After a record number of entries, Australians in Film today announced Andrea Solonge as the 12th recipient of the coveted Heath Ledger Scholarship at Soho House in West Hollywood. 

Established in 2009 in memory of award-winning actor Heath Ledger, the scholarship is globally regarded as the hottest barometer and platform for the best acting talent coming out of Australia. Known for his generosity and support of fellow actors, the scholarship carries on Heath’s legacy by offering a life-changing education and career development program.

To help Andrea build a career in Hollywood, she will receive a prize package valued at US$60,000 in addition to year-long mentorship by former recipient Bella Heathcote (Pieces of Her, Relic).

Commenting on this year's recipient, HLS judge and multi award-winning international film, television and theatre actor Sarah Snook (Succession, The Picture of Dorian Gray) said:

“I loved getting to watch fresh faces showcase their talents and passion for acting. It was a tough decision, as all the finalists were brilliant, but one stood out with a captivating depth and strength. I’m very excited for Andrea Solonge to be this year's 2024 Heath Ledger Scholarship recipient”.

Andrea is an Australian actress of Congolese and Nigerian heritage who received strong reviews for her work in the recurring role of Juno Adebayo in the Stan/Roku megachurch drama series Prosper. Growing up influenced and inspired by the funk, soul and jazz era of the ‘60s, Andrea plays the tenor and alto saxophone, making it a delight to also star in a recurring role in Taika Waititi's Apple TV+ series Time Bandits.

“This acknowledgement is truly special,” Andrea said. “Heath was one of the most transformative and prolific actors of his generation. To set foot on the path that he trail-blazed is an immeasurable honor. This means the world to me, my family and my community.”

The HLS recipient was chosen by an esteemed panel including award-winning actors Sarah Snook, Melanie Lynskey, Gabrielle Union and Charlie Hunnam, along with renowned actors Simone Kessell and Cleopatra Coleman, and award-winning casting director Terri Taylor.

Andrea joins past HLS recipients who have gone on to achieve incredible success in their careers.

2022 recipient Rahel Romahn can be seen in 2024’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and the Nicolas Cage feature The Surfer, while 2019 recipient Charmaine Bingwa appeared alongside Will Smith in Emancipation and starred in hit series The Good Fight. 2017 recipient Mojean Aria featured in Reminiscence with Hugh Jackman and The Enforcer alongside Antonio Banderas. 2016 recipient Ashleigh Cummings can be seen in the Amazon Prime series Citadel while 2014 recipient Cody Fern starred in American Horror Story: Apocalypse, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and House of Cards.

In attendance at the ceremony were all six HLS 2024 finalists: recipient Andrea, Charles Wu (Doctor Doctor, Harrow), Taj Aldeeb (Four Years Later, The Fall), Kartanya Maynard (Heartbreak High, Deadloch), Will McDonald (Home and Away, Heartbreak High) and Ezekiel Simat (The Artful Dodger, Beneath the Storm).

They were joined by actors such as Melanie Lynskey, Simone Kessell, Sean Keenan, Danielle Macdonald, Natasha Bassett and The Bear Co-Showrunner, Executive Producer and Director Joanna Calo.

Patrons of the Heath Ledger Scholarship are Kim Ledger, Gregor Jordan, Susie Dobson and Ann Fay.