Is’thunzi actress Thuso Mbedu attended the 2017 International Emmy Awards in New York last night.

She was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress for her role as heroine Winnie in the Mzansi Magic show, but lost out to English actress Anna Friel.

Mbedu was the belle of the ball in a strapless aqua Gert-Johan Coetzee gown, with a dramatic skirt.

In a lengthy note on Instagram after her big night, Mbedu wrote:

Thank you to EVERYONE for the love and support and well wishes. You don't know how much it has meant. It's been a great and exciting journey. I'm excited for what tomorrow holds. I have great respect for all the wonderful women I was nominated with. Their work is so beautiful... One day I will be honoured to call them my colleagues.

Guys,  the world is our oyster. There is nothing we cannot do. For me, this is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in my life. The pages are blank but I'm holding the pen and God is my author. Be encouraged.

To my SA peers: we have no excuses! ZERO. Let's create. Let's work. Let's keep doing better.

Congrats to Anna Friel for taking the Best Performance by an Actress