A pair of DC actresses are among the genre folks getting a big push from Variety on a list of the up-and-coming stars!
Every year, Variety, one of the leading publications in Hollywood, compiles a list for their "Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report." This looks at entertainers between the ages of 18-22 who are making an impact, not just in their projects but also across social media and pop culture as a whole.
This year’s list includes many faces familiar to sci-fi and fantasy fans, proving how these stars are on the rise beyond the genre.
Milly Alcock
Starting off on the list is Milly Alcock, who made her big break starring as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Alcock then cameoed in Superman as Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl, a role she’ll take in her own solo film in 2026. That is giving her a massive push as she readies to get into comic book stardom.
Isabela Merced
Speaking of Superman, Isabela Merced, who played Hawkgirl in the film, was recognized not just for that superheroine but also her turns in The Last of Us and Alien: Resurrection.
"I’m really hopeful for people setting a standard of quality of work that involves kindness. As a Midwesterner, kindness is a huge value for me, and for that reason, Superman meant a lot to me. I’ve felt that love lately among stacked communities,” Merced told Variety.
Rhenzy Feliz
Another DC Comics project star recognized was Rhenzy Feliz, who played the doomed Victor on HBO’s The Penguin. He spoke on how he was at first nervous that he wouldn't be able to make audiences love his character, who takes part in the brutal crime saga.
“I was honestly afraid that people wouldn’t have enough empathy for Victor in The Penguin, and I asked Colin [Farrell] about it," he shared. "He said to lean into it, and to go further into the empathy. It gave me even more permission to put that fear aside and just dive further into Victor.”
Lizze Broadway, Asa Germann, and London Thor
Another trio of comic book stars also on the list are Lizze Broadway, Asa Germann, and London Thor, who all star in The Boys spinoff Gen V.
Broadway plays the size-changing Little Cricket, sharing, "I got to create a character who literally shrinks and grows depending on how she’s feeling — she’s basically the human embodiment of imposter syndrome meets body image issues. Emma represents the pressure so many young women feel to shrink themselves to fit in or puff themselves up to be seen.”
Thor, who plays the female persona of Jordan (Derek Li plays the male persona), admired how the show, “pushed me to do things that were out of my comfort zone.”
Germann, who plays superhuman Sam, added, “All of my favorite moments on Gen V have to do with the people. Not just the great cast and crew, but all the people I’ve met who watch the show and are excited about it; it makes everything feel so meaningful in a really special way."
Other notable names on the list include Sarah Bock, who plays Miss Huang in Severance, Wicked actress Marissa Bode, Sinners actor Miles Caton, How to Train Your Dragon stars Nico Parker and Mason Thames—the former of whom portrayed Joel's daughter Sarah in the first season of The Last of Us—and Yellowjackets star Sophie Thatcher.
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