Thuso Mbedu will star in the upcoming film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s young adult fantasy novel Children of Blood and Bone, Variety reports.

Adeyemi’s novel, published in 2018 by Henry Holt, tells the story of Zélie, a 17-year-old girl in the kingdom of Orïsha who is determined to bring back magic to the land after a king does his best to eradicate it. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus called the book—the first in a trilogy—“powerful, captivating, and raw” and “exceptional.”

Mbedu, known for her roles in the series adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad and the film The Woman King, will play Zélie in the film. Also starring in lead roles will be Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give), Damson Idris (Snowfall), and Tosin Cole (Doctor Who).

The rest of the cast will include Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Viola Davis (Fences), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Idris Elba (The Wire), and Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel). Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King) will direct from a script that she co-wrote with Adeyemi.

Mbedu reflected on her casting on a thread on the social platform X, writing, “‘Children of Blood and Bone’ was gifted to me in 2019 and, truly, it’s one of the best gifts I’ve received. Upon reading it I fell in love with it - to the point that I made it a prayer point…To know that I have the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing people as we tell this great story is truly humbling. I’m so excited. I’m so grateful.”

Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.