Black Actresses Who Struggle When They Are the Main Attraction

The entertainment industry has long faced challenges in effectively marketing and supporting Black actresses in top-billed leading roles. While many of these performers have earned critical acclaim and prestigious awards for their supporting work, their transition to being the primary attraction often meets with systemic hurdles or inconsistent project quality. This list explores several talented actresses whose lead vehicles have faced commercial underperformance, critical division, or premature cancellations. Understanding these trends provides insight into the complex dynamics of modern stardom and project longevity in Hollywood.

Regina Hall

Regina Hall is widely recognized for her exceptional comedic timing and versatility across multiple film genres. While she found massive success in ensemble casts like ‘Girls Trip’, her solo lead vehicles have seen more varied results. The satirical comedy ‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.’ received praise for her performance but struggled to find a significant audience at the box office. Similarly, the psychological thriller ‘Master’ garnered critical interest but failed to make a major commercial impact upon its release. These instances highlight the difficulty of translating individual critical acclaim into mainstream box office draws.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer became a household name following her Academy Award-winning performance in ‘The Help’. Despite her undeniable talent, her transition into top-billed leading roles has met with some notable hurdles. The horror film ‘Ma’ was a modest financial success but received polarized reviews from critics regarding its narrative execution and tone. Her leading role in the Apple TV+ series ‘Truth Be Told’ has also seen a mixed critical reception over its multiple seasons. These projects demonstrate the challenge of finding lead material that consistently matches the high bar set by her supporting work.

Paula Patton

Paula Patton rose to prominence with significant roles in major blockbusters like ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’. However, her efforts to lead her own feature films and television series have often struggled to find firm footing. The action-thriller ‘Traffik’ and the romantic comedy ‘Baggage Claim’ both received generally negative reviews from critics and saw limited box office returns. On television, her lead vehicle ‘Somewhere Between’ was canceled after only one season due to low viewership numbers. These outcomes suggest a disconnect between her individual screen presence and the reception of the projects she headlines.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw is frequently cited by critics as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. Despite her skill, several of her leading projects have faced significant distribution and commercial obstacles. The superhero drama ‘Fast Color’ was highly reviewed but suffered from a limited theatrical release that prevented it from reaching a wide audience. Her starring role in ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ also faced a difficult path, with the film being moved to a streaming platform following poor test screenings. These hurdles have often made it difficult for her lead performances to achieve the visibility they deserve.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union has enjoyed a long and successful career, particularly in ensemble comedies and dramas. When taking the lead in solo-driven projects, she has encountered more frequent commercial and critical resistance. Lead vehicles like the home-invasion thriller ‘Breaking In’ were financially successful but were largely panned by film critics for their formulaic scripts. Her television lead role in the ‘Bad Boys’ spin-off ‘L.A.’s Finest’ was also canceled after two seasons despite its high-profile branding. These examples show the difficulty of sustaining a long-running franchise as the primary star.

Nicole Beharie

Nicole Beharie earned a dedicated following for her lead role in the supernatural series ‘Sleepy Hollow’. However, her time on the show was marked by behind-the-scenes issues that eventually led to her character’s controversial departure. Her subsequent leading role in the independent film ‘Miss Juneteenth’ was a critical triumph but lacked the marketing budget to achieve mainstream commercial success. While her talent is undisputed, her lead projects have often been hindered by external factors or limited reach. This reflects a broader trend of highly capable actresses being underserved by the industry’s promotional structures.

Meagan Good

Meagan Good has been a consistent presence in film and television since her childhood, often appearing in popular ensemble pieces. Her attempts to anchor her own television series as the primary lead have frequently resulted in short-lived runs. The drama ‘Deception’ and the television adaptation of ‘Minority Report’ both saw Good in the lead role, but both were canceled after just one season. More recently, the series ‘Harlem’ has found a niche audience, yet it still struggles to reach the broad popularity of her earlier ensemble work. Her career illustrates the volatility of the television landscape for solo-led projects.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson has maintained a steady career for decades, often serving as a highlight in large ensemble casts. However, when stepping into the spotlight as the primary lead, her projects have frequently faced premature endings or mixed reception. The neo-noir series ‘Briarpatch’ was highly stylized and critically appreciated but was canceled after only one season due to low viewership. Similarly, while she led the ‘Star Wars’ spin-off ‘Ahsoka’, the series received a more divided response from the fanbase compared to other entries in the franchise. These instances reflect the difficulty of sustaining a major lead vehicle in a competitive market.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris is an Academy Award-nominated actress known for her powerful performances in films like ‘Moonlight’. Despite her prestige, her leading turns in genre films have often struggled to achieve critical or commercial consensus. The action-thriller ‘Black and Blue’ received a lukewarm response from critics and failed to make a significant impact at the box office. Her leading role in the television series ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ also struggled to maintain high viewership despite its high-concept premise. These projects suggest that her strengths are often more effectively utilized in supporting or ensemble capacities.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson has become a major star through her roles in the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ and the ‘Creed’ franchise. When leading her own independent or mid-budget films, the commercial results have been more modest. Films like ‘Little Woods’ and ‘Sylvie’s Love’ were critical darlings but remained niche offerings with limited mainstream visibility. Her attempt to lead a major franchise reboot in ‘Men in Black: International’ was also met with poor critical reviews and disappointing box office returns. This highlights the challenge of transitioning from a beloved supporting character to a primary box office draw.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson became a cultural icon through her role as Cookie Lyon on the hit series ‘Empire’. Despite this immense success, her attempts to lead major theatrical films have seen inconsistent results. The action film ‘Proud Mary’ suffered from a lack of studio promotion and subsequently underperformed at the box office with poor reviews. Her lead role in the comedy ‘What Men Want’ was a financial success but failed to win over critics, who found the script lacking. These examples illustrate the challenges of finding the right material to leverage her significant individual star power.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo is a highly decorated performer, having won a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy for her work. While she received an Oscar nomination for her lead role in ‘Harriet’, other lead projects have not fared as well. Her leading turn in the anthology series ‘Roar’ and various experimental pieces have faced much quieter receptions and limited audience engagement. The high expectations surrounding her lead performances often clash with the niche appeal of the projects she chooses. This creates a disparity between her immense technical skill and the commercial reach of her lead vehicles.

Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga earned widespread acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for her subtle lead performance in ‘Loving’. However, her subsequent leading work in television and film has seen a decline in mainstream momentum. Her leading role in the series ‘Preacher’ saw a steady drop in ratings over its four-season run despite a strong start. Additionally, her lead performance in ‘Passing’ was critically lauded but remained largely within the awards-circuit bubble without broader commercial impact. These outcomes highlight the difficulty of maintaining leading-lady status after a high-profile breakout.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe transitioned from a successful music career into a respected acting career with standout roles in ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘Moonlight’. When she finally took on a solo lead role in the social horror film ‘Antebellum’, the project was met with significant critical backlash. Critics largely felt the film’s narrative was exploitative, overshadowing Monáe’s individual performance. Her lead role in the second season of ‘Homecoming’ also struggled to live up to the critical heights of the first season led by Julia Roberts. These instances show the risks involved in choosing high-concept lead projects.

Sanaa Lathan

Sanaa Lathan has led several beloved cult classics like ‘Love & Basketball’, making her a staple of Black cinema. In more recent years, her lead vehicles have often been relegated to streaming platforms with less cultural impact. Films like ‘Nappily Ever After’ performed well for their specific platforms but did not translate into broader theatrical power. Her leading role in the series ‘Shots Fired’ was also short-lived, failing to secure a second season despite its timely subject matter. This trend reflects the shifting landscape of lead roles for veteran actresses in the streaming era.

Nia Long

Nia Long is a celebrated actress with a career spanning over three decades, mostly known for her roles in iconic ensemble films. Her attempts to lead her own television series or solo films have frequently been met with cancellations or poor reviews. The sitcom ‘Uncle Buck’, in which she held a lead role, was canceled after its first season due to low ratings. Her starring role in the Netflix thriller ‘Fatal Affair’ was a viewership success but was heavily panned by critics for its predictable plot. These projects highlight the difficulty of finding lead material that matches her long-standing reputation.

Kimberly Elise

Kimberly Elise is frequently praised for her intense and emotional performances in dramas like ‘Beloved’ and ‘For Colored Girls’. Despite her talent, she has often been cast in lead roles for television movies and cable series that lack wide mainstream visibility. Projects like ‘Apple Mortgage Cake’ and the series ‘Hit the Floor’ found niche audiences but did not elevate her to the level of a major household name. Her lead turn in the film ‘Diary of a Mad Black Woman’ remains her most notable commercial success, yet similar opportunities have been scarce. This suggests a systemic lack of high-profile lead roles for dramatic specialists.

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard is a legendary actress with numerous awards and nominations to her name across her long career. When she takes on lead roles in independent films, the results are often critically spectacular but commercially invisible. The drama ‘Clemency’ earned her rave reviews and several award nominations, yet it saw almost no commercial box office return during its release. Her lead role in the series ‘See’ also saw her eventually move back into a supporting capacity as the narrative shifted. This indicates that while she is a critical powerhouse, she is rarely given the lead in commercially driven projects.

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton is an Emmy-winning actress known for her complex work on series like ‘Westworld’. Her transition to leading major feature films has encountered significant commercial hurdles in recent years. The 2021 sci-fi thriller ‘Reminiscence’, where she held a central role, was one of the year’s most notable box office disappointments. Her 2022 leading turn in ‘God’s Country’ was praised for her performance but failed to reach a wide audience during its limited release. These results suggest that her immense talent does not always guarantee the commercial viability of her solo projects.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o became an immediate star after her Oscar-winning role in ’12 Years a Slave’. While she had a massive hit with her lead role in ‘Us’, other solo-led genre films have struggled to find the same success. The action film ‘The 355’, which featured her in a lead ensemble capacity, was a significant box office failure and received poor reviews. Her leading role in the horror-comedy ‘Little Monsters’ also remained a niche title with limited theatrical reach. These instances show that even for an actress of her stature, lead roles in commercial genre films can be a hit-or-miss endeavor.

Sophie Okonedo

Sophie Okonedo is a Tony-winning and Oscar-nominated actress who is frequently the standout performer in supporting roles. When she has been cast in lead roles for television series like ‘Undercover’, the projects have often failed to gain international traction. Despite her technical brilliance, many of her lead vehicles remain confined to British television with limited crossover appeal in the United States. Her lead turn in the film ‘Skin’ was critically acclaimed but saw a very restricted release. This reflects the difficulty for international actresses to sustain lead momentum across multiple markets.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira gained global fame through her roles in ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Black Panther’. Outside of these major ensemble franchises, her opportunities to lead her own films have been surprisingly limited. Her early lead role in the independent film ‘The Visitor’ showcased her talent, but she has since primarily worked within established universes. While she is a massive draw as part of a cast, the lack of solo lead vehicles in her filmography is notable. This suggests that the industry may be hesitant to cast her in solo projects outside of the action genre.

Amber Stevens West

Amber Stevens West has led several television comedies that were unfortunately short-lived. She was the primary lead in the sitcom ‘Happy Together’, which was canceled after only one season despite a high-profile executive producer. More recently, she led the Starz series ‘Run the World’, which also faced cancellation after its second season. While she is praised for her charm and comedic timing, her lead vehicles have struggled to find a sustainable audience. This illustrates the high failure rate of new sitcoms in the current fragmented media environment.

Logan Browning

Logan Browning received critical acclaim for her lead role as Samantha White in the Netflix series ‘Dear White People’. While the show was initially a cultural phenomenon, its viewership and critical consensus declined significantly over its later seasons. Since the conclusion of the series, Browning has struggled to find another lead vehicle that matches that initial success. Her lead role in the horror film ‘The Perfection’ was a talking point on social media but received mixed reviews from critics. This highlights the challenge of finding a “second act” after a definitive breakout lead role.

Dewanda Wise

Dewanda Wise rose to prominence as the lead in the television adaptation of ‘She’s Gotta Have It’. Despite the show’s pedigree, it was canceled by Netflix after only two seasons, leaving her without a primary lead platform. She recently appeared as a lead in the blockbuster ‘Jurassic World Dominion’, but as part of a massive ensemble rather than the sole attraction. Her lead role in the series ‘Three Women’ faced various production and network shifts before eventually finding a home. Her career path shows the instability even high-profile lead actresses face in the streaming era.

Emayatzy Corinealdi

Emayatzy Corinealdi was hailed as a major new talent after her breakout lead role in Ava DuVernay’s ‘Middle of Nowhere’. Despite the critical buzz, her subsequent lead roles in television series like ‘Hand of God’ did not sustain that initial momentum. The show was met with mixed reviews and was eventually canceled, while her other projects have often seen her in smaller, supporting capacities. More recently, she has led the legal drama ‘Reasonable Doubt’, which has found success on Hulu. However, the long gap between her breakout and her current lead success highlights the industry’s slow pace in elevating Black talent.

Aja Naomi King

Aja Naomi King became a fan favorite for her role in the ensemble drama ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. When she was cast in the lead of the high-profile film ‘The Birth of a Nation’, the project was expected to be an awards contender but was derailed by off-screen controversy. The film underperformed at the box office, and King’s performance was largely overshadowed by the surrounding news. Since then, she has primarily returned to supporting roles in films like ‘The Upside’ and ‘Lessons in Chemistry’. This demonstrates how external factors can negatively impact an actress’s trajectory when they finally secure a major lead.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer has been a lead actress since her youth in projects like ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ and ‘True Jackson, VP’. As an adult, her leading turns in films like the historical drama ‘Alice’ have been met with a much quieter reception and mixed reviews. While she is a powerhouse on social media and as a television personality, her recent solo lead films have struggled to achieve mainstream commercial dominance. Her performance in the ensemble film ‘Hustlers’ was widely praised, but it was not a solo lead vehicle. This suggests her current strength may lie more in her multifaceted public persona than in traditional film leads.

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett earned rave reviews for her lead role in the HBO series ‘Lovecraft Country’. Despite being a critical hit and an awards contender, the series was abruptly canceled after its first season, shocking fans and critics alike. Her subsequent lead role in the Netflix action film ‘Lou’ received lukewarm reviews that criticized the script’s lack of originality. While she continues to be a highly sought-after actress, the sudden end of her most successful lead vehicle was a significant setback. This reflects the unpredictable nature of modern television, even for successful lead performers.

Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi successfully transitioned her ‘Black-ish’ character into a lead role in the spin-off ‘Grown-ish’. While the show has been a long-running success for Freeform, her attempts to lead theatrical films have been less fruitful. Her starring role in the YA romance ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’ was a notable box office disappointment and received mediocre reviews. Her lead role as Tinker Bell in ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ was also met with a divided reaction and a straight-to-streaming release. These examples show the difficulty of expanding a television-based lead brand into a successful film career.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg gained widespread recognition for her powerful lead performance in the social drama ‘The Hate U Give’. Her subsequent leading roles in major franchises and genre films have encountered more significant resistance. The dystopian thriller ‘The Darkest Minds’ failed to launch a planned franchise due to poor box office returns and negative reviews. More recently, her lead role in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Acolyte’ faced heavy audience backlash and was canceled after its first season. These projects illustrate the difficulties of anchoring large-scale, high-budget productions.

Zazie Beetz

Zazie Beetz is a critically acclaimed actress known for her standout role in the series ‘Atlanta’. When she has taken the lead in films such as the psychological thriller ‘Wounds’ or the biopic ‘Seberg’ (in a major central role), the critical reception has been largely negative. These films struggled to find an audience and were often criticized for their narrative choices rather than her performance. While she remains a favorite for supporting roles in major franchises like ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Joker’, her solo lead projects have yet to achieve similar success. This suggests a pattern of talented actresses being cast in lead roles for flawed projects.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba won multiple Emmys for her supporting role in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Her transition to leading her own series, such as the reboot of ‘In Treatment’, was met with critical respect but failed to generate significant cultural conversation or high viewership. Similarly, her lead role in the limited series ‘Painkiller’ received mixed reviews compared to other projects covering the same subject matter. While her acting remains highly regarded, these lead vehicles have not reached the same level of popularity as her breakout role. This demonstrates the challenge of following up a definitive character performance with a new lead identity.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash has had a long career in comedy and recently proved her dramatic range in ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’. However, her efforts to lead her own procedurals or sitcoms have seen mixed longevity. Her lead role in ‘The Rookie: Feds’ was canceled after only one season despite the success of the parent series. While she led the series ‘Claws’ for four seasons, it remained a niche cable hit rather than a mainstream juggernaut. Her career shows a consistent ability to lead, but often within the confines of projects that struggle for broader recognition.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae became a major industry player by creating and starring in the hit series ‘Insecure’. When she has stepped out to lead theatrical films like ‘The Photograph’ and ‘The Lovebirds’, the commercial results have been relatively modest. ‘The Lovebirds’ was moved to a streaming platform during the pandemic, while ‘The Photograph’ had a respectable but quiet theatrical run. While she is a successful producer and mogul, her solo film lead vehicles have yet to match the cultural impact of her television work. This highlights the different demands of leading a long-form series versus a two-hour feature film.

Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish became an overnight sensation following her breakout supporting role in ‘Girls Trip’. Following this success, she was cast as the lead in several comedies like ‘Night School’, ‘Like a Boss’, and ‘The Kitchen’. Most of these films were met with poor critical reviews and varying degrees of box office disappointment. Critics often felt that the scripts relied too heavily on her persona rather than providing a strong narrative foundation. This exemplifies the industry trend of over-saturating the market with an actress’s lead roles without ensuring project quality.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry remains a pioneer as the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. However, her recent leading turns in high-budget and independent projects alike have faced significant obstacles. The science fiction disaster film ‘Moonfall’ was a major box office disappointment that failed to connect with audiences or critics. Additionally, her directorial debut and lead role in ‘Bruised’ received lukewarm reviews for its formulaic sports-drama plot. These outcomes suggest a persistent difficulty in finding lead material that matches her historic star power and talent level.

Share your thoughts on which of these actresses you would like to see in a major new lead role in the comments.