The Most Underrated Black Actresses of the 21st Century

There are so many Black actresses whose work has shaped the last two decades, yet their names do not always come up first in everyday conversations. This list spotlights performers whose film, TV, and stage credits show range, consistency, and craft, with roles that helped define genres and push stories forward.

You will find leads in prestige dramas, scene stealers in action hits, and creators who write or produce on top of acting. Each entry highlights key roles, awards, training, and career milestones, so you can track what to watch next and where each performer has made an impact.

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton earned major recognition with an Emmy for ‘Westworld’ and a BAFTA for ‘Crash’. Her filmography also includes ‘Mission Impossible II’, ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’, and ‘Solo A Star Wars Story’, with performances across science fiction, drama, and franchise films.

She has worked with directors such as Jonathan Demme, Ron Howard, and Lisa Joy, and she has produced and narrated documentaries focused on social issues. Newton also supports humanitarian causes and has delivered talks on representation in media.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris received Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe nominations for ‘Moonlight’, while also anchoring blockbuster franchises with ‘Skyfall’, ‘Spectre’, and ‘No Time to Die’. Her earlier breakthrough included ’28 Days Later’ and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series, highlighting range from indie drama to global hits.

Trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Harris acts in both stage and screen projects and has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama. Her work often includes culturally significant stories and collaborations with emerging filmmakers.

Gugu Mbatha Raw

Gugu Mbatha Raw headlined ‘Belle’ and ‘Beyond the Lights’, films praised for nuanced leads, and joined popular series like ‘Loki’ with a central role. She also starred in ‘The Morning Show’ and ‘Surface’, expanding into high profile streaming dramas.

On stage, she performed in Shakespeare productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and in film she has collaborated with directors such as Gina Prince Bythewood and Amma Asante. She serves as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, connecting her platform to advocacy.

Carmen Ejogo

Carmen Ejogo portrayed Coretta Scott King in both ‘Boycott’ and ‘Selma’, bringing historical roles to the screen with careful research. Her credits span ‘True Detective’, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’, and ‘It Comes at Night’, showing a strong presence in mystery, fantasy, and horror.

She records original music for select projects and contributes to soundtracks, reflecting a background in both acting and music. Ejogo has also appeared in British television and American studio features, moving fluidly between independent films and larger franchises.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris drew wide attention with ‘Chi Raq’ and expanded her fan base with ‘WandaVision’, where she introduced Monica Rambeau to the Marvel timeline. She led Nia DaCosta’s ‘Candyman’ continuation and appeared in ‘The Marvels’, connecting indie cred with superhero storytelling.

Parris is a Juilliard graduate whose early screen work included ‘Dear White People’ and ‘Mad Men’. She regularly collaborates with Black directors and producers, and she has participated in film festival panels that center on representation behind the camera.

Aunjanue Ellis Taylor

Aunjanue Ellis Taylor earned an Oscar nomination for ‘King Richard’ and has standout roles in ‘When They See Us’ and ‘Lovecraft Country’. Her career includes stage work on Broadway and key appearances in films such as ‘Ray’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’.

She is known for meticulous preparation, often engaging with source texts and real life subjects when portraying historical figures. Ellis Taylor also mentors young performers through arts organizations, connecting professional experience with community programs.

KiKi Layne

KiKi Layne made a powerful lead debut in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and moved into action with ‘The Old Guard’. She added period fantasy in ‘Coming 2 America’ and ventured into auteur driven drama with ‘Native Son’ and ‘Don’t Worry Darling’.

Layne is a DePaul University Theatre School alum who balances studio projects with independent cinema. She participates in fashion and beauty campaigns that spotlight Black creatives, and she has presented awards at major ceremonies, broadening her industry profile.

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett earned an Emmy nomination for ‘Lovecraft Country’ and brought superhero grit to ‘Birds of Prey’. Earlier credits include ‘Friday Night Lights’ and ‘Underground’, with leads that blend genre elements and historical narratives.

She began acting as a child and built a career that spans network TV, premium cable, and studio features. Smollett supports health and education nonprofits and frequently joins press conversations about inclusive casting and behind the scenes leadership.

Dominique Fishback

Dominique Fishback drew critical acclaim for ‘Swarm’ and earned award nominations for her lead performance. She has delivered central roles in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and ‘Transformers Rise of the Beasts’, mixing prestige drama with action franchise reach.

Fishback is also a playwright and spoken word artist who developed the one woman show ‘Subverted’. She often workshopped material in New York theater spaces and collaborates with directors who incorporate her writing and performance background.

Zazie Beetz

Zazie Beetz earned an Emmy nomination for ‘Atlanta’ and joined global hits with ‘Deadpool 2’ and ‘Joker’. She continues to balance voice roles such as ‘Invincible’ with independent features and anthology series.

Fluent in German and English, Beetz grew up between Berlin and New York, which informs her international casting potential. She supports sustainable fashion initiatives and frequently appears at European festivals with cross border productions.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson leads major franchises with ‘Thor Ragnarok’ and ‘Avengers Endgame’ and anchors ‘Creed’ as a central dramatic presence. Her work in ‘Westworld’ and ‘Dear White People’ shows a strong record in contemporary TV and film.

Thompson produces through Viva Maude, a company focused on underrepresented voices, and she serves as an executive producer on select projects. She collaborates with music artists on soundtrack pieces and participates in film academy programs that champion new filmmakers.

Sonequa Martin Green

Sonequa Martin Green became the first Black woman to lead a ‘Star Trek’ series with ‘Star Trek Discovery’. Earlier roles in ‘The Walking Dead’ built a genre following that carried into science fiction leadership.

She is active in franchise conventions and participates in education focused charity campaigns that align with the ‘Star Trek’ mission of exploration and inclusion. Brand partnerships and voice roles have expanded her portfolio across games and animation.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright won the BAFTA Rising Star Award and played Shuri in ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Black Panther Wakanda Forever’. She also led the anthology ‘Black Mirror’ episode ‘Black Museum’ and starred in the drama ‘Aisha’.

Wright runs 3.16 Productions to develop faith informed and socially conscious stories. She was born in Guyana and moved to London during childhood, later training in UK screen acting programs that led to early British TV roles.

Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch won the BAFTA Rising Star Award and appeared in ‘No Time to Die’ with a pivotal role in the ‘Bond’ universe. She also played a central warrior in ‘The Woman King’ and portrayed Miss Honey in ‘Matilda The Musical’.

Training at ArtsEd in London gave Lynch a foundation for stage and screen, and she has worked in British television before moving into global franchises. She often supports school arts visits and panels that discuss pathways into acting for young performers.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel created and starred in ‘I May Destroy You’, earning widespread awards including an Emmy for writing. She also appears in ‘Black Panther Wakanda Forever’ and previously led ‘Chewing Gum’, which began from her stage show.

Coel trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and writes poetry and prose that inform her screenwriting voice. She gives industry talks about creator rights and development processes, sharing practical frameworks with emerging writers.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba is a multiple Emmy winner for ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and earned awards recognition for ‘Mrs America’ and ‘Painkiller’. She adds stage credentials with Broadway work and TV leads across limited series formats.

Aduba studied classical voice and has performed the national anthem at major sporting events. She participates in mental health advocacy and has served as a spokesperson for organizations that promote access to care.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira plays Okoye in ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Avengers’ films and was a lead in ‘The Walking Dead’. She is also an acclaimed playwright, with ‘Eclipsed’ and ‘The Convert’ produced in major theaters and on Broadway.

Gurira co founded Love Our Girls to support women and girls globally and serves as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. She often develops work that connects African and diaspora stories through both stage and screen.

Nicole Beharie

Nicole Beharie won strong festival attention for ‘Miss Juneteenth’ and starred in ‘Monsters and Men’. She previously headlined ‘Sleepy Hollow’ on television and appeared in ‘Shame’ and ’42’, with roles linked to history and character studies.

Beharie trained at Juilliard and studied in the United Kingdom through exchange programs. She records music featured in select projects and has contributed essays about wellness and work life balance in the industry.

Sanaa Lathan

Sanaa Lathan became a household name with ‘Love and Basketball’ and continued with ‘The Best Man’ series and ‘Something New’. She added TV arcs in shows like ‘The Affair’ and entered directing with ‘On the Come Up’.

Lathan is a Yale School of Drama alum who works across stage and voice acting, including ‘The Cleveland Show’. She participates in mentoring programs for young women in film and has served on juries for major film festivals.

Regina Hall

Regina Hall’s career spans ‘Scary Movie’, ‘Girls Trip’, and ‘Support the Girls’, for which she won multiple critics awards. She has hosted major award ceremonies and continues to lead comedies and dramas across streaming and theatrical releases.

Hall holds a journalism degree from New York University and often produces projects where she stars. She supports scholarship funds and community health initiatives and has partnered with Black led production companies to develop fresh comedic voices.

Share the names you would add to this list in the comments and tell us which performances you think more people should discover.