20 Best Young Black Actresses Under 30

The new generation of Black actresses under 30 has filled screens across genres and platforms, from prestige dramas to blockbuster franchises. Their résumés already include awards, franchise roles, Broadway credits, and lead turns in series that anchor entire streaming lineups. This list brings together performers whose work spans film, television, and voice acting, with concrete highlights from their careers so far.

You will find leads of acclaimed series, stars of major studio films, and multitalented artists who also produce, write, or record music. Each entry focuses on specific roles, training, awards, and projects that show where they have been and where they are heading next, without fluff or filler.

Zendaya

Zendaya has won multiple Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe for her performance in ‘Euphoria’. She plays MJ in the Marvel and Sony ‘Spider-Man’ films and appears as Chani in ‘Dune’, adding major franchise experience to her body of work.

Her screen credits also include ‘Challengers’ and the intimate black and white feature ‘Malcolm & Marie’, which she helped produce. She began as a Disney lead and has since moved into producing while continuing voice work and soundtrack recordings tied to her projects.

Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey led Disney’s live action ‘The Little Mermaid’ as Ariel and portrayed young Nettie in ‘The Color Purple’. She previously built a screen presence through guest roles and cameos while recording and touring as part of Chloe x Halle.

Her music career includes Grammy recognition, and she has continued releasing solo tracks while booking new film and television roles. She balances studio films with character work and maintains an active schedule across acting and music.

Storm Reid

Storm Reid earned an Emmy for Guest Actress in a Drama for ‘The Last of Us’ and appears in ‘Euphoria’. Her film work includes ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, ‘The Invisible Man’, and the screen life thriller ‘Missing’.

She continues to add franchise credits with appearances in horror and action titles and has begun taking on producing responsibilities on select projects. She also participates in campaigns and programs that support education access and opportunities for young people.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg plays dual roles in ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ and previously led ‘The Hate U Give’. Early in their career they appeared in ‘The Hunger Games’, which introduced them to global audiences.

Beyond screen acting they co created the comic series ‘Niobe: She Is Life’ and have taken part in film production and music collaborations. They regularly choose projects that mix studio releases with independent features and limited series.

Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi starred as Zoey Johnson across ‘Black-ish’ and ‘Grown-ish’, building a long running character across network and cable. She also headlined a studio romance in ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’.

She studied at Harvard University while continuing to work and now produces content under her company 7th Sun. Her credits include voice roles, fashion partnerships, and a slate of scripted projects in development.

Coco Jones

Coco Jones plays Hilary Banks in ‘Bel-Air’ and previously led the Disney Channel film ‘Let It Shine’. Her acting work spans series, films, and voice roles.

She is also a recording artist with a Grammy win for an R and B performance, and she tours while filming. The combination of a network reimagining and music success has led to new feature opportunities and brand partnerships.

Marsai Martin

Marsai Martin portrayed Diane Johnson on ‘Black-ish’ for eight seasons and starred in the studio comedy ‘Little’. She became the youngest executive producer of a major studio film with that release.

Through her company Genius Productions she develops and produces family friendly projects and young adult features. Her on camera work now includes films, television movies, and voice acting for animated titles.

China Anne McClain

China Anne McClain led the Disney series ‘A.N.T. Farm’, starred in the ‘Descendants’ franchise, and played Jennifer Pierce in ‘Black Lightning’. She also appeared on ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’ across multiple seasons.

Her credits include film roles, television movies, and extensive voice work, along with recordings with her sisters as the group McClain. She continues to work with Disney and other studios on musical and fantasy projects.

Tati Gabrielle

Tati Gabrielle played Prudence Night in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and Marienne Bellamy in ‘You’. She also appeared as Gaia in ‘The 100’ and brought the character Braddock to life in the action film ‘Uncharted’.

Her work ranges from genre television to studio features and animated voice roles. She has a background in theatre and commercials and continues to book parts that require stunt training and dialect work.

Dominique Thorne

Dominique Thorne portrays Riri Williams in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ and leads the Marvel series ‘Ironheart’. She debuted on screen in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and appeared in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’.

Her academic background includes acceptance to top engineering programs, which aligns closely with the tech genius she plays in the Marvel universe. She has participated in outreach tied to STEM initiatives while expanding her filmography with dramas and limited series.

Saniyya Sidney

Saniyya Sidney played Venus Williams in ‘King Richard’ and appeared in ‘Fences’ and ‘Hidden Figures’. On television she starred in ‘The Passage’ and portrayed Sasha Obama in ‘The First Lady’.

Her performance in ‘King Richard’ brought major award nominations and recognition from critics groups. She continues to work in both prestige features and network series while completing her education.

Demi Singleton

Demi Singleton portrayed Serena Williams in ‘King Richard’ and plays Margaret Johnson in ‘Godfather of Harlem’. She trained in ballet and began her career on Broadway in ‘The Lion King’ and ‘School of Rock’.

Her screen work includes features and limited series along with commercial and voiceover credits. She maintains music training and dance practice, which supports roles that require performance skills.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is known for Zuri Ross on Disney’s ‘Jessie’ and ‘Bunk’d’. She has voiced characters in animated projects including ‘DreamWorks Dragons’ and has guest starred across network comedies.

She authored the book ‘Reach for the Skai’ and continues to work in fashion and brand partnerships tied to her audience. Her filmography includes television movies and streaming features.

Quvenzhané Wallis

Quvenzhané Wallis became the youngest Best Actress nominee in Academy history for ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ and later starred in the musical remake ‘Annie’. On television she appears in the Apple TV Plus series ‘Swagger’.

She has recorded audiobooks, voiced characters in animation, and authored a series of children’s books. Her credits span independent films, studio musicals, and sports drama television.

Shahadi Wright Joseph

Shahadi Wright Joseph starred in Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ and voiced Young Nala in Disney’s ‘The Lion King’. She began on Broadway in ‘The Lion King’ and ‘School of Rock’.

She later appeared in the anthology series ‘Them’ and continues to work in horror, drama, and animation. Her training includes dance and vocal performance, which supports roles across stage and screen.

Lyric Ross

Lyric Ross played Deja Pearson on ‘This Is Us’ and is part of the Marvel series ‘Ironheart’. She has also appeared in ‘Chicago Fire’ and independent features.

Her work includes voice acting and short films along with network and streaming credits. She participates in community initiatives in Chicago while filming new projects.

Riele Downs

Riele Downs starred as Charlotte in ‘Henry Danger’ and led the supernatural teen film ‘Darby and the Dead’. She has additional credits in feature comedies and television guest roles.

Her background includes dance and art, and she collaborates on costume design concepts for some appearances. She continues to book lead roles in young adult features and streaming films.

Jayme Lawson

Jayme Lawson played mayoral candidate Bella Reál in ‘The Batman’ and appeared in ‘The Woman King’. She portrayed a young Michelle Obama in ‘The First Lady’.

A Juilliard graduate, she maintains stage work alongside film and television. Her projects include historical dramas, action features, and limited series for premium cable and streaming.

Lovie Simone

Lovie Simone is known for Zora Greenleaf on ‘Greenleaf’ and led the independent feature ‘Selah and the Spades’. She also appeared in ‘The Craft: Legacy’ and the crime drama ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’.

Her work spans network dramas, indie films, and studio genre projects. She continues to add festival titles while returning to series television.

Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri plays chef Sydney Adamu in ‘The Bear’ and has voiced characters in ‘Big Mouth’ and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’. She has appeared in the comedy feature ‘Bottoms’ and performs stand up.

Her awards include major wins for ‘The Bear’ and she voices Envy in ‘Inside Out 2’. She also writes for television and develops projects while continuing on camera and voice roles.

Share your picks and any names you think should be added in the comments.