Ones to watch 2017: Who we're mega excited about this year
Want to know who's going to be your new go-to act on Spotify? The hottest new TV stars? And awards' season's next darling? Look no further, as we've hand-picked the new talent set to go stratospheric this year.
In music, prepare to be obsessed with Raye and Gallant's powerful voices, and be sure to book tickets to see UK country act Ward Thomas - so you can say you saw them first.
We're calling actor Tom Hughes as your next crush, while Victoria's Secret girl Jourdana Elizabeth is set to be the next big thing on the catwalks.
Here's the names and faces to know for 2017...
Irisaw/InstagramIris Law
The lowdown: The super-cool teenage daughter of Sadie Frost and Jude Law.
What's the buzz? Following in her mum's modelling footsteps, 15-year-old Iris has already scored a string of huge modelling gigs, including appearing in Teen Vogue and on the cover of LOVE magazine.
In 2017... She's reported to have been offered a six-figure sum for a modelling contract with Chanel. Watch this space.
ropesofholland/InstagramLindsey Holland (aka Ropes of Holland)
The lowdown: If you follow Lindsey Holland on Instagram, then we bet you're also obsessed with her blog - Ropes of Holland.
What's the buzz? She's not just a talented blogger - by day Northerner Lindsey is a physiotherapist working in Elderly Care.
In 2017... She’ll be working with more brands, and no doubt taking us on her journey via Insta stories.
palefoxsahara/InstagramSahara Lin
The lowdown: A British model who's signed with TESS and Elite Model Management. She scooped high-profile campaigns for Proenza Schouler and Milk Makeup.
What's the buzz? Like many of our favourite faces, she was discovered on Instagram (@palefoxsahara).
In 2017... We’ll be seeing her in plenty more editorial campaigns and strutting her stuff at fashion month in February and September.
Getty ImagesKelly Rohrbach
The lowdown: The American-born model and actress hit headlines when she was chosen to star in the highly anticipated Baywatch movie - out 2017.
What's the buzz? Rohrbach first gained acclaim in modelling in 2015 when she appeared in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition, where she was named Rookie of the Year.
In 2017... It’s going to be all about Baywatch, which also stars Zac Efron and The Rock.
Rex FeaturesTom Hughes
The lowdown:[link url="Ones to watch 2017: Who we're mega excited about this year"]The hot young British actor is our latest crush.
What's the buzz? You probably recognise him as the dashing young Prince Albert in ITV's Victoria, with Jenna Coleman.
In 2017... He swaps the small screen for a film role in comedy-drama Madame, alongside Toni Collette and Josephine de la Baume.
Rex FeaturesJourdana Elizabeth
The lowdown: Jourdana hails from Texas and has made her peroxide crop her signature.
What's the buzz? She walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the first time in 2016.
In 2017... She closed the YSL show in 2016 and you can expect to see her on many more runways this year.
Getty ImagesRosa Salazar
The lowdown: Actress who has starred in Parenthood, and The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials.
What's the buzz? In early 2016 she was cast as the lead in James Cameron’s Battle Angel Alita - due for release in 2018.
In 2017... Well, she wrote, directed and starred in a short film called Good Crazy and it will show at Sundance.
Getty ImagesRuth Negga
The lowdown: Ethiopian-Irish actress and awards season's breakthrough star.
What's the buzz? She's had a Critic's Choice and a Golden Globe nomination for her powerful performance in Loving, the true story of a bi-racial couple, who's marriage was deemed illegal.
In 2017... She'll be on the red carpet promoting Loving (out in UK cinemas February 3), starring in season two of Amazon Video's Preacher, and no doubt going through the piles of Hollywood movie scripts coming her way. Remember her name.
Getty ImagesStefanie Martini
The lowdown: You might recognise Stefani Martini from Doctor Thorne, Endeavour or Emerald City.
What's the buzz? She was cast alongside Max Irons in the feature film of Agatha Christie’s Crooked House.
In 2017... Stefanie will star in ITV’s Prime Suspect - 1973, the much-anticipated prequel to Prime Suspect. One to watch out for if you're crime drama obsessed.
Getty ImagesDua Lipa
The lowdown: Singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has been on our radar for some time and her highly-anticipated, self-titled album will be released February 2017.
What's the buzz? Fader magazine commissioned a short film about her, which you can watch here.
In 2017... We’ll be treated to Dua Lipa’s album, and hopefully some more epic covers.
Getty ImagesPhoebe Waller Bridge
The lowdown: Seriously funny English actress and writer.
What's the buzz? The TV adaptation of her hit Edinburgh show Fleabag , was nothing short of genius, detailing the ups, downs, and dubious sexual experiences of a twenty-something hot mess.
In 2017... She'll be starring in an as-yet-untitled film about the life of Winnie The Pooh author, AA Milne - alongside Margot Robbie and Dohmnall Gleeson.
Getty ImagesTom Bateman
The lowdown: British actor who starred in Da Vinci’s Demons and ITV’s Jekyll & Hyde.
What's the buzz? Murder on the Orient Express will see Tom star alongside movie heavy-weights Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, and Penelope Cruz.
In 2017... As well as the Murder on the Orient Express, he is set to play the male lead in Snatched - Amy Schumer’s mother-daughter comedy with Goldie Hawn.
Getty ImagesAnthony Boyle
The lowdown: Anthony Boyle who plays Scorpius in Harry Potter stage show Harry Potter and The Cursed Child: Parts I and II has been quite literally casting a spell over audiences!
What's the buzz? Theatre critic Henry Hitchings described Anthony as giving “the most layered and absorbing” of all the performances.
In 2017... There will be more time on the stage in Harry Potter and The Cursed Child: Parts I and II. Catch it while you still can.
Getty ImagesAnya Taylor Joy
The lowdown: Actress Anya Taylor Joy starred alongside James McAvoy in Split and Kate Mara in Morgan.
What's the buzz? A rising fashion star, Anya has been dressed by Gucci and more on the red carpet. She used to be a model and famously nearly missed her big break because she thought the model scout driving slowly beside her was a stalker.
In 2017... She will star in Marrowbone alongside Mia Goth.
Getty ImagesCharity Wakefield
The lowdown: Since her breakthrough role in Sense and Sensibility, she’s starred in some of our most loved productions across television, film and theatre.
What's the buzz? She starred in the show everyone was talking about over Christmas - Close to the Enemy, the Doctor Who Christmas special.
In 2017... She’ll be starring in a huge new TV show coming to the ITV called The Halcyon.
Getty ImagesHaley Bennett
The lowdown: American actress and singer.
What's the buzz? The J-Law look-a-like got her big break with a stand out performance in the film adaptation of The Girl On The Train. She follows that up in Warren Beaty's much anticipated romantic drama, Rules Don't Apply.
In 2017... She has two more films on the cards - Weightless with Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman, and Thank You For Your Service withAmy Schumer and Miles Teller.
Getty ImagesMeghan Markle
The lowdown: American actress and current girlfriend of Prince Harry.
What's the buzz? Media attention about her royal relationship has thrust her into the spotlight, but in the acting world she's best known for her role in the seriously addictive legal drama Suits.
In 2017... See her in season six of Suits, and hopefully alongside Harry during one of his many public appearances. We kinda want her to be BFFs with Kate Middleton.
Getty ImagesAnnabelle Wallis
The lowdown: Actress who has starred in Peaky Blinders, The Tudors, and X-Men: First Class.
What's the buzz? As well as a sparkling career, her love life is on top form as well - she is dating Chris Martin from Coldplay.
In 2017... She will star in The Mummy alongside Tom Cruise.
Getty ImagesAnne-Marie
The lowdown: Singer who got signed to Elton John’s management company Rocket Music. After catching the attention of the global star from a rough recording, and later secured a deal with Atlantic Records. You might know her vocals if you've seen Rudimental live, as she's their lead female touring vocalist.
What’s the buzz? Shortlisted for The BRITs’ Critic’s Choice Award.
In 2017... Currently working on her debut album with the likes of Steve Mac and Rudimental’s Amir Amor, selling-out headline shows across the world and storming the Spotify charts alike.
PA PhotosBilly Howle
The lowdown: Best known for his role in E4 crime drama Glue.
What's the buzz? Billy is currently filming an adaptation of Ian McEwan’s On Chesil Beach, starring as Edward Mayhew. The movie is being directed by Dominic Cooke and Saoirse Ronan, who also stars.
In 2017... See him in The Seagull alongside Saoirse Ronan and Annette Benning. He's also recently completed filming The Sense Of An Ending, which has been adapted from the 2011 man booker prize-winning novel by Julian Barnes, out in March.
Getty ImagesRiz Ahmed
The lowdown: British actor and rapper, Riz Ahmed, who has starred in Four Lions in 2010, Jason Bourne in 2016 and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2016.
What’s the buzz? You can’t get a bigger buzz than starring in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
In 2017... He'll still be riding the wave of 2016's big success.
Getty ImagesRaye
The lowdown: The singer has been making huge waves throughout the past year, and her song ‘You Don’t Know Me’ has been a huge success.
What's the buzz? She supported Jess Glynne on tour, and she co-wrote a song with Charli XCX.
In 2017... We’ll be seeing even more of her in the charts, and due to her impressive style, she has her own fashion label.
Getty ImagesChristopher Gallant
The lowdown: Singer Gallant is from Maryland and when he sang his song, Weight in Gold on Jimmy Fallon’s show, he received a standing ovation.
What’s the buzz? Gallant performed at the Forbes Under 30 Summit Music Festival in 2016. He was also a guest during Elton John’s Apple Music Festival show.
In 2017... He is set to release Cave Me In in collaboration with Epik High's Tablo and Eric Nam.
Getty ImagesJustine Skye
The lowdown: Signed to Roc Nation and nicknamed ‘The Purple Unicorn’, the violet-maned R&B singer hails from Brooklyn, NY.
What’s the buzz? Justine Skye is not your average 20 year old. She notched up two million YouTube views from a single Drake cover and inked a major record deal off the back of it.
In 2017... More music, and after being the face of Kylie Jenner’s Lip Kits, we’re guaranteed to see even more of her gorgeous face.
Getty ImagesRaffey Cassidy
The lowdown: Actress who starred alongside George Clooney in Tomorrowland and also alongside Kristen Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman back in 2012.
What's the buzz? You'll recognise her from 2016's Allied which starred Marion Cotillard and Brad Pitt.
In 2017... She is set to appear in The Killing of a Sacred Deer with Nicole Kidman and Alicia Silverstone.
Rex FeaturesWard Thomas
The lowdown: Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas from Hampshire are a modern country duo and also happen to be twins.
What's the buzz? They'll be heralded as "Britain's first country stars", bringing an English perspective to the US-dominated genre. It's a well-deserved accolade seeing as their album 'Cartwheels' reached number one in the UK Albums Chart, making them the first UK country act to do so.
In 2017... Catch them on tour in April and May.
Getty ImagesLady Leshurr
The lowdown: Hailed by pop culture magazine Complex as the “new British Queen of Rap”, she dropped her infectious single ‘Where Are You Now?’ featuring the Godfather of Grime, Wiley, in 2016. She's currently working on her hotly anticipated debut album.
What’s the buzz? She won the MOBO Award for Best Female Act.
In 2017... She’s off on tour in Australia and New Zealand.
Getty ImagesGirli
The lowdown: Singer-cum-rapper and native Londoner, Girli.
What's the buzz? She's not afraid to speak her mind. When she was just 15, she gave a speech to the House of Commons on workers' rights and feminism as a Young MP for Camden. She is is becoming known for her unpredictable live shows where she has taken to protesting everything from Brexit to the tampon tax.
In 2017... More exciting collaborations and even more of her much loved online pseudo-pirate radio show, "GIRLI FM 2”.
Rex FeaturesKelsey Lu
The lowdown: Kelsey Lu is a classically trained, NYC-based instrumentalist and singer.
What's the buzz? She's political as well as musical and is outspoken about feminism and black rights.
In 2017... More music! She recently collaborated with the likes of Blood Orange, Kelela, Wet & Solange, and she joined Dev Hynes onstage to play cello at his Blood Orange & Friends benefit show at The Apollo.
Rex FeaturesLiisi Lafontaine
The lowdown: The 22-year-old is the next big thing on the West End and hails from LA.
What's the buzz? She's filling Beyonce's shoes as Deena Jones in Dream Girls.
In 2017... Continuing to set the stage alight.
Getty ImagesChristine and the Queens
The lowdown: French singer and producer Héloïse Letissier goes by the stage-name Christine and the Queens.
What's the buzz? Christine and the Queens has brought a breath of fresh air to the music industry with her subversive approach to music and performance. After singing on Jools Holland she became an overnight sensation in the UK, with new-found fans packing out small stages to see her at summer festivals and her album Chaleur Humaine was one of the top 40 selling records of the year.
In 2017... Finger crossed she'll be working on more great music.
Getty ImagesAnders Hayward
The lowdown: An actor who is set to have his big break in 2017.
What’s the buzz? Prior to making it to the silver screen he worked as a model and dancer. He also starred in and co-choreographed Burberry's Christmas advertising campaign. What a talented guy!
In 2017... A role in E4 highly anticipated show Foreign Bodies will not only will this be Anders' first professional foray in the industry, but he's playing lead role - hugely exciting for this 22 year old. The show is a new eight part comedic drama created by Tom Basden (Fresh Meat & Plebs), co-produced with American channel TNT.
Getty ImagesSasha lane
The lowdown: The American actress hails from Texas.
What's the buzz? She gave a stand-out performance in indie flick American Honey, despite it being her first ever movie role.
In 2017... Following her breakout role, she's landed a slew of movie roles for 2017. She stars opposite Chloe Grace Moretz in The Miseducation of Cameron Post. Get ready to see a lot more of this lady.
Getty ImagesAdwoa Aboah
The lowdown: She's a major catwalk and campaign model who's best mates with Cara Delevingne and co.
What’s the buzz? She's starred in campaigns for the likes of Kenzo, H&M and Calvin Klein and has made a name for herself with her outspoken social media presence. Not afraid to shatter the picture perfect model image, 2016 saw her speak out about her battles with depression and addiction which led her to consider suicide. She's the founder of the Gurls Talk campaign to help girls to find support through female friendship.
In 2017... We predict her modelling star will begin to rise, as well as her social media following - she already has a cool 160K Instagram followers.
