Mahershala Ali Makes Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch for 2016 List

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from Variety

Variety is pleased to announce its annual list of 10 Actors to Watch, an honor the publication has bestowed since 1998.

Past honorees include many future Oscar winners and nominees, such as Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Brie Larson, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael Shannon, and Melissa Leo.

This year’s honorees will be feted in the Oct. 4 issue of Variety, in conjunction with coverage of the Hamptons International Film Festival, which runs Oct. 6 to Oct. 10. This marks the fifth year Variety has collaborated with the festival to present Actors to Watch.

“The Hamptons International Film Festival has had the privilege of honoring rising talent for over 15 years. We are thrilled to once again partner with Variety to recognize this group of 10 diverse, talented actors for the incredible work they have done in their careers,” says HIFF Artistic Director David Nugent. “As we have seen our previous honorees blossom over the years, with just this year Brie Larson and Alicia Vikander both taking home Academy Awards, we know this class has a bright future ahead of them.”

“As the fall film awards season approaches, there may be questions about which films will ultimately shine as prize winners, but there is no doubt that once again this year’s releases feature astounding new talents filled with creative courage and unlimited ‎potential for bright careers,” added Variety Vice President/Executive Editor Steven Gaydos. “I can’t think of a better place to celebrate their achievements than the prestigious Hamptons Film Festival.”

These are the year’s 10 Actors to Watch:

  • Riz Ahmed, recently on screens in “Jason Bourne” and HBO’s acclaimed drama “The Night Of,” soon to be seen in “Una” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
  • Mahershala Ali, a “House of Cards” alum soon to be seen in the films “Moonlight,” “Kicks,” and “Hidden Figures,” and on the Netflix series “Luke Cage.”
  • Rachel Brosnahan, another “Cards” player, will appear in Woody Allen’s new Amazon series and in the 2016 films “Patriots Day” and “Boomtown.” She will also appear in the Off Broadway production of “Othello” opposite Daniel Craig.
  • Ana de Armas, now on screens in “War Dogs,” is starring in “Hands of Stone,” opening this week, and will appear in next year’s “Blade Runner.”
  • Alden Ehrenreich, recently named the new Han Solo, appearing in Warren Beatty’s “Rules Don’t Apply” and “The Yellow Birds” this year.
  • Lucas Hedges, the breakout star of “Manchester by the Sea” and appearing next year in Martin McDonagh’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”
  • Aja Naomi King, a regular on ABC’s hit “How to Get Away With Murder,” soon to be seen in the Sundance sensation “The Birth of a Nation.”
  • Tavi Gevinson, founder of Rookie Magazine, recently seen on Broadway in “The Crucible” and returning to the stage, appearing opposite Diane Lane in “The Cherry Orchard” this fall. Films include “Enough Said” and the upcoming “Human People.”
  • Kara Hayward, previously seen in “Moonrise Kingdom,” appearing in “Manchester by the Sea” and Jim Jarmusch’s “Paterson” this year.
  • John Legend, an Oscar-winning songwriter, making his big-screen debut in “La La Land” opposite Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone this year.

For more information on the Hamptons International Film Festival, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.