15 Young Actors Who Could be the Next Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington built a career on leading roles across drama, action, and biography, along with stage work that includes a Tony Award for ‘Fences’ and an Oscar record that features wins for ‘Glory’ and ‘Training Day’. He has directed films such as ‘Antwone Fisher’, ‘Fences’, and ‘A Journal for Jordan’, and he has starred in long running screen collaborations that include multiple entries in ‘The Equalizer’.

This list highlights younger male actors with proven leads in major films or series, substantial stage or formal training, and documented recognition from major awards groups or institutions. Each profile notes credits, training, and achievements that show a body of work spanning genres, franchises, or prestige projects.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan began with television work in ‘The Wire’ and ‘Friday Night Lights’ before leading ‘Fruitvale Station’ and ‘Creed’. He played Erik Killmonger in ‘Black Panther’ and returned to the ring as Adonis Creed across multiple films, and he made his feature directing debut with ‘Creed III’.

Jordan founded Outlier Society, which signed a first look deal with Amazon Studios and adopted an inclusion rider policy. His film credits also include ‘Just Mercy’ and ‘Without Remorse’, and he received a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble for ‘Black Panther’.

Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya starred in ‘Get Out’ and appeared in ‘Black Panther’ before winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. His television work includes ‘Skins’ and ‘Black Mirror’, and he has appeared in films such as ‘Nope’ and ‘Widows’.

Kaluuya has stage roots in London and early writing credits on ‘Skins’. He expanded into producing and co writing with the feature ‘The Kitchen’, and he has appeared in both studio franchises and independent dramas.

John Boyega

John Boyega led ‘Attack the Block’ and played Finn in ‘Star Wars’ entries from 2015 to 2019. He starred in ‘Detroit’ and in the anthology film series ‘Small Axe’, receiving a Golden Globe award for his performance in that project.

Boyega trained at Theatre Peckham in London and has produced projects through his UpperRoom Entertainment banner. His filmography includes parts in action, science fiction, and historical drama, along with voice roles and work with directors from Kathryn Bigelow to Steve McQueen.

Lakeith Stanfield

Lakeith Stanfield appeared in ‘Short Term 12’ and later in ‘Atlanta’, ‘Sorry to Bother You’, ‘Uncut Gems’, and ‘The Harder They Fall’. He was nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and led the Apple TV Plus series ‘The Changeling’.

Stanfield has combined independent features with studio releases and limited series. His credits cover crime drama, satire, western, and horror thrillers, and he has served as a producer on select projects.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul Mateen II appeared in ‘Aquaman’ and earned an Emmy Award for ‘Watchmen’. His film credits include ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’, ‘Candyman’, and ‘Ambulance’, along with roles in ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ and ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’.

Abdul Mateen II studied architecture at the University of California Berkeley and completed an MFA at the Yale School of Drama. His work spans superhero franchises, historical ensemble films, and prestige limited series.

Kelvin Harrison, Jr.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. earned critical notice with ‘It Comes at Night’, then led ‘Luce’ and ‘Waves’. He portrayed B B King in ‘Elvis’ and the violinist composer Joseph Bologne in ‘Chevalier’, and he appeared in ‘Cyrano’.

Harrison Jr. grew up in New Orleans with formal music training and has used that background in film roles that require vocal or instrumental performance. His resume includes festival premieres, period drama, and literary adaptations.

Stephan James

Stephan James portrayed Jesse Owens in ‘Race’ and starred in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. He also led seasons of the Amazon series ‘Homecoming’ and appeared in ’21 Bridges’ and ‘Selma’.

James began his career in Canadian television and film and works frequently in United States productions. He has co founded The Black Academy with his brother Shamier Anderson to celebrate Black talent in Canada.

Corey Hawkins

Corey Hawkins played Dr Dre in ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and appeared in ‘Kong Skull Island’, ‘BlacKkKlansman’, and ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’. He also starred in ‘In the Heights’ and played Harpo in the film musical ‘The Color Purple’.

Hawkins graduated from Juilliard and earned Tony Award nominations for ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ and for the Broadway revival of ‘Topdog Underdog’. His screen work includes action series with ’24 Legacy’ and Shakespeare on film.

Winston Duke

Winston Duke made his film debut as MBaku in ‘Black Panther’ and returned in later Marvel titles. He headlined ‘Us’ and appeared in ‘Nine Days’ and ‘Spencer Confidential’.

Duke earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama and began with recurring roles on television before moving into features. His credits include franchise films, horror, and character driven independent projects.

Trevante Rhodes

Trevante Rhodes played adult Chiron in ‘Moonlight’ and appeared in ‘The Predator’ and ‘Bird Box’. He led the limited series ‘Mike’ as Mike Tyson and has credits that include ’12 Strong’ and ‘The United States vs Billie Holiday’.

Rhodes competed as a sprinter at the University of Texas at Austin before acting. His projects span studio action films, streaming thrillers, and biographical drama on television.

Damson Idris

Damson Idris starred in ‘Snowfall’ from 2017 to 2023 and appeared in ‘Outside the Wire’. He has credits in ‘The Commuter’ and in the series ‘Swarm’, along with voice and motion capture work in interactive projects.

Idris was born in London and trained at Brunel University London before performing with the Royal National Theatre. He joined the cast of the feature film about Formula One racing from director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Jharrel Jerome

Jharrel Jerome won an Emmy Award for ‘When They See Us’ and appeared in ‘Moonlight’ as teen Kevin. He led the Prime Video series ‘I am a Virgo’ and has released music alongside his screen work.

Jerome was born in the Bronx and studied at Fiorello H LaGuardia High School. His credits include limited series, features, and original streaming programs.

John David Washington

John David Washington starred in ‘BlacKkKlansman’, ‘Tenet’, and ‘The Creator’. He led the HBO series ‘Ballers’ and appeared in ‘Malcolm and Marie’ and ‘Amsterdam’.

Washington played professional football in the United States before pursuing acting full time and later performed on Broadway in ‘The Piano Lesson’. He received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in ‘BlacKkKlansman’.

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa portrayed Eric Effiong in ‘Sex Education’ and began his tenure as the Doctor in ‘Doctor Who’ in 2023. He appeared in ‘Barbie’ and has stage credits in productions with the Dundee Repertory Theatre and other companies.

Gatwa trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and received nominations and wins from BAFTA Scotland for television work. His screen roles include comedy, science fiction, and ensemble features.

Ashton Sanders

Ashton Sanders played teen Chiron in ‘Moonlight’ and co starred in ‘The Equalizer 2’. His film credits include ‘Native Son’, ‘All Day and a Night’, and ‘Captive State’.

Sanders portrayed RZA in the series ‘Wu Tang An American Saga’ across multiple seasons. His work spans independent drama, action thrillers, and music industry biographical storytelling.

Share the names you would add to this list in the comments.