‘Beyond the Lights’ Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw Lands Role Opposite Matthew McConaughey

British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw is certainly maximizing her time in the spotlight and her latest project proves that she is headed in the right direction.

After her affecting turn in last year’s critically acclaimed Belle that recently garnered her British Independent Film Award for Best Actress, Mbatha-Raw continued her winning streak by starring in another stunner that showcased her in an even more vulnerable state. Beyond the Lights may not have crashed the box office but it highlighted the acting chops of its star and now all that hard work is paying off!

Mbatha-Raw has just signed on to star in a Civil War drama and her leading man is none other than Matthew McConaughey.

Free State of Jones will center on the relationship between a slave, Rachel played by Mbatha-Raw and Newton Knight, played by McConaughey.

According to the synopsis provided by TheWrap – the movie will be about the relationship between Rachel and Knight and how that “played a central part in his life and in his armed rebellion against the Confederacy during the Civil War”.

Mbatha-Raw seems to be on a roll with this latest announcement and a couple more in the pipeline, including The Whole Truth with Keanu Reeves and an untitled NFL drama with Will Smith.

If there is one thing the budding actress can’t complain about is her lack of hot leading men – Yowzers!