15 Actresses Perfect for the Role of the Vixen in the DCU

Vixen—also known as Mari McCabe—is a DC Comics superhero who channels the abilities of animals through the mystical Tantu Totem. The character debuted in print in the early 1980s, later served on multiple Justice League rosters, and has been depicted with a professional background in fashion and television in addition to her superhero activities. Her power set has included speed, strength, agility, echolocation, and other traits modeled on the animal kingdom, with storylines spanning street-level crime to global-scale threats.

On screen, Vixen has appeared in animation and live action across several projects. The character was introduced to television audiences on the animated series ‘Justice League Unlimited’, later headlined the CW Seed animated series ‘Vixen’, and appeared in ‘Arrow’; an ancestor of Mari, Amaya Jiwe, featured as a series regular on ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’. With a new DCU roadmap led by DC Studios, the role offers opportunities across film and streaming projects that connect characters from different corners of the franchise.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o is a Kenyan-Mexican actor whose film work includes an Academy Award-winning performance in ’12 Years a Slave’, the role of Nakia in ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, and leading turns in ‘Us’ and ‘Queen of Katwe’. Her credits span franchises and original features directed by filmmakers such as Steve McQueen, Ryan Coogler, Jordan Peele, and Mira Nair, and she has also performed on stage in the play ‘Eclipsed’ written by Danai Gurira.

Vixen’s Tantu Totem allows the character to call on the attributes of animals, and she has served on Justice League teams while maintaining a public persona in fashion and media. The character has appeared alongside other DC heroes in animation on ‘Justice League Unlimited’ and headlined the animated ‘Vixen’ series, with a live-action appearance on ‘Arrow’ connecting that continuity to a broader TV universe.

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett’s screen work includes Dinah Lance in ‘Birds of Prey’, the lead role of Leti in ‘Lovecraft Country’, and performances in ‘Underground’, ‘True Blood’, and ‘Friday Night Lights’. Her projects have involved creators and directors such as Cathy Yan, Misha Green, Alan Ball, and Peter Berg, and she has appeared in both period dramas and contemporary genre series.

In comics canon, Vixen has been written as a Justice League mainstay with story arcs involving international missions, metahuman adversaries, and crossovers with teams like the Suicide Squad. The character’s adaptations include the animated ‘Vixen’ series and a guest appearance on ‘Arrow’, while the period-set Amaya Jiwe iteration featured on ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ expanded the Totem’s lineage within DC television.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris has led and supported projects across film and television, including roles in ‘Chi-Raq’, ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, ‘WandaVision’, and ‘The Marvels’. She has collaborated with Spike Lee, Barry Jenkins, and Nia DaCosta, and her television work includes ‘Survivor’s Remorse’, produced by LeBron James’s SpringHill Entertainment.

Vixen’s canonical background places Mari McCabe as a model and media personality who uses the Tantu Totem to channel animal abilities for crime-fighting, with stories set in cities like New York and in fictional locations tied to the Totem’s history. Screen iterations have included ‘Justice League Unlimited’ in animation and the CW Seed ‘Vixen’ series, alongside live-action appearances that link the character to ‘Arrow’ and the ensemble storytelling of ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’.

Zazie Beetz

Zazie Beetz’s career includes roles in ‘Atlanta’, ‘Deadpool 2’, ‘Joker’, ‘The Harder They Fall’, and ‘Bullet Train’. Her collaborators include Donald Glover, David Leitch, Todd Phillips, Jeymes Samuel, and David Leitch, and she has performed across comedy, western, and comic-book adaptations alongside co-stars such as Brian Tyree Henry, Joaquin Phoenix, and Brad Pitt.

Within DC lore, Vixen has operated as part of Justice League lineups and has been portrayed as a celebrity whose public brand intersects with superhero responsibilities. Animated appearances on ‘Justice League Unlimited’ and the CW Seed ‘Vixen’ series established the Totem’s mechanics and family legacy, while live-action entries on ‘Arrow’ and the ensemble format of ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ situated the character within a shared TV continuity.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s film and television projects include ‘Belle’, ‘Beyond the Lights’, ‘San Junipero’ from ‘Black Mirror’, ‘The Morning Show’, and ‘Loki’. She has worked with Amma Asante, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Charlie Brooker, Kerry Ehrin, and Michael Waldron, and has co-starred with actors such as Tom Hiddleston, Mackenzie Davis, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s ensemble on ‘The Morning Show’.

Vixen’s abilities derive from the Tantu Totem, with comic narratives exploring mysticism connected to African folklore and the Totem’s ancestral guardianship. The character has appeared in animation on ‘Justice League Unlimited’ and ‘Vixen’, and in live action on ‘Arrow’, while ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ developed the Amaya Jiwe version as part of a time-travel ensemble, reinforcing the Totem’s generational legacy.

Thuso Mbedu

Thuso Mbedu’s credits include the lead role of Cora in ‘The Underground Railroad’ and a principal role in ‘The Woman King’. She has worked with directors Barry Jenkins and Gina Prince-Bythewood and has performed opposite actors including Viola Davis and Sheila Atim in historical and action-drama settings.

In print and on screen, Vixen’s powerset encompasses speed, strength, senses, and durability modeled on animals, and she has appeared as an international superhero with African roots tied to the Totem’s origin. Animated depictions in ‘Vixen’ and ‘Justice League Unlimited’ introduced the character to broader audiences, while live-action appearances on ‘Arrow’ and the ancestor Amaya Jiwe on ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ connected the mythology to multiple eras.

Nathalie Emmanuel

Nathalie Emmanuel is known for ‘Game of Thrones’ as Missandei, roles in the ‘Fast & Furious’ series including ‘Furious 7’, ‘The Fate of the Furious’, and ‘F9’, and appearances in ‘The Maze Runner’ films. Her collaborators span directors James Wan, F. Gary Gray, Justin Lin, and Wes Ball, and she has performed in large-scale ensemble projects.

Vixen’s Justice League tenure has involved global operations, clashes with metahuman foes, and alliances with heroes across the DC roster, while her civilian identity places her in media and philanthropy circles. The character’s televised presence includes ‘Justice League Unlimited’, the CW Seed ‘Vixen’ series, and live-action storytelling on ‘Arrow’, with ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ expanding the Totem’s family history through Amaya Jiwe.

Tati Gabrielle

Tati Gabrielle’s roles include Prudence in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’, Marienne in ‘You’, and a supporting turn in the feature ‘Uncharted’. She has worked with producers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Sera Gamble, and director Ruben Fleischer, and her projects span supernatural drama, psychological thriller, and action-adventure.

Vixen’s stories have depicted Mari McCabe balancing public-facing work with covert superhero missions, using the Tantu Totem to summon animal traits such as flight, sonar-like perception, and enhanced resilience. On television, the character’s appearances in ‘Justice League Unlimited’ and the animated ‘Vixen’ series established canonical elements later echoed in ‘Arrow’, while ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ incorporated the Totem’s lineage through Amaya Jiwe.

Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch’s filmography features Nomi in ‘No Time to Die’, Maria Rambeau in ‘Captain Marvel’, and a central role in ‘The Woman King’. She has collaborated with directors Cary Joji Fukunaga, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, and Gina Prince-Bythewood, working in action, historical drama, and superhero cinema alongside co-stars including Daniel Craig and Brie Larson.

In DC media, Vixen is linked to the Justice League and has undertaken missions that combine urban vigilantism with international threats, often highlighting the Totem’s link to ancestral stewardship. Her animated appearances in ‘Justice League Unlimited’ and ‘Vixen’, plus live-action crossovers on ‘Arrow’ and ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’, outline the character’s adaptability across mediums and timelines.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer’s screen work includes lead roles in ‘Nope’ and ‘Akeelah and the Bee’, ensemble appearances in ‘Hustlers’, and television roles in ‘Scream Queens’ and other series. Her collaborations span directors Jordan Peele, Doug Atchison, and Lorene Scafaria, and she has performed opposite actors such as Daniel Kaluuya, Jennifer Lopez, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Vixen’s narratives often integrate media and celebrity dynamics into superhero plots, with Mari McCabe’s public life intersecting with Justice League duties and solo missions. The character’s animated headliners include the CW Seed ‘Vixen’ series and appearances on ‘Justice League Unlimited’, while ‘Arrow’ and ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ have depicted the Totem’s power set and family heritage in live action.

Storm Reid

Storm Reid has appeared in ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, the series ‘Euphoria’, the film ‘The Invisible Man’, and the thriller ‘Missing’. Her collaborators include Ava DuVernay, Sam Levinson, Leigh Whannell, and the filmmaking team of Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick, with co-stars such as Elisabeth Moss and Zendaya across genre and drama projects.

Vixen’s Tantu Totem channels abilities from creatures including big cats, birds of prey, and marine life, allowing varied tactics in team and solo storylines. The character’s presence in ‘Justice League Unlimited’ and the CW Seed ‘Vixen’ series helped codify power visualization in animation, while ‘Arrow’ and ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ translated Totem mechanics and lineage to live action.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright’s roles include Shuri in ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, a leading performance in ‘Small Axe: Mangrove’, and a central role in ‘The Silent Twins’. She has worked with directors Ryan Coogler, Steve McQueen, and Agnieszka Smoczynska, and appeared in the anthology ‘Black Mirror’.

Vixen’s publication history features Justice League membership, solo miniseries, and crossovers emphasizing the Totem’s mystical source and the character’s humanitarian endeavors. The animated ‘Vixen’ series and ‘Justice League Unlimited’ established audience familiarity with the character, while ‘Arrow’ and ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ positioned the Totem’s heirs within broader team-based television arcs.

Dominique Thorne

Dominique Thorne’s film credits include roles in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’, and she portrays Riri Williams in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ and the connected streaming series ‘Ironheart’. Her collaborators include Barry Jenkins, Shaka King, and Ryan Coogler, working alongside ensembles led by actors such as Daniel Kaluuya and Michael B. Jordan.

Vixen’s stories draw on folklore tied to the Totem’s origin and its passage through generations, with Mari McCabe frequently depicted as an international figure balancing public and heroic identities. The character’s screen legacy comprises ‘Justice League Unlimited’, the CW Seed ‘Vixen’ series, and live-action portrayals in ‘Arrow’ and ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’, mapping a path from animation to interconnected television.

Sonequa Martin-Green

Sonequa Martin-Green stars as Michael Burnham in ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ and previously portrayed Sasha on ‘The Walking Dead’, with film work including ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’. She has collaborated with producers and showrunners associated with the ‘Star Trek’ franchise and worked within ensemble casts across science fiction and horror drama.

Vixen’s recurring role in Justice League operations positions Mari McCabe in stories featuring strategic team dynamics, covert investigations, and supernatural threats rooted in the Totem’s history. Animated appearances on ‘Justice League Unlimited’ and the CW Seed ‘Vixen’ series, along with live-action engagements on ‘Arrow’ and the ensemble of ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’, demonstrate the character’s established presence in DC media.

Megalyn Echikunwoke

Megalyn Echikunwoke voiced Mari McCabe in the animated ‘Vixen’ series and portrayed the character in live action on ‘Arrow’. Her broader television work includes roles in series such as ‘CSI: Miami’, ‘The 4400’, and ‘90210’, and she has appeared in features and network dramas working with creators including Anthony E. Zuiker, Scott Peters, and René Echevarria.

Vixen’s depiction in the CW Seed ‘Vixen’ series established the Totem’s capabilities and tied the character to other DC heroes through crossover episodes, while the ‘Arrow’ appearance integrated Mari into live-action continuity. The character’s additional presence in ‘Justice League Unlimited’ provided an animated ensemble context in which Vixen operated alongside heroes such as Green Lantern and others from the Justice League roster.

Share your thoughts on which performers you’d cast as Mari McCabe in an upcoming DCU project in the comments.