Underrated Black Actresses You May Not Know

There are so many talented Black actresses delivering remarkable work across film, TV, and theater who deserve way more attention. This list spotlights performers whose resumes include acclaimed indies, prestige television, Broadway triumphs, and genre standouts. You’ll find leads, scene stealers, and multi-hyphenates whose projects span continents and styles. Use it to discover new favorites and to catch up on performances you might have missed.

Thuso Mbedu

South African actress Thuso Mbedu earned international attention with ‘The Underground Railroad’ and led ‘The Woman King’ alongside an ensemble cast. She trained at the University of the Witwatersrand and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Her early work in South African series like ‘Is’Thunzi’ built a reputation for emotionally grounded performances. She continues to split time between global productions and projects filmed in Africa.

Wunmi Mosaku

Wunmi Mosaku is a British-Nigerian actress known for layered roles in ‘His House’ and ‘Lovecraft Country’. She trained at RADA and has stage credits with major UK companies. Television audiences also know her from ‘Luther’ and ‘We Own This City’. She frequently chooses projects that blend social themes with genre storytelling.

Dominique Fishback

Dominique Fishback broke out with ‘The Deuce’ and delivered acclaimed turns in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and ‘Swarm’. She started as a spoken-word artist and developed a one-woman play before moving into screen roles. Her filmography includes dramas, biographical stories, and big-budget franchises like ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’. She often portrays characters navigating community, ambition, and resilience.

Kirby Howell-Baptiste

Kirby Howell-Baptiste has been a sharp presence in ‘The Good Place’, ‘Barry’, and ‘Killing Eve’. She balances comedic timing with dramatic beats and has also voiced characters in animation like ‘Infinity Train’. Her film credits include ‘Cruella’ and character-driven indies. She frequently works across British and American productions.

Sheila Atim

Ugandan-British performer Sheila Atim is a Laurence Olivier Award winner with a strong theater foundation. Screen audiences know her from ‘The Woman King’, ‘The Underground Railroad’, and ‘Bruised’. She is also a composer and singer, contributing original music to stage works. Her choices often highlight historical narratives and physically demanding roles.

Jodie Turner-Smith

Jodie Turner-Smith headlined ‘Queen & Slim’ and later appeared in ‘Anne Boleyn’ and ‘The Acolyte’. She began as a model before transitioning to acting in series like ‘The Last Ship’. Her filmography spans social dramas, period pieces, and sci-fi. She is known for taking on parts that reinterpret familiar genres through fresh perspectives.

Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch entered global conversation with ‘Captain Marvel’ and the 007 franchise in ‘No Time to Die’. She won praise for her work in ‘The Woman King’ and brought musical energy to ‘Matilda the Musical’. Her training at ArtsEd supported a disciplined approach to action and character work. She frequently collaborates on projects that expand representation in blockbuster spaces.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris moved from ‘Mad Men’ to leading roles in ‘Chi-Raq’ and the Marvel series ‘WandaVision’. She trained at Juilliard and built range across comedy, drama, and superhero storytelling. Her performances often anchor ensembles with warmth and precision. She continues to alternate between television miniseries and feature films.

Amber Gray

Amber Gray is a stage powerhouse best known for ‘Hadestown’ while also working in screen projects like ‘Gaslit’. She trained at NYU and is recognized for dynamic vocal and physical performance. Her film and TV roles often lean into historical and political material. She brings theatrical command to intimate character scenes on camera.

Nikki Amuka-Bird

Nikki Amuka-Bird’s credits include ‘Luther’, ‘Avenue 5’, and films like ‘Old’. She trained at LAMDA and built a career across theater, television, and cinema. Her roles often involve intelligent professionals navigating high-pressure situations. She is a frequent collaborator in UK prestige dramas and international co-productions.

Carmen Ejogo

Carmen Ejogo has portrayed real-life figures in ‘Selma’ and led genre pieces like ‘It Comes at Night’. She began acting as a teen in the UK before expanding to American projects. Television highlights include ‘True Detective’ and ‘The Girlfriend Experience’. She often selects scripts that explore complex interpersonal dynamics.

Susan Kelechi Watson

Susan Kelechi Watson became widely known through ‘This Is Us’ while maintaining a strong theater presence. She trained at Howard University and the Moscow Art Theatre program. Her credits include guest roles on ‘The Blacklist’ and film work opposite ensembles in character dramas. She often contributes as a producer and script developer.

Yetide Badaki

Yetide Badaki drew notice with ‘American Gods’ and has written and produced independent projects. She holds an MFA from Illinois State University and has stage experience in classical and new works. On screen she navigates mythic material and contemporary stories with equal ease. She is active in advocacy for immigrant and Nigerian diaspora narratives.

Anna Diop

Anna Diop stars as Starfire in ‘Titans’ and appeared in the thriller ‘Nanny’. Born in Senegal, she moved to the United States and worked in series like ‘24: Legacy’. Her roles blend genre action with culturally specific storytelling. She frequently collaborates with filmmakers exploring identity and displacement.

Rutina Wesley

Rutina Wesley made a mark with ‘True Blood’ and later led arcs in ‘Queen Sugar’. A Juilliard graduate, she has extensive theater training that informs her screen work. Her filmography includes independent features and network television. She often portrays characters balancing family duty with personal transformation.

Antoinette Robertson

Antoinette Robertson is known for ‘Dear White People’ and appearances in series like ‘Hart of Dixie’. She studied at Stony Brook University before pursuing acting full time. Her work often examines campus culture, relationships, and ambition. She also participates in outreach initiatives supporting STEM education and the arts.

Adina Porter

Adina Porter has a deep catalog with ‘American Horror Story’, ‘True Blood’, and ‘The Newsroom’. She began on stage and earned critical notices for off-Broadway productions. Television casting often taps her for characters with moral complexity. She brings a distinct intensity to limited series and anthology formats.

Simone Missick

Simone Missick introduced Misty Knight in ‘Luke Cage’ and later headlined ‘All Rise’. She trained at Howard University and sharpened her craft in regional theater. Her screen work includes action, legal drama, and character-driven procedurals. She is also involved in mentorship programs for young performers.

Zainab Jah

Zainab Jah is a Sierra Leonean-born actress celebrated for theater roles in ‘Eclipsed’ and screen work in ‘Blindspot’. She has collaborated with major New York stages and international festivals. Her film and TV appearances often explore global politics and migration. She brings multilingual fluency and movement training to her performances.

Patina Miller

Patina Miller won a Tony Award for ‘Pippin’ and expanded to television with ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’. She trained at Carnegie Mellon University and has strong vocal technique from musical theater. Film credits include ‘The Hunger Games’ series in a pivotal supporting role. She frequently bridges stage musicality with grounded screen acting.

Deborah Ayorinde

Deborah Ayorinde appeared in ‘Them’ and ‘Luke Cage’ and starred in thrillers exploring diaspora stories. Born in London and raised partly in the United States, she brings a transatlantic perspective to roles. Her projects often center on women confronting systemic trauma and survival. She also writes and produces independent content.

Logan Browning

Logan Browning led ‘Dear White People’ and appeared in the psychological film ‘The Perfection’. She began acting young and built experience in both sitcoms and dramas. Her roles navigate satire, academia, and industry politics. She continues to champion stories about media representation and student life.

Taylour Paige

Taylour Paige trained as a dancer with the Los Angeles Laker Girls before moving into acting. She earned strong notices for ‘Zola’ and supported ensembles in films like ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. Television work includes guest spots that highlight comedic and dramatic range. She often selects projects centered on working-class characters and creative hustles.

Cleopatra Coleman

Cleopatra Coleman is an Australian actress seen in ‘The Last Man on Earth’ and the thriller ‘In the Shadow of the Moon’. She has worked across Australian television and American streaming series. Her filmography mixes science fiction, comedy, and noir. She frequently writes and develops genre projects.

Kiersey Clemons

Kiersey Clemons broke out with ‘Dope’ and later appeared in ‘Hearts Beat Loud’ and superhero titles like ‘The Flash’. She balances indie music-infused stories with studio releases. Television and voice roles add animation and limited series to her portfolio. She often plays creative young leads navigating friendship and self-discovery.

Nicole Beharie

Nicole Beharie earned early attention with ‘Shame’ and led the series ‘Sleepy Hollow’. She trained at Juilliard and studied abroad at the British American Drama Academy. Her film work includes ‘Miss Juneteenth’ and ‘Monsters and Men’. She frequently appears in projects that explore identity, community, and resilience.

Adepero Oduye

Adepero Oduye made a breakthrough with ‘Pariah’ and later appeared in ‘12 Years a Slave’. She studied at Cornell University before focusing on acting and writing. Television credits include ‘When They See Us’ and ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’. Her roles often involve characters navigating institutional pressure and family ties.

Lorraine Toussaint

Lorraine Toussaint is known for powerful turns in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘The Equalizer’. She trained at Juilliard and built an extensive stage career. Film appearances include ‘Selma’ and ‘Fast Color’. She often plays leaders and mentors within complex ensemble stories.

Erika Alexander

Erika Alexander became widely recognized for ‘Living Single’ and later expanded into genre and drama with ‘Get Out’. She is also a producer and co creator of comic series and documentaries. Television work includes ‘Wutang An American Saga’ and ‘Swimming with Sharks’. She frequently blends creative development with multifaceted screen roles.

Aisha Hinds

Aisha Hinds has delivered standout work in ‘9 1 1’ and historical projects such as ‘Underground’. She began on stage and built a resume across network and cable television. Film credits include ‘Godzilla King of the Monsters’ and ‘If I Stay’. She often portrays determined professionals and community figures.

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley gained recognition with ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and earned acclaim for ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. She trained at Juilliard and has voice roles in animation and games. Her filmography includes indies like ‘Social Animals’ and festival shorts. She often works in stories centered on survival and solidarity.

Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor transitioned from music and dance into acclaimed acting with ‘A Thousand and One’. Television work includes ‘The Breaks’ and guest appearances across scripted series. She contributes choreography and creative direction to several projects. Her roles frequently examine motherhood, ambition, and urban life.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel created and starred in ‘I May Destroy You’ and first broke out with ‘Chewing Gum’. She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Film credits include ‘Black Panther Wakanda Forever’ and ensemble drama ‘Been So Long’. She is also a writer and producer shaping stories about consent, power, and creativity.

Gugu Mbatha Raw

Gugu Mbatha Raw is known for films like ‘Belle’ and ‘Beyond the Lights’. She trained at RADA and performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Television work includes ‘Loki’ and ‘Black Mirror’. She often takes roles that center on personal reinvention and artistic identity.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris built a wide ranging career with ‘Moonlight’ and the ‘James Bond’ series. She trained at Cambridge University and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Other credits include ‘Southpaw’ and ‘Venom Let There Be Carnage’. She frequently portrays characters balancing vulnerability and strategic control.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira is known worldwide for ‘The Walking Dead’ and the ‘Black Panther’ films. She is also an award winning playwright behind ‘Eclipsed’. Television and film roles often intersect with her advocacy for global public health and the arts. She regularly collaborates on projects rooted in African and diaspora narratives.

Sonequa Martin Green

Sonequa Martin Green leads ‘Star Trek Discovery’ and previously appeared in ‘The Walking Dead’. She studied theater at the University of Alabama and worked extensively in regional productions. Her film credits include ‘Holiday Rush’ and independent dramas. She often plays mission driven leaders in science fiction and family stories.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba earned widespread recognition with ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and later led ‘Mrs America’ and ‘Painkiller’. She trained at Boston University and began in theater before television. Film work spans dramas and comedies including ‘Beats’ and ‘National Champions’. She frequently portrays women confronting political and corporate systems.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo won major theater awards for ‘The Color Purple’ and transitioned to screen work with ‘Harriet’. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Additional credits include ‘Widows’ and ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’. She is also a songwriter whose music appears in film and television.

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett has headlined projects like ‘Lovecraft Country’ and appeared in ‘Birds of Prey’. She began acting as a child and built a steady career across network and streaming television. Her filmography includes ‘Eve’s Bayou’ and legal thriller ‘The Burial’. She often collaborates on narratives that mix genre elements with social history.

Share the actresses you’d add to this list in the comments and tell us which performances readers should check out next.