A Shakespearean stage actor still probably most familiar to British audiences for his role on TV spy drama Spooks ten years ago, Oyelowo is another talented actor who has long been waiting for his chance at the spotlight with bit parts in The Butler and Interstellar. Oyelowo's star is rapidly on the rise now, however, thanks to his first Hollywood leading role: Martin Luther King in civil rights drama Selma. Already released in America at the start of the year, Selma has gained excellent reviews (a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes) and praise for Oyelowo in particular. The British star already picked up a Golden Globe nomination (albeit lost out on an Oscar nod with the Academy's all white nominees list). Oyelowo's breakthrough year doesn't end here, though. Next up is New York crime drama A Most Violent Year from acclaimed director J.C. Chandor, which has also already garnered positive early notices. Meanwhile, his role as Nina Simone's manager Clifton Henderson in biopic Nina, likely to be released towards the end of the year, could be another Oscar botherer. And if that all sounds a little serious, Oyelowo can always fall back on his recurring voice role in Star Wars: Rebels.
