New Faces of Cinema: How One Role Made Young Actors Famous

Recognition after one success.

In the film industry, there are cases where a single role radically changes the course of a career. Young actors who spent years in minor supporting parts sometimes find the project that opens the door to international premieres and new professional opportunities.

Which celebrities suddenly rose to fame — read on in this DeTalks article.

Millie Bobby Brown: From the Mysterious Eleven to Teen Star

Millie Bobby Brown's breakthrough came in 2016, when the first season of the series "Stranger Things" hit screens. Her role as Eleven — a girl with telepathic abilities, a complicated backstory, and minimal dialogue — demanded delicate emotional work.

Despite her young age, Millie managed to convey the character's vulnerability and inner strength without excess words. Audiences noticed her sincerity and precision as a performer. They also praised her ability to hold dramatic tension even in scenes without lines. Her character quickly became one of the show's key figures and gained popularity in fan communities — from cosplay to a wide presence on social media.

Before Stranger Things, Brown had already taken part in several projects. She'd appeared in the series "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland", "NCIS: Manhunt", and "Grey's Anatomy", though these roles remained minor. The actress went through long stretches of auditions and repeatedly faced rejection. But it was exactly her experience on the show that helped her later work confidently in complex emotional scenes.

Brown has described feeling deeply honored and fortunate to have been part of the show for so many years, and grateful that her childhood was documented on screen, calling it a unique opportunity, the actress shared.

After the first season's success, the actress's career took off. Netflix signed new contracts with Millie, and Time magazine included her twice on its list of the world's most influential teenagers. The actress took part in advertising campaigns and became an ambassador for several fashion brands.

The actress later landed roles in the films "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" and "Enola Holmes", which she also worked on as a producer.

Today, Bobby Brown continues to work with Netflix, expanding her producing work and launching her own commercial ventures, including the beauty brand Florence by Mills.

Jacob Elordi: The Guy From The Kissing Booth

Jacob Elordi rose to fame in 2018, when the Netflix romantic film "The Kissing Booth" premiered. The actor played Noah Flynn — the guy the protagonist falls for. That project brought the actor instant recognition among teen audiences.

Before The Kissing Booth, Jacob had experience working on small TV projects and short films. He went through auditions and searched for his own 'breakthrough' project, but the roles didn't bring him wide recognition.

Elordi has described a period when he wasn't booking work, recalling that his bank account had dwindled down to just a few hundred dollars at the time, the actor shared.

After the film's success, he got new Netflix contracts and appeared in the sequels — "The Kissing Booth 2" and "The Kissing Booth 3". The actor later showed off more dramatic sides of his talent, playing Nate in the series "Euphoria".

This role helped him show himself in more complex, emotional scenes with a more serious, mature storyline. Today, the actor continues to work both in teen projects and in more dramatic roles.

Emma Mackey: Maeve From Sex Education

Emma Mackey's recognition took shape in 2019, thanks to the Netflix series "Sex Education". There, she played Maeve Wiley — a smart, sharp, independent girl unafraid to speak her mind.

The character quickly became a voice for the young generation and drew the attention of both audiences and critics. Mackey managed to convey both sarcasm and emotional depth at once, which made her Maeve one of the show's most memorable characters.

Before this project, Emma had limited experience in film and television. She'd appeared in British short films, but they hadn't brought her wide recognition. The search for 'her' role lasted several years, and the casting for Sex Education became the breakthrough moment of her career.

Mackey has recalled having no idea what to expect and not even being sure she'd go through with it, since she'd never filmed a TV series before and it felt like a big deal, but that fortunately, it turned out wonderfully, well-edited and well-cast, setting a very high bar, she recalled.

Emma Mackey's on-screen persona is defined by sharp wit, sarcasm, and inner strength. She's able to create complex, multidimensional characters.

After the show came out, Mackey received numerous casting invitations for major projects and later appeared in the film "Barbie". Today, the actress continues to work on wide-ranging projects both in the UK and internationally. The star is actively expanding her career, blending dramatic and comedic roles.

Jenna Ortega: The Role of Wednesday That Brought Recognition

Jenna Ortega's popularity rose sharply in 2022, after the Netflix series "Wednesday" premiered. Although she already had significant experience in film and television before this role, it was the character of Wednesday Addams that made her more recognizable and prominent among young actresses in film.

The dance scene, choreographed by Ortega herself, went viral on TikTok and turned the actress into an image popular among young audiences.

Before the show, the actress worked across various genres, but mostly played supporting roles. She'd appeared in projects like "You", "Virgin Jane", as well as horror films including "Scream 6" and "The Babysitter: Killer Queen".

After the show's premiere, Ortega received offers from major studios, began actively appearing at international festivals, and became the face of several ad campaigns.

The actress also took part in producing Wednesday's second season.

Ortega has admitted that, to be honest, after the show and trying to process everything, she went through a period of being unhappy, saying that the pressure and attention that followed were extremely intense and frightening for someone as introverted as she is, Jenna confessed.

Today, the young actress continues to actively build her career in major film, working on several new thrillers and sequels to well-known franchises.

Sydney Sweeney: An Emotional Breakthrough in Euphoria

Sydney Sweeney became one of the brightest actresses of the new generation after playing Cassie Howard in the series "Euphoria". Her performance quickly drew the attention of audiences thanks to its blend of emotional vulnerability and dramatic delivery.

The character's most difficult scenes — from moments of total breakdown to quiet despair — became some of the most talked-about on social media and shaped a wave of memes and viral clips on TikTok. The actress herself noted that she isn't afraid of emotional exposure and shows a rare ability to immerse herself in a character on a psychological level.

After the first season, the actress became a new face of Hollywood, began partnering with leading fashion houses, and regularly appeared on the red carpet at film festivals around the world.

Alongside her growing acting career, Sweeney founded her own production company, Fifty-Fifty Films. According to Sweeney, she wants to develop strong stories about women and create projects where she can be not just a performer, but a creator too.

Timothée Chalamet: A Star Launch After Call Me by Your Name

Timothée Chalamet's rise to global fame happened almost instantly — one role turned him from a promising young actor into an international star. Playing Elio Perlman in the drama "Call Me by Your Name" by director Luca Guadagnino, Chalamet combined emotional openness, refinement, and naturalness.

For his role as Elio, he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, making him one of the youngest nominees in the category's history. Media outlets praised Chalamet's ability to convey complex emotion and called him the leading talent of a new generation.

Before his breakthrough, the young actor already had theater training, having studied at the prestigious LaGuardia High School in New York, and had appeared in several television projects and independent films. But it was Call Me by Your Name that truly "opened the door" to the biggest directors in contemporary film.

After the film, the young actor began actively landing lead roles in major studio projects. He was offered key roles in the films "Dune", "Little Women", "The King", and later in the fantasy musical "Wonka".

Chalamet has described the only thing he can do as work hard and try to make a living doing what he loves, he said in an interview.

A single role can 'open the door' for a young actor into the world of the major industry. For Millie Bobby Brown, Jacob Elordi, Timothée Chalamet, and other performers, it was exactly the right project that paved the way for their rapid career growth.