Most Famous Black Actresses of the 2020s

From breakout debuts to record-setting award wins, the 2020s have spotlighted a powerhouse generation of Black actresses reshaping film and television across genres and platforms. They anchor prestige dramas, front blockbuster franchises, create and produce their own shows, and lead global box-office hits. Here are fifteen names whose performances, accolades, and industry impact have defined the decade so far—plus thirty more essential stars continuing that momentum.

Zendaya

Zendaya became the youngest two-time winner of television’s top acting prize for her lead turn in ‘Euphoria’, cementing her status in prestige drama. She expanded into large-scale cinema with ‘Dune’ and ‘Challengers’, demonstrating global box-office reach. As a producer on ‘Euphoria’, she influences creative direction behind the camera. Major fashion and brand partnerships amplify her visibility across markets.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis achieved EGOT status, adding a spoken-word album win to earlier film and television honors anchored by ‘Fences’ and ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. She led and produced ‘The Woman King’, underscoring her clout in mounting large-scale stories. Through JuVee Productions, she develops diverse narratives across mediums. She remains a leading voice on representation and opportunity in Hollywood.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, a landmark recognition for a superhero performance. She later received an honorary Academy Award acknowledging her cultural impact. On television, she continues to headline ‘9-1-1’, one of broadcast’s most reliable dramas. Her filmography and advocacy highlight longevity and excellence for Black actresses.

Regina King

Regina King extended her multi-hyphenate run by directing ‘One Night in Miami…’ while maintaining high-profile acting roles. She portrayed Shirley Chisholm in ‘Shirley’, bringing a political trailblazer’s story to wide audiences. Her earlier accolades for ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and ‘Watchmen’ set the stage for an expansive directing slate. She frequently partners with streamers on prestige films and limited series.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o built on an Academy Award–winning breakthrough with standout turns in ‘Us’ and the ‘Black Panther’ franchise. She broadened into genre work with ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’, adding horror to her range. Nyong’o is also a bestselling children’s author with ‘Sulwe’, extending her cultural impact. She regularly anchors internationally marketed films that perform across territories.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright stepped into franchise leadership with ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, carrying a major Marvel installment as Shuri. She drew critical recognition with ‘Mangrove’ within ‘Small Axe’, showcasing dramatic range. Wright champions Caribbean and African stories in global cinema. Her slate spans studio blockbusters and acclaimed limited series.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel created, wrote, and starred in ‘I May Destroy You’, earning top awards for writing and becoming an auteur-TV touchstone. She expanded her international reach with ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. Coel’s stage work and book projects complement her screen career. She advocates for artistic ownership and creator-led production models.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae concluded ‘Insecure’ while launching ‘Rap Sh!t’ as creator and executive producer. On film, she appeared in ‘Barbie’ and ‘Vengeance’, balancing studio and indie sensibilities. Through HOORAE, she develops TV, film, audio, and digital projects with an emphasis on emerging talent. She is a key industry builder with active festival and incubator initiatives.

Quinta Brunson

Quinta Brunson created, stars in, and executive produces ‘Abbott Elementary’, which revitalized the network workplace comedy. She earned major acting and writing honors for the series. Brunson’s background in digital sketch informed the show’s crisp pacing and character focus. She continues expanding into hosting and new scripted projects.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer headlined ‘Nope’ and became the host of ‘Password’, demonstrating versatility across film, television, and unscripted formats. She won a Primetime Emmy for ‘Keke Palmer’s Turnt Up with the Taylors’, recognized for short-form performance. Palmer’s voice work, music, and entrepreneurial ventures broaden her pop-culture footprint. She remains a frequent awards-show host and live performer.

Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri’s breakout with ‘The Bear’ earned major television awards and industry-wide recognition. She expanded into voice leads in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ and ‘Inside Out 2’, plus scene-stealing turns in ‘Bottoms’. Edebiri also writes and produces, with early credits in animation and sketch. Her rapid ascent reflects a blend of critical acclaim and broad audience appeal.

Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey starred as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’, delivering a global, star-making lead. She joined the ensemble of ‘The Color Purple’, strengthening her musical screen credentials. As half of Chloe x Halle, she maintains an active music career alongside acting. Her casting choices sparked conversations about inclusive storytelling in legacy franchises.

Dominique Fishback

Dominique Fishback earned awards attention for ‘Swarm’, praised for an intense, psychologically rich lead. She previously stood out in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and later headlined ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’. Fishback’s stage-writing roots inform her character-driven approach across genres. She continues booking roles that span prestige limited series and large-scale action.

Thuso Mbedu

Thuso Mbedu led ‘The Underground Railroad’, drawing international acclaim for a demanding limited-series performance. She moved into action-historical cinema with ‘The Woman King’. Mbedu’s career bridges South African television beginnings and global streaming platforms. Her roles highlight resilience and cross-cultural narratives.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo earned top theatre and music honors for ‘The Color Purple’ on stage and received Oscar nominations for ‘Harriet’. On television, she portrayed Aretha Franklin in ‘Genius: Aretha’, adding to her acclaimed biographical work. Erivo stars as Elphaba in ‘Wicked’, leading a major two-part musical adaptation. She maintains a dual career as a recording artist and screen performer.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer is an Academy Award–winning actress known for ‘The Help’, ‘Ma’, and ‘Hidden Figures’. She leads and executive produces the streaming drama ‘Truth Be Told’. Spencer’s production banner develops projects that foreground underrepresented voices. She also narrates and hosts factual series and podcasts, extending her reach beyond scripted work.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson headlined ‘Empire’ and earned widespread recognition for ‘Hidden Figures’. She appears in studio features and prestige ensembles, including ‘The Color Purple’. Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to expand mental-health resources in Black communities. Her credits span drama, comedy, and animation voice roles.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington anchored ‘Scandal’ and moved into producing and starring turns in ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ and ‘UnPrisoned’. She publishes memoir work and leads civic initiatives focused on voting access and arts education. Washington frequently collaborates with streamers on limited series and films. Her company develops projects centered on complex contemporary women.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira is known worldwide for ‘Black Panther’ and for her long-running role in ‘The Walking Dead’. She is also a celebrated playwright with major productions on prominent stages. Gurira serves as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador supporting global gender-equality campaigns. Her screen work spans franchise action, historical drama, and character-driven television.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson balances franchise work like ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and ‘Creed’ with acclaimed dramas such as ‘Passing’. She produces independent projects highlighting emerging filmmakers. Thompson’s voice roles and podcast appearances broaden her cultural footprint. She maintains a steady presence at major festivals and in prestige streaming releases.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldaña anchors two of the highest-grossing global franchises with ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. She expanded into limited-series drama with ‘From Scratch’, which she also produced. Saldaña co-founded a media company focusing on Latino and diverse creators. Her action and sci-fi credentials pair with dramatic leads on streaming platforms.

Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch broke out with a headline-making turn in ‘No Time to Die’ and followed with key roles in ‘The Woman King’ and ‘Matilda the Musical’. She works across action, period drama, and family musical adaptations. Lynch collaborates with top directors and ensembles while maintaining stage roots. Her choices emphasize physically demanding and historically grounded roles.

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett earned major attention with ‘Lovecraft Country’ and brought DC energy to ‘Birds of Prey’. She has credits dating to childhood, evolving into adult leads across film and TV. Smollett often partners with auteurs on socially conscious genre pieces. She participates in advocacy related to criminal justice reform and youth empowerment.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba won multiple top TV honors for ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and later earned acclaim for ‘Mrs. America’. She headlined limited series such as ‘Painkiller’ and continues to lead in streaming projects. Aduba’s stage background informs her range in drama and comedy. She is active in arts education and public-health awareness campaigns.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw is known for ‘Belle’ and for the anthology hit ‘Black Mirror’, and she moved into franchise television with ‘Loki’. She leads ‘Surface’ as star and executive producer. Mbatha-Raw has a strong theatre pedigree in classic and contemporary work. Her screen projects often pair character studies with elevated genre elements.

Zazie Beetz

Zazie Beetz broke through with ‘Atlanta’ and brought superhero and neo-noir presence to ‘Deadpool 2’ and ‘Joker’. She alternates between indie features and studio projects. Beetz produces short-form work and participates in audio dramas. Her multilingual background supports international press and cross-border collaborations.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor earned top-tier nominations for ‘King Richard’ and led Ava DuVernay’s ‘Origin’. She previously delivered pivotal performances in ‘When They See Us’. Ellis-Taylor is a frequent presence in literary adaptations and historical dramas. She supports educational and community-based arts programs alongside screen work.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris garnered major accolades for ‘Moonlight’ and is widely known for her role in the Bond franchise. She selects a mix of thrillers, dramas, and socially engaged films. Harris collaborates with acclaimed directors across British and international projects. She is involved in environmental and health advocacy.

Storm Reid

Storm Reid is a key ensemble player in ‘Euphoria’ and delivered gripping guest work in ‘The Last of Us’. She headlined the screen-life thriller ‘Missing’, showcasing a technology-driven format. Reid appears in youth-focused initiatives and scholarship programs. Her filmography spans sci-fi, horror, and grounded drama.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris leads in ‘WandaVision’ and advanced to a central role in ‘The Marvels’. She added socially conscious horror with ‘Candyman’. Parris trained in classical theatre and brings that foundation to both indie and studio projects. She is developing producing opportunities alongside on-screen performances.

Jodie Turner-Smith

Jodie Turner-Smith expanded her profile with high-visibility roles in ‘Anne Boleyn’, ‘The Last Ship’, and ‘The Acolyte’. She maintains a fashion-forward presence that mirrors eclectic role choices. Turner-Smith continues to appear in independent features that travel well on the festival circuit. Her work often centers complex women navigating power and identity.

DeWanda Wise

DeWanda Wise moved from auteur television in ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ to blockbuster action with ‘Jurassic World Dominion’. She balances studio projects with mid-budget dramas and romantic thrillers. Wise collaborates with filmmakers championing contemporary, character-driven stories. She is active behind the scenes in development and mentorship.

Taylor Russell

Taylor Russell earned major festival recognition for ‘Bones and All’, signaling a leap in international stature. She collaborates with fashion and art projects that complement screen work. Russell’s roles blend intimate dramas with genre experiments. She consistently chooses directors with strong authorial voices.

Nicole Beharie

Nicole Beharie drew acclaim for ‘Miss Juneteenth’, highlighting her ability to anchor nuanced drama. She followed with standout turns in ‘Black Mirror’ and network legal and medical series. Beharie’s choices emphasize understated realism and emotional authenticity. She remains a favorite for filmmakers seeking character-first storytelling.

Andra Day

Andra Day delivered a widely praised portrayal in ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’, earning major awards attention. She brings a musician’s sensibility to film and television. Day’s advocacy includes campaigns for health, education, and civil rights. She continues to develop music and screen projects in parallel.

Wunmi Mosaku

Wunmi Mosaku reached global audiences with ‘Lovecraft Country’ and the acclaimed horror feature ‘His House’. She added impactful roles in ‘We Own This City’ and ‘Loki’. Mosaku’s theatre background supports precise work with morally complex characters. Her projects often interrogate institutions, migration, and justice.

Adjoa Andoh

Adjoa Andoh became widely known to streaming audiences through ‘Bridgerton’. She has directed and adapted classical works, broadening representation in Shakespearean productions. Andoh appears in audio drama and documentary narration. Her cross-medium presence helps bring British theatre traditions to mainstream platforms.

Golda Rosheuvel

Golda Rosheuvel’s regal turn in ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ made her a signature figure of the franchise. She trained in theatre and musical performance, informing on-screen charisma and timing. Rosheuvel supports initiatives for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the arts. Her screen work pairs period opulence with sharp contemporary attitude.

Sonequa Martin-Green

Sonequa Martin-Green led ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ as a franchise-defining captain. She previously built a genre fanbase with ‘The Walking Dead’. Martin-Green engages directly with audiences through global fan conventions. She supports STEM outreach tied to the franchise’s educational partnerships.

Dominique Thorne

Dominique Thorne introduced Riri Williams in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, setting up a cross-platform Marvel journey. She has indie roots with ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. Thorne’s engineering-student hero resonates with younger viewers and STEM programs. She continues collaborating with major studios on character-driven genre stories.

Kiki Layne

Kiki Layne followed her breakout with roles in ‘The Old Guard’, ‘Coming 2 America’, and ‘Don’t Worry Darling’. She moves between action ensembles, high-concept thrillers, and prestige dramas. Layne’s fashion partnerships and festival appearances bolster her international profile. She often works with filmmakers focused on inventive genre storytelling.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg’s recent work spans horror-comedy in ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ and space-fantasy action in ‘The Acolyte’. They contribute as a musician and writer, expanding a multi-hyphenate identity. Stenberg’s projects often center youth perspectives and social themes. They remain a prominent voice in conversations on representation and creative autonomy.

Marsai Martin

Marsai Martin transitioned from ‘Black-ish’ to producing and starring in features and streaming originals like ‘Little’ and ‘Fantasy Football’. She is recognized as one of the youngest executive producers in Hollywood. Martin’s company focuses on family-forward, empowering stories. She partners with brands and nonprofits supporting youth entrepreneurship.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union earned awards attention for ‘The Inspection’ while continuing to star in thrillers and comedies. She co-founded a production company developing inclusive stories across formats. Union’s bestselling books and advocacy for workplace equity extend her cultural reach. She is a fixture at festivals and industry panels on representation and safety.

Nia Long

Nia Long’s 2020s slate includes ensemble drama in ‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’ and contemporary comedies and thrillers like ‘You People’. She has navigated both streaming and theatrical releases. Long’s career bridges classic romantic comedies and modern limited series. She mentors emerging talent and supports film-education initiatives.

Share your picks and the performances that defined this era in the comments!