However, the hot favorite for the honor at this year's Academy-Awards is the relatively unknown actress Lupita Nyong'o, who astonishingly received the nod after only appearing in her first ever film.

The Kenyan actress played an African American slave in Steve McQueen's extremely raw, yet powerful historical-drama '12 Years A Slave.' The film depicts the 'real-life' story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Northup), who was kidnapped and forced into slavery, where he went from being a freeman living in New York, to a plantation slave in New Orleans between 1841 and 1853.

Watch a clip of the '12 Years A Slave' cast including Lupita

The 30 year-old portrayed 'Patsy', a young female worker who picked 500 pounds of cotton every day, and is praised by her slave owner 'Epps' (Michael Fassbender), who also repeatedly rapes her. This angers Epp's wife and in jealous rages', she violently abuses 'Patsy'.

Lupita received critical acclaim for this role and she has already earned prizes from the Screen Actors Guild and Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Watch the trailer for '12 Years A Slave' 

Although the battle for this category is heavily viewed as Lawrence vs. Nyong'o, there are several other nominees which are worth noting. These are Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine), Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) and June Squibb (Nebraska).