facebook.com/groups/cgaawards2021

The Rising Stars program is proudly supported by Casting Networks & Showcast, with both providing 24-month premium memberships for each of the actors.