Gilbert Flores/Billboard
Honestly, where is the Academy Award for this incredible talent?
RAYE, the powerhouse singer-songwriter gracing the cover of Billboard this May, is set to make her official acting debut in Lineage, a gripping new crime thriller directed by Yann Demange (known for Top Boy and ’71). As first reported by Variety, the British star will appear alongside an acclaimed cast, including Isabelle Huppert, Dali Benssalah, and Adam Bessa.
While RAYE previously made a brief appearance as herself in the 2025 Netflix miniseries Black Rabbit, Lineage marks her first true foray into acting. The film, which takes place in contemporary London, features a screenplay by Edna Walsh based on a story by Demange. The plot centers on Tariq, a man struggling to reclaim his life following a prison sentence. Production is scheduled to commence this August in London.
This pivot to cinema arrives fresh off the momentum of her sophomore studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, which dropped in March. The record reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200, propelled by her highest-charting single to date, “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!,” which also peaked at No. 11. In her Billboard cover story, the independent artist shares her journey of reclaiming creative autonomy, free from the constraints of traditional label pressures.
On Wednesday, May 13, RAYE wraps up the North American leg of her current tour before heading across the pond for two sold-out nights at London’s The O2 Arena. Looking ahead, she is a top contender for best vocal performance at the American Music Awards on May 25, nominated for her standout hit “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
