Underrated Black Actors You May Not Know

These actors have built impressive resumes across film, TV, and stage, often carrying pivotal stories and anchoring ensembles with craft that deserves more attention, so here is a spotlight on their work to help you discover what to watch next.

Glynn Turman

Glynn Turman has worked across decades in film, television, and theater. He played key roles in ‘Cooley High’, ‘The Wire’, and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. Turman won a Primetime Emmy for a guest role on ‘In Treatment’. He began his career on Broadway in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’, adding a strong stage foundation to his screen work.

Bokeem Woodbine

Bokeem Woodbine is known for sharp character turns that leave a mark. He earned widespread recognition for ‘Fargo’ and appeared in ‘Spider Man Homecoming’. Woodbine’s TV work includes ‘Unsolved The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B I G’. His filmography spans action, drama, and crime stories, showing deep range.

Rob Morgan

Rob Morgan has become a go to performer for grounded drama. He drew acclaim for ‘Mudbound’ and appeared in ‘Just Mercy’ and ‘The United States vs Billie Holiday’. Audiences also know him from ‘Stranger Things’. Morgan’s roles often center on dignity and quiet resilience, and he consistently delivers standout support.

Clarke Peters

Clarke Peters is a veteran of stage and screen with a rich theater background. He is widely recognized for ‘The Wire’ and ‘Treme’. Peters also appears in ‘Da 5 Bloods’ and ‘John Wick’. His musical theater roots include writing and performing in shows in London and New York, adding versatility to his screen presence.

Wendell Pierce

Wendell Pierce balances television, film, and theater with steady excellence. He starred in ‘The Wire’ and ‘Treme’ and led the drama ‘Death of a Salesman’ on stage in London and New York. Pierce has also appeared in ‘Jack Ryan’. His body of work spans public service stories, family dramas, and political thrillers.

Lance Reddick

Lance Reddick brought commanding gravity to authority figures and complex leaders. He is central to ‘The Wire’ and ‘Fringe’ and appears in the ‘John Wick’ series. Reddick trained at Juilliard, which shaped his precise approach to character. His voice work includes prominent roles in major video game franchises.

Aldis Hodge

Aldis Hodge moves fluidly between TV ensembles and historical films. He starred in ‘Leverage’ and ‘City on a Hill’ and portrayed key figures in ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and ‘One Night in Miami’. Hodge also plays Hawkman in the DC film universe. He began acting as a child and built a career through consistent lead and support roles.

Stephan James

Stephan James has a track record of true story portrayals and literary adaptations. He led ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and portrayed Jesse Owens in ‘Race’. On television he headlined ‘Homecoming’. James often chooses roles that explore identity, justice, and personal resolve across different eras.

Ashton Sanders

Ashton Sanders gained attention with intimate, challenging roles. He appeared in ‘Moonlight’ and later led projects like ‘Native Son’. Sanders also joined action fare in ‘The Equalizer 2’. His film choices lean toward character studies that explore youth, vulnerability, and transformation.

Trevante Rhodes

Trevante Rhodes broke through with a powerful lead in ‘Moonlight’. He followed with roles in ‘The Predator’ and the suspense hit ‘Bird Box’. Rhodes also portrayed a major sports figure in a biographical TV series. His career combines prestige drama with mainstream genre work.

Brian Tyree Henry

Brian Tyree Henry bridges stage and screen with ease. He earned a Tony nomination for ‘Lobby Hero’ and became widely known for ‘Atlanta’. On film he delivered acclaimed work in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and ‘Causeway’. His credits also include action and animation, reflecting broad range.

Harold Perrineau

Harold Perrineau has anchored ensemble casts across genres. He is known for ‘Lost’ and ‘Oz’ and later headlined the horror series ‘From’. Perrineau’s film credits include ‘Romeo Plu Juliet’ and ‘The Matrix Reloaded’. He frequently portrays characters navigating moral pressure and survival.

Eamonn Walker

Eamonn Walker has built a steady career in both the UK and the US. He made an impact on ‘Oz’ and later became a fixture on ‘Chicago Fire’. Walker has an extensive stage background, including Shakespeare productions. His roles often explore leadership and personal duty within high stress professions.

André Holland

André Holland focuses on character rich drama across mediums. He appears in ‘Moonlight’ and led ‘High Flying Bird’. On television he starred in ‘The Knick’ and ‘Castle Rock’. Holland’s work includes theater productions on Broadway, highlighting a strong classical training base.

Corey Hawkins

Corey Hawkins blends blockbuster roles with theater credentials. He portrayed Dr Dre in ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and later appeared in ‘Kong Skull Island’. On stage he earned recognition for ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ on Broadway. Television roles include ’24 Legacy’ and historical drama projects.

Yahya Abdul Mateen II

Yahya Abdul Mateen II quickly built a slate of high profile roles. He appeared in ‘Aquaman’ and ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’. His television work includes ‘Watchmen’. He also trained in architecture before studying acting, bringing a design minded discipline to his craft.

David Harewood

David Harewood has led major TV dramas in the UK and the US. He became widely known for ‘Homeland’ and later starred in ‘Supergirl’. Harewood trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He frequently hosts documentaries on mental health and media, expanding his work beyond acting.

Nonso Anozie

Nonso Anozie brings commanding presence to fantasy and drama. He appears in ‘Game of Thrones’ and stars in ‘Sweet Tooth’. Film credits include ‘Cinderella’ and ‘RocknRolla’. Anozie’s stage work features Shakespeare roles, supporting his versatility across eras and genres.

Adrian Lester

Adrian Lester combines screen charisma with award winning theater work. He is known for ‘Hustle’ and appeared in ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and ‘Mary Queen of Scots’. Lester won major UK theater honors for ‘Company’ and ‘Othello’. He also directs and produces, adding breadth to his career.

Paterson Joseph

Paterson Joseph is a familiar face in British television and theater. He starred in ‘Peep Show’ and ‘Timeless’ and led ‘Vigil’ in a key role. Joseph has a robust Shakespeare repertoire on stage. He also authored a historical novel, reflecting a deep interest in Black British history.

O-T Fagbenle

O-T Fagbenle works across TV, film, and theater with international range. He appears in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and joined the Marvel universe in ‘Black Widow’. Fagbenle has written and directed for television, including a comedy series. His early training included drama schools in London.

Gbenga Akinnagbe

Gbenga Akinnagbe is known for intense, layered characters. He played a pivotal role in ‘The Wire’ and later appeared in ‘The Deuce’. Akinnagbe’s film credits include ‘All the Devil’s Men’. He has also written essays for major outlets and founded a lifestyle brand that supports social causes.

J Alphonse Nicholson

J Alphonse Nicholson made a strong impact with a breakout TV role. He stars in ‘P Valley’ and has theater credits that include national tours and regional productions. Nicholson is a trained percussionist, which informs his performance rhythm. He continues to add film roles to a growing resume.

Shameik Moore

Shameik Moore moves between live action and voice work with ease. He voiced Miles Morales in ‘Spider Man Into the Spider Verse’ and its sequel. Moore also led the coming of age film ‘Dope’. His television appearances include ‘The Get Down’, showcasing music and dance driven storytelling.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo has built an acclaimed career across stage and screen. He portrayed civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in ‘Rustin’ and appears in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. Television audiences know him from ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ and ‘Euphoria’. Domingo is also a playwright and director with multiple theater honors.

Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo has delivered powerful work in crime sagas, period pieces, and family dramas. He made a lasting impression in ‘Clockers’ and brought quiet authority to ‘The Cider House Rules’. Lindo later teamed with Spike Lee again in ‘Da 5 Bloods’. His television credits include ‘The Good Fight’, where he portrayed a sharp and principled attorney.

Jamie Hector

Jamie Hector is widely recognized for a chilling turn in ‘The Wire’. He later joined ‘Bosch’ as a seasoned detective and continued that role in ‘Bosch Legacy’. Hector trained with the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. He also founded a nonprofit arts program that mentors young performers.

Michael Kenneth Williams

Michael K Williams became known for layered portrayals in ‘The Wire’ and ‘Boardwalk Empire’. He brought emotional depth to anthology storytelling in ‘The Night Of’. Williams also appeared in ‘When They See Us’ and ‘Lovecraft Country’. His body of work often explored community, survival, and personal codes.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje first drew attention on ‘Oz’ with a standout prison drama role. He reached global audiences with ‘Lost’ and later appeared in ‘Suicide Squad’. His film credits include ‘The Mummy Returns’ and ‘Pompeii’. He also wrote and directed the autobiographical feature ‘Farming’.

Wood Harris

Wood Harris earned early notice with ‘The Wire’ and then brought gravity to sports drama in ‘Remember the Titans’. He returned to boxing stories in ‘Creed’ and ‘Creed II’. Harris has balanced film and television with roles in ‘Paid in Full’ and ‘BMF’. His performances often track ambition, loyalty, and consequence.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K Brown gained widespread attention for ‘The People v O J Simpson American Crime Story’. He became a household name through ‘This Is Us’. Brown’s film work includes ‘Waves’ and ‘Hotel Artemis’. He trained at Stanford and New York University, building a foundation for both stage and screen.

Courtney B. Vance

Courtney B Vance has a long career across theater and television. He won major awards for ‘The People v O J Simpson American Crime Story’. Vance appeared in ‘Lovecraft Country’ and ‘Genius’. His film credits range from ‘The Hunt for Red October’ to ‘Isle of Dogs’, showing range across genres.

Michael Ealy

Michael Ealy transitioned from independent cinema to mainstream features and network television. He starred in ‘Barbershop’ and appeared in ‘Think Like a Man’. On TV he led seasons of ‘Almost Human’ and ‘Stumptown’. Ealy often explores characters on the edge of romance, crime, and moral choice.

Mekhi Phifer

Mekhi Phifer broke out with ‘Clockers’ and later joined the long running medical series ‘ER’. He appeared in ‘8 Mile’ and ‘Dawn of the Dead’. Phifer’s television work includes ‘Lie to Me’ and ‘Torchwood Miracle Day’. He also took on a key mentor role in the ‘Divergent’ films.

Omari Hardwick

Omari Hardwick led the hit series ‘Power’ as a businessman navigating crime and family. He extended that universe with appearances across related titles. On film he has credits in ‘Sorry to Bother You’ and ‘Army of the Dead’. Hardwick also writes poetry and has performed spoken word pieces.

D.B. Woodside

D B Woodside has been a steady presence in network drama and genre series. He played a central role in ’24’ during pivotal seasons. Woodside then won fans as Amenadiel in ‘Lucifer’. Earlier credits include ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, which highlighted his range in supernatural storytelling.

David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and built a strong stage profile. He portrayed Martin Luther King Jr in ‘Selma’. Oyelowo’s filmography includes ‘Nightingale’ and ‘A United Kingdom’. He has also stepped behind the camera as a producer and director.

Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright earned acclaim early with ‘Basquiat’ and continued with complex roles in ‘Syriana’ and ‘The Ides of March’. He became a key figure in ‘Westworld’. Wright joined major franchises with ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘The Batman’. His voice work includes animation and documentary narration.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito is known for precise and measured characters across crime and science fiction. He became globally recognized through ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’. Esposito expanded into ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Boys’. He also directs and produces, adding to a multi decade career.

John David Washington

John David Washington moved from professional sports to acting and quickly built a varied slate. He headlined ‘BlacKkKlansman’ and carried high concept action in ‘Tenet’. On television he led ‘Ballers’ across multiple seasons. Washington continues to mix independent drama with large scale features.

Share which performances surprised you the most in the comments and add the roles you think more people should check out.