Variety’s critics praised Lalisa Manobal—known globally as Lisa—for making one of the most notable career pivots of the year, successfully stepping from the world of international pop stardom into television acting. Lisa made her official acting debut in HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3, which is set in Thailand, her home country. While some fans expressed disappointment over her limited screen time, critics noted that appearing in one of the most talked-about TV series of recent years was a smart and low-risk first step into acting.

Crossing over from music to acting often comes with intense scrutiny, and Lisa is no exception. With her massive global influence and equally large fan and anti-fan communities, every creative decision she makes—whether in music, fashion, or performance—tends to spark strong reactions. Following her appearance in The White Lotus, Lisa is expected to take on a more substantial acting challenge in Netflix’s upcoming project Tygo, an independent production developed from the action franchise Extraction, which is already drawing attention as her next major step on screen.

Variety’s list of breakout performers also includes teenage actor Owen Cooper, whose powerful debut in Adolescence made a strong impact on both critics and audiences. In his first-ever acting role, Cooper portrayed a teenager accused of murdering a classmate, anchoring a harrowing narrative that explores the effects of social media on adolescent psychology, as well as the roles of family and education in shaping young lives. His emotionally raw and mature performance was so convincing that many found it hard to believe it was his debut. After winning an Emmy at just 15 years old, Cooper is widely expected to continue his awards momentum at major ceremonies such as the SAG Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTA TV Awards. He is also set to appear as young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, and has recently joined the star-studded cast of an upcoming film directed by Tom Ford.

In addition, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas has emerged as another strong breakout contender thanks to her performance in Sentimental Value. Despite sharing the screen with acclaimed actors like Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning, critics noted that Lilleaas delivered some of the film’s most emotionally resonant moments.