2025 CGA Rising Stars revealed – The Casting Guild of Australia has crowned Australia’s top emerging talent of 2025, revealing its 11th annual list of CGA Rising Stars.
The CGA has this year named 10 extraordinary Australian actors with the potential to break out on the world stage. The 2025 CGA Rising Stars are Clare Hughes, Ioane Sa’ula, Joseph Zada, Lily LaTorre, Roxie Mohebbi, Stacy Clausen, Tanzyn Crawford, Tharanya Tharan, Xavier Molyneux and Zoe Phillips.
The annual awards have a strong track-record of picking Australian talent who are truly on the cusp of greatness with previous recipients including Milly Alcock (House of Dragon), Eliza Scanlan (Little Women), Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why), Yerin Ha (Bridgerton), Ayesha Madden (Heartbreak High), Zoe Terakes (Talk To Me), Olivia De-Jonge (Elvis), James Majoos (Heartbreak High) and Alexander England (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), just to name a few.
CGA President Thea McLeod said:
“The CGA is so excited to announce our Rising Stars. They’re such incredible actors, and once again our guild members put forward so many brilliant performers. The list was long, and we are really so lucky in Australia to have such an extraordinary pool of talent.
It’s always fantastic seeing our Rising Stars doing great work here at home and then beginning to step into the international space. Australia has such a proud history of producing world-class performers, and watching this next generation grow their careers here before heading onto the global stage is honestly so exciting.
We’re so proud of our Rising Stars of 2025, and we can’t wait to see all the wonderful things ahead as they continue to shine in Australia and beyond.”
CLARE HUGHES graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2022. Straight out of drama school Clare was cast in the leading role of “Lisa” in the ABC television series adaptation LADIES IN BLACK, which also stars Debi Mazar and Miranda Otto. Following this, Clare completed filming on the second season of successful ABC series TEN POUND POMS(SEASON 2) playing the role of “Birdie”.
Clare made her professional theatre debut in the Old Fitz production of SITTING, SCREAMING, directed by Lucy Clements. She is currently performing in MARY PAGE MARLOWEat the Old Vic in London, opposite Susan Sarandon and Andrea Riseborough.
Clare is an accomplished piano player and was a member of the Australian Girls Choir. She completed a Diploma of Acting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAPPA) before attending NIDA.
IOANE SA’ULA is a young, emerging Samoan Australian actor who was born and raised in Griffith NSW.
Ioane is currently in production on the new Stan medical drama THE F WARD in the lead role of Jimmy, starring alongside Anna Friel and Dan Wyllie and will next be seen in the third and final season of the popular Netflix series HEARTBREAK HIGH, the highly anticipated second season of AppleTV+ series MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS with Anna Sawai and Kurt Russell, and the special Stan holiday feature BUMP: A CHRISTMAS FILM.
Ioane made his Australian television debut playing Vince in Stan’s hugely popular series BUMP for 5 seasons. He has since appeared in numerous other television series including the ABC series PLUM, Paramount+ series LAST KING OF THE CROSS, ABC series PREPPERS and Channel Nine’s DOCTOR DOCTOR.
Ioane’s film credits include Rebel Wilson’s debut feature film THE DEB, David Leitch’s THE FALL GUY alongside Ryan Gosling, and Nash Edgerton’s award winning short film SHARK with Rose Byrne. Ioane made his theatre debut in the ATYP production of SAPLINGS for Sydney Festival.
JOSEPH ZADA is set to lead the next installment of THE HUNGER GAMES franchise reprising Woody Harrelson’s iconic role of “Haymitch Abernathy”. SUNRISE OF THE REAPING, based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, tells Haymitch’s origin story and is set to be released by Lionsgate on November 20th, 2026.
He will star alongside Glenn Close, Ralph Feinnes, Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemmons and Elle Fanning. He will also soon be seen in the role of “Cal Trask” in Netflix’s limited series EAST OF EDEN, opposite Florence Pugh, Mike Faist and Christopher Abbott. Adapted by Zoe Kazan from John Steinbeck’s novel, the series is directed by Garth Davis and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre and will release in 2026.
Most recently, he can be seen starring as “Johnny Sinclair” in Julie Plec’s Amazon Prime Video series WE WERE LIARS, based on the best-selling novel by E. Lockhart. The series quickly rose to #1 on Prime Video’s Top 10 TV list. Zada can also be seen leading the STAN Original series INVISIBLE BOYS, based on best-selling novel by Holden Sheppard, currently streaming in Australia.
With a depth and perception way beyond her years, it’s no surprise that LILY LATORRE is in constant demand. She beautifully performs the lead role of Annie Shearer in Australian feature film, RUNT, based on the much-loved book of the same name.
Most recently, Lily co-leads the US independent feature REBUILDING alongside Josh O’Connor, which premiered at Sundance in 2025. Lily’s work in REBUILDING has so far garnered her masses of positive attention and glowing reviews, including “The standout performance is that of young Lily LaTorre (we may or may not have overheard a studio executive stating that LaTorre’s performance was the breakout performance of the festival, which I agree with)…”. She can be seen on Netflix in the lead role of Mia, opposite Sarah Snook, in the feature film RUN RABBIT RUN for director Daina Reid. The film screened at Sundance, SxSW and Sydney Film Festival before its release, and has attracted outstanding reviews for Lily’s work. Lily also plays a key role in THE CLEARING for Disney+, from Director Jeffrey Walker. Here she, yet again, very much holds her own on screen, alongside cast such as Miranda Otto and Guy Pearce.
Recognisable from countless high-profile commercials campaigns in Australia and the US, Lily has also worked on a number of short films including the beautiful YOU AND ME BEFORE AND AFTER (dir. Madeleine Gottlieb) and JAKE’S 7TH BIRTHDAY (dir. Ariel Martin).
Lily loves working alongside her brother Jack and spending time with her family and dog in coastal country Australia, dancing, playing piano and singing.
ROXIE MOHEBBI, an actor of Middle Eastern heritage, is a rare and exciting talent. Roxie initially trained and then worked as an emergency neonatalnurse before rediscovering her passion for performance and since then has achieved great success in her acting career.
Roxie’s screen highlights include; CRITICAL INCIDENT (STAN); RETURN TO PARADISE (BBC / ABC), LADIES IN BLACK (ABC), THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES; THE NEW LEGENDS OF THE MONEY Season II (Netflix), New Zealand’s leading Soap SHORTLAND STREET(South Pacific Pictures), drama series ONE LANE BRIDGE S3 (Sundance Now), MILES OF NOWHERE (Gibson Group) for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2024 NZ Television Awards. Roxie recently completed filming Binge’s upcoming limited series RUN alongside George Mason and Keiynan Lonsdale, and will next be seen in the Stan series HE HAD IT COMING.
Her feature films include; Best Comedy winner at the TVNZ Awards, GIVE ME BABIES(Eyes and Ears Productions). New Zealand Film Commissions (NZFC) THE MOON IS UPSIDE DOWN written & directed by Loren Taylor (Eagle vs Shark) and Rotterdam 2024 opening night film HEAD SOUTH where we will see Roxie play the role of Holly alongside internationally acclaimed New Zealand actor Marton Csokas (LOTR, Spiderman, Star Wars) & popstar Benee. The film is set in Christchurch New Zealand 1979 post-punk music scene.
STACY CLAUSEN has just wrapped playing a supporting role in a new Netflix Feature Film alongside some A-List Hollywood Stars, to be announced soon.
Prior he booked the lead role in a new Causeway Films Feature Film, also still to be officially announced. Other notable credits include playing one of the leading roles in a Sony Pictures Entertainment Feature Film also to be announced. Stacy also played one of the leads in the horror comedy CRAZY FUN PARK, (2023) winning best Children’s series at the 2023 Logie awards. He also portrayed the role of ‘Tom’ in family adventure hit TRUE SPIRIT, reaching the number 2 film on Netflix’s global charts, as well as portraying the role ‘Allen’ in one of Stan’s most successful original series, SCRUBLANDS. Stacy also appeared in the supporting role of ‘Finn’ in Binge’s original mystery thriller HIGH COUNTRY.
Of late, Stacy was listed in the top 10 of the ‘AACTA young stars’ competition hosted by the AACTA’s and judged by the likes of renowned casting directors Nikki Barrett (Elvis, Mad Max: Fury Road, Talk to Me, The Power of the Dog, The Babadook), Thea McLeod (Neighbours, Better Man, Measure For Measure, Pawno) and Anousha Zarkesh (The New Boy, Mystery Road, Total Control, Preppers).
TANZYN CRAWFORD was born in Perth, Western Australia and raised between Australia and the US.
Mostly home schooled in her later years of education, Tanzyn went on to graduate from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (One Year Full Time Diploma of Screen Performance).
Tanzyn’s break-out role came in 2023 from the Hulu/ Hello Sunshine production TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS where Tanzyn was cast as ‘Rae Kincade’, playing Katherine Hahn’s daughter. Tanzyn’s performance was praised by critics with Screen Rant stating: “Tanzyn Crawford, is excellent, anchoring the series”, and Movieweb stating: “She breathes likability into a character who is battling her own vulnerabilities in intimate friendships and potential relationships and understanding her place in her family’s fractured fairytale.” The series was nominated for several awards.
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In 2024, Tanzyn led the Australian TV series SWIFT STREET, where she starred opposite Cli` Curtis. Per The Guardian, Tanzyn’s “roaring lead performance” was “as Elsie, a tenacious 21-year-old attempting to pay o` debts accrued by her nogoodnik father Robert (Cli` Curtis).”
The crime drama streamed on SBS On Demand and was distributed by Fifth Season in Canneseries 2024 by Magpie Pictures.
In June 2024, it was announced that Tanzyn was cast in HBO’s A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS as Tanselle. The drama series is based on the novella The Hedge Knight from George R. R. Martin, the visionary whose A Song of Ice and Fire inspired Game of Thrones. A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS is set a century before the events of that series. George R R Martin announced on his blog that the series will be released on January 18 2026. Tanzyn has just wrapped working on SHERI’S COUNTRY – a series executive produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.
Tanzyn has an array of hobbies which stem from sewing, (at times making some of her own clothes) to dancing (which she trained in for many years). Tanzyn is also very active, with her fitness hobbies stretching from rock climbing to gymnastics. Tanzyn also has a deep love for animals.
THARANYA THARAN will next be seen in the Amazon MGM Studios feature adaptation of popular anime VOLTRON, alongside Henry Cavill, Rita Ora, Sterling K. Brown and Alba Baptista.
Her other credits include the Stan series YEAR OF, the spin off of the award-winning Stan series BUMP, Apple TV+ thriller drama series SHANTARAM alongside Charlie Hunnam, the Paramount+ series MORE THAN THIS, ABC Australia comedy series WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS and popular ABC Australia / Universal Kids series MUSTANGS FC.
XAVIER MOLYNEUX is an Australian actor who began his screen career playing Young Michael in the Netflix coming-of-age drama TAKE MY HAND. He went on to star as Byron Stone for two years in the iconic TV series NEIGHBOURS, earning acclaim for his grounded and emotive performances.
His breakout came when he landed the titular role in BLOODAXE, a major historical epic from Amazon MGM Studios. Currently filming in Ireland, Xavier leads the first season of this next chapter in Michael and Horatio Hirst’s acclaimed Viking saga. Passionate about meaningful storytelling, Xavier is dedicated to creating art that both entertains and moves audiences.
Xavier is represented by Anthony Kidd at Benchmark Creative Management in Australia, and has added The Rose Group for management and WME as agents in the U.S.
ZOE PHILLIPS will soon be seen in the recurring role of Abra Bacon in the Netflix series East of Eden alongside Florence Pugh and Martha Plimpton. She also plays the titular role of Charlotte inthe film My Sister Charlotte.
Regularly working on her skills, Zoe has trained at NIDA, Screen Actors Australia and Film and Television Studio International, studying various methods and apparatus including Meisner Training and dialect work.
From November 11, audiences can meet this year’s Rising Stars as part of a 10 day series on CGA’s Instagram, with a new interview with Australia’s casting directors posted each day in the lead up to the official in-person presentation at the CGA Awards ceremony on Friday November 21 in Melbourne at the Arts Centre.
On the CGA’s Instagram, Ioane Sa’ula will be interviewed by Will Pearce (Mix Tape, The Twelve), who cast him in BUMP as part of the McGregor casting team, Roxie Mohebbi will talk to Amanda Mitchell (Heartbreak High, Watching You) who cast her in HE HAD IT COMING, Clare Hughes will be interviewed by Anousha Zarkesh (The Correspondent, Thou Shalt Not Steal) who cast her in LADIES IN BLACK, Stacy Clausen will reunite with Natalie Wall (The Invisible Man, Carmen) who cast him in FIRES, Xavier Molyneux will talk to Thea McLeod (Neighbours) who cast him in NEIGHBOURS, Tanzyn Crawford will be interviewed by Annie Murtagh-Monks (Runt), Zoe Phillips will talk to Chantelle Iemma (Black Swan Theatre), Tharanya Tharan will be interviewed by Natalie Jane Harvie (Telstra – This Is Footy Country), Joseph Zada will talk to Lou Mitchell (Scrublands, White Fever) and Lily LaTorre will be interviewed by Stephanie Pringle (Birdeater) and Alison Fowler (Birdeater).
The Rising Stars program is proudly supported by Casting Networks & Showcast, with both providing 24-month premium memberships for each of the actors.
For further information about CGA visit: www.castingguild.com.au
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2025 CGA Rising Stars revealed
