20 Best Young Black Actors Under 30
There is a new generation of Black male actors bringing memorable characters to film and television. This list highlights twenty performers under 30 who have already built strong resumes across lead roles, acclaimed limited series, breakout ensembles, and major studio projects.
You will find stars of prestige dramas, network hits, streaming favorites, and festival films. Each entry includes key roles and career milestones so you can quickly spot where to watch their work and what they have been up to lately.
Jharrel Jerome
Jharrel Jerome won a Primetime Emmy for portraying Korey Wise in the limited series ‘When They See Us’. He first appeared on many radars with ‘Moonlight’ and later headlined the surreal series ‘I’m a Virgo’.
His film work includes ‘Selah and the Spades’ and ‘Monsters and Men’. He is from the Bronx and is known for switching between leading roles and ensemble pieces across film and streaming shows.
Ashton Sanders
Ashton Sanders drew wide attention with ‘Moonlight’ and went on to star as RZA in ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’. He also appeared in ‘Native Son’ and in the action sequel ‘The Equalizer 2’.
His credits include ‘All Day and a Night’ and the Whitney Houston biopic ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ as Bobby Brown. He continues to work in both television and theatrical features.
Toheeb Jimoh
Toheeb Jimoh plays Sam Obisanya in ‘Ted Lasso’, a role that earned major award nominations. He also stars as Tunde Ojo in the sci fi drama ‘The Power’.
Earlier screen work includes the BBC film ‘Anthony’. He balances comedy and drama while maintaining a growing list of international credits.
Caleb McLaughlin
Caleb McLaughlin is Lucas Sinclair in ‘Stranger Things’, a role he began after performing as Young Simba on Broadway in ‘The Lion King’. His film credits include ‘Concrete Cowboy’ alongside Idris Elba.
He appears in the sports drama ‘Shooting Stars’. McLaughlin also lends his voice to animated projects and participates in charitable campaigns focused on youth.
Michael Rainey Jr.
Michael Rainey Jr. leads ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ as Tariq St Patrick after originating the character in ‘Power’. His early film work includes ‘LUV’ and ‘Barbershop: The Next Cut’.
He has appeared in music videos and continues to headline seasons of the ‘Power’ universe. Rainey’s social media presence is active around the show and fan events.
Alex Hibbert
Alex Hibbert made his screen debut in ‘Moonlight’ and stars as Kevin Williams in ‘The Chi’. He has been part of the series since the first season and appears throughout its ongoing run.
His work includes short films and guest appearances that showcase dramatic range. Hibbert began acting in school programs before transitioning to professional sets.
Asante Blackk
Asante Blackk earned award nominations for his performance in ‘When They See Us’ as Kevin Richardson. He later joined ‘This Is Us’ as Malik Hodges across multiple seasons.
His film projects include ‘Story Ave’ and ‘Landscape with Invisible Hand’. Blackk also appears in stage and podcast storytelling formats.
Jahi Di’Allo Winston
Jahi Di’Allo Winston’s feature credits include ‘Charm City Kings’ and ‘We Have a Ghost’. On television he appeared in the coming of age series ‘Everything Sucks!’ on Netflix.
He has supporting roles in ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘The Dead Don’t Die’. Winston continues to book leads in indie dramas and streamer originals.
Myles Truitt
Myles Truitt played Eli Solinski in the sci fi film ‘Kin’. On television he appears in ‘Black Mafia Family’ and in ‘Stranger Things’ as a standout basketball player.
Earlier credits include ‘The New Edition Story’ as a young Ronnie DeVoe and episodes of ‘Atlanta’. Truitt also works in youth outreach tied to film education.
Mason Gooding
Mason Gooding co stars in ‘Love, Victor’ and appears as Chad Meeks Martin in the ‘Scream’ franchise. His film breakout came with the comedy ‘Booksmart’.
He has recurring roles in ‘How I Met Your Father’. Gooding also participates in festival panels discussing genre movies and inclusive casting.
Marcus Scribner
Marcus Scribner grew up on screen as Andre Johnson Jr in ‘Black-ish’ and leads later seasons of ‘Grown-ish’. He voices Bow in the animated series ‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’.
His resume features additional voice roles and family films. Scribner is active with environmental and literacy initiatives connected to his shows.
Jacob Latimore
Jacob Latimore stars as Emmett Washington in ‘The Chi’. His film work spans ‘Sleight’, ‘Detroit’, ‘The Maze Runner’, and the rebooted ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’.
He leads the modern remake of ‘House Party’. Latimore also records music and appears on soundtracks tied to his projects.
Trevor Jackson
Trevor Jackson plays Aaron Jackson in ‘Grown-ish’. On the big screen he led the crime drama ‘Superfly’ and appeared in the anthology series ‘American Crime’.
He started as a singer and continues to release music alongside acting. Jackson tours, records, and balances film and television schedules.
Michael Evans Behling
Michael Evans Behling portrays quarterback Jordan Baker in ‘All American’. He previously appeared in ‘Empire’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.
Outside of acting he engages in modeling and fitness partnerships. Behling also supports scholarships and community sports programs.
Demetrius Flenory Jr.
Demetrius Flenory Jr. headlines ‘BMF’ as Terry Southwest T Flenory. He has a recurring role in ‘Euphoria’ and appears in the film ‘Taurus’.
He works closely with directors and producers who focus on music culture stories. Flenory Jr. brings real life connections from Detroit to his role preparation.
Brett Gray
Brett Gray is Jamal Turner in ‘On My Block’. He also voices Dal R’El in the animated series ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’.
Gray releases music and tours between seasons. His additional credits include guest roles across comedies and streaming dramas.
Chosen Jacobs
Chosen Jacobs is known for ‘It’ and ‘It Chapter Two’ as young Mike Hanlon. He stars in the modern musical ‘Sneakerella’ on Disney Plus.
He appears in ‘Castle Rock’ and other genre projects. Jacobs also records music and posts behind the scenes performance clips.
Jalyn Hall
Jalyn Hall portrayed Emmett Till in ‘Till’, earning strong notices for historical accuracy and sensitivity. He plays Dillon James in ‘All American’.
He leads ‘The Crossover’ as Josh Bell. Hall books roles that span sports stories, true events, and family dramas.
JD McCrary
JD McCrary voiced young Simba in ‘The Lion King’. He co starred in the comedy ‘Little’ and appeared in the music industry series ‘American Soul’.
He performs as a singer with releases on major platforms. McCrary also makes regular television appearances for live performances and specials.
Abraham Attah
Abraham Attah debuted with ‘Beasts of No Nation’ and later appeared in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’. He stars in ‘Tazmanian Devil’ as a Nigerian student navigating life in the United States.
He works between Ghana and the United States while continuing formal education. Attah participates in nonprofit efforts that support students and young filmmakers.
Share your picks for other under 30 Black male actors making waves in film and television in the comments.