For those who’ve been reading this site over the years, David Oyelowo is anything but a “breakthrough” in 2013. The actor has been around for a little bit, and The Butler isn’t his first Stateside role. You should be very well familiar with him and his work by now – certainly enough that he’d be beyond “breakthrough” status, especially when compared to the other actors on this panel.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Red Tails, Middle Of Nowhere, The Paperboy ring the bell? And his roles in those movies were quite plump. A little too late a recognition, but better late than never, I suppose. And I’m sure he very much appreciates the acknowledgement by a mainstream industry outlet like The Hollywood Reporter, famous for its annual talent roundtables, watched by probably millions. 

Following sessions with the year’s awards contenders in acting, directing, writing, producing and photography, THR presents its first Breakthrough Performers Panel, which also includes, in addition to Oyelowo, Barkhad Abdi (he plays Muse in Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips); Adele Exarchopoulos (Blue Is the Warmest Color); Greta Gerwig (Frances Ha); Kathryn Hahn (Afternoon Delight); and Olivia Wilde (Drinking Buddies).

Watch it in full below: