Photos: Behind the scene photos of Gugu filming The Free State of Jones

As civil war divides the nation, a poor farmer from Mississippi leads a group of rebels against the Confederate army. Gugu plays Rachel Knight.

Set during the Civil War, THE FREE STATE OF JONES tells the story of defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight, and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy. Opposed to both slavery and secession, Knight launched an uprising of poor white farmers that led Jones County, Mississippi to itself secede from the Confederacy, creating a "Free State of Jones." His relationship and post-war marriage to a former slave, Rachel Knight, effectively established the region's first mixed-race community. Knight, continued his fight into the post war period, resisting Klan activity through Reconstruction. His legendary rebellion distinguished Newt Knight as a compelling, if controversial, figure of defiance long beyond the War.

2014: Photos: Gugu at Vanity Fair Campaign Hollywood Young Hollywood Party

Vanity Fair Campaign Hollywood Young Hollywood Party

2011: Photos: Gugu at the BAFTA Brits To Watch Event

Brits To Watch

Welcome to Brits to Watch, an initiative first set up by BAFTA in 2011 with the aim of showcasing the best of British emerging talent, on-screen and off-screen, with many of the world's most talented and influential people in film, television and video games. In achieving this aim we have worked in close partnership with our US branches, BAFTA in Los Angeles and BAFTA in New York. In 2013 we also began working with The British Council to launch Brits to Watch: The Screenings.

Creativity and success are surely the spark of strong collaboration

 Academy President, HRH The Duke of Cambridge

Nurturing talent is an essential part of BAFTA’s role in the creative industry and through Brits to Watch we hope to support talented individuals, strengthening their already promising careers by building a lasting and durable partnership with the top industry professionals in the US.

One of the Brits to Watch honoured during the event, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, was dressed in a Reem Acra dress and Daniel Swarovski clutch.