Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch Detail Tapping Into Dark Characters and Gaining Confidence at Newport Beach Film Festival
Ten performers named in Variety’s 2026 Actors to Watch took part in a panel at the Newport Beach Film Festival on 18 October, discussing performance, craft and how they approach roles. Their conversation highlighted the different challenges actors face as they develop characters, and offered a glimpse of performers attracting attention ahead of awards season.
Inde Navarrette said she had room to shape Nikki in “Obsession” because little was known about the real person, and valued the character’s complexity. Jaafar Jackson described preparing to portray his uncle, Michael Jackson, and building the confidence to handle unexpected changes on set. The other panellists were Ray Nicholson, Esmé Creed-Miles, Mariana Di Girólamo, Rosalind Eleazar, Guitarricadelafuente, Summer H. Howell, Ruth Madeley and Joseph Zada.
In short
- Ten actors discussed their craft at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
- Inde Navarrette spoke about shaping a complex character in “Obsession”.
- Jaafar Jackson described preparing to portray his uncle, Michael Jackson.
Explained simply
Variety’s Actors to Watch is an annual selection of performers the entertainment magazine considers worth following. Being included can raise an actor’s profile, especially as films and television programmes draw attention during awards season.
The Newport Beach Film Festival is a film event in California that includes screenings and discussions with people working in cinema. At this panel, ten selected actors spoke about developing characters and adapting to the demands of a role. Their experiences differed: Inde Navarrette discussed shaping a character with little known background, while Jaafar Jackson spoke about preparing to portray his uncle, Michael Jackson.
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