The Absolute Best African-American Actresses of the Past Five Years
The landscape of modern cinema and television has been significantly shaped by the contributions of African-American actresses over the last half-decade. These performers have garnered prestigious awards, broken box office records, and expanded representation across various genres. From seasoned veterans achieving career milestones to emerging talents making their mark in streaming and film, their work reflects a broad range of storytelling. The following list highlights fifty actresses whose performances between 2019 and 2024 have defined the current era of entertainment.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis achieved EGOT status in 2023 after winning a Grammy for her audiobook narration. She starred as General Nanisca in the 2022 historical epic ‘The Woman King’, which required several months of intensive physical training. Her portrayal of the legendary blues singer in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ earned her a fourth Academy Award nomination. Davis also continued her portrayal of Amanda Waller in the DC Extended Universe, appearing in both ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘Peacemaker’.
Regina King
Regina King transitioned into a powerhouse director while maintaining a successful acting career over the last five years. She won an Academy Award for her performance in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and followed it with an Emmy-winning turn in the limited series ‘Watchmen’. In 2021, she portrayed the historical figure Trudy Smith in the Western film ‘The Harder They Fall’. King also directed the critically acclaimed film ‘One Night in Miami…’, which earned multiple award nominations.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett made history in 2023 by becoming the first actor from a Marvel Studios film to receive an Academy Award nomination for her role in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She received an Honorary Academy Award in 2024 to recognize her decades-long contribution to the film industry. Bassett currently stars in and executive produces the procedural drama series ‘9-1-1’. Her voice work also featured prominently in the 2024 animated film ‘Orion and the Dark’.
Danielle Brooks
Danielle Brooks received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Sofia in the 2023 musical adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’. She previously played the same role on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for her performance. Brooks also starred in the DC series ‘Peacemaker’ as Leota Adebayo, a central character in the first season. She concluded her long-running role as Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ in 2019.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2024 for her role in ‘The Holdovers’. Her performance as Mary Lamb, a grieving mother and school cook, swept the major televised award ceremonies during the 2023-2024 season. Randolph also holds a recurring role as Detective Williams in the comedy-mystery series ‘Only Murders in the Building’. She previously appeared in ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ and the series ‘High Fidelity’.
Quinta Brunson
Quinta Brunson created, writes, and stars in the mockumentary sitcom ‘Abbott Elementary’, which premiered in 2021. She has won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for the series, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Brunson portrayed Janine Teagues, an optimistic second-grade teacher in an underfunded Philadelphia school. In 2022, she also appeared as Oprah Winfrey in the biographical parody film ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’.
Zendaya
Zendaya became the youngest two-time winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in ‘Euphoria’. She starred as Chani in the 2021 film ‘Dune’ and its 2024 sequel ‘Dune: Part Two’. In 2024, she led the sports drama ‘Challengers’, portraying a tennis prodigy turned coach. Zendaya also reprised her role as MJ in the high-grossing 2021 film ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’.
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o delivered a dual performance in the 2019 horror film ‘Us’, playing both the protagonist Adelaide Wilson and her antagonist tethered. She reprised her role as Nakia in the 2022 sequel ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. Nyong’o also served as the lead in the 2024 prequel ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’. Beyond acting, she executive produced and narrated the documentary series ‘Serengeti’.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2022 for her portrayal of Barbara Howard in the sitcom ‘Abbott Elementary’. This win marked her first Emmy after several decades in the entertainment industry. She appeared in the 2023 film ‘The Young Wife’ and provided voice work for the series ‘The Braxtons’. Ralph also performed at the 2023 Super Bowl, delivering a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Issa Rae
Issa Rae concluded her critically acclaimed HBO series ‘Insecure’ in 2021, which she co-created and starred in. She appeared as President Barbie in the 2023 blockbuster film ‘Barbie’, which became the highest-grossing film of that year. Rae also voiced Jessica Drew, a pregnant Spider-Woman, in the 2023 animated hit ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’. She currently produces several projects through her production company, Hoorae Media.
Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer starred as Emerald Haywood in Jordan Peele’s 2022 science fiction horror film ‘Nope’. Her performance earned her the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress. She voiced the character Izzy Hawthorne in the 2022 Pixar film ‘Lightyear’. Palmer also won a Primetime Emmy in 2023 for her work as a host on the series ‘Password’.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor transitioned into leading dramatic roles with her performance in the 2023 film ‘A Thousand and One’. She portrayed Inez de la Paz, a mother who kidnaps her son out of the foster care system in 1990s New York. Her work in the film earned several nominations from independent film organizations and critics’ groups. Taylor also appeared in the 2021 comedy ‘Coming 2 America’ and the 2023 remake of ‘White Men Can’t Jump’.
Dominique Fishback
Dominique Fishback received a Primetime Emmy nomination for her lead role in the 2023 psychological horror series ‘Swarm’. She starred alongside Daniel Kaluuya in the 2021 biographical drama ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. Fishback played a major role in the 2023 blockbuster ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ as Elena Wallace. She also appeared in the 2020 Netflix film ‘Project Power’ alongside Jamie Foxx.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Oracene Price in ‘King Richard’. She starred as Isabel Wilkerson in the 2023 biographical drama ‘Origin’, directed by Ava DuVernay. Her television work includes a prominent role in the 2020 series ‘Lovecraft Country’, which earned her an Emmy nomination. She also appeared in the 2023 musical film ‘The Color Purple’ as Mama.
Niecy Nash-Betts
Niecy Nash-Betts won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2024 for her performance in ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’. She portrayed Glenda Cleveland, a neighbor who repeatedly alerted authorities to the serial killer’s activities. Nash-Betts starred in the police procedural spin-off ‘The Rookie: Feds’ as Simone Clark. She also appeared in the 2023 film ‘Origin’ and the 2020 film ‘Uncorked’.
Halle Bailey
Halle Bailey portrayed Ariel in the 2023 live-action reimagining of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’. The role marked her transition from music to major film stardom and received significant media attention. She also starred as the younger version of Nettie in the 2023 musical film ‘The Color Purple’. Bailey continues to balance her acting career with her work as one half of the musical duo Chloe x Halle.
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe starred in the 2022 mystery film ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’, playing a dual role that served as the film’s emotional core. She played the lead role in the 2020 psychological thriller ‘Antebellum’. Monáe also appeared in the 2019 biographical film ‘Harriet’, portraying Marie Buchanon. In 2020, she took over a lead role in the second season of the Amazon Prime series ‘Homecoming’.
Thuso Mbedu
Thuso Mbedu made her American debut as the lead in the 2021 limited series ‘The Underground Railroad’. Her performance as Cora Randall earned her an Independent Spirit Award and a Gotham Award. She starred alongside Viola Davis in the 2022 historical action film ‘The Woman King’. Mbedu is also involved in writing, having co-authored a comic book for the ‘Tales of Syzpense’ anthology.
Lashana Lynch
Lashana Lynch portrayed Nomi, the new 007, in the 2021 James Bond film ‘No Time to Die’. She played Miss Honey in the 2022 musical film ‘Matilda the Musical’. Lynch also appeared as Izogie in ‘The Woman King’ and portrayed Maria Rambeau in ‘Captain Marvel’ and ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’. In 2024, she starred in the biographical film ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ as Rita Marley.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo earned two Academy Award nominations in 2020 for her lead role in ‘Harriet’ and for the film’s original song. She portrayed Aretha Franklin in the 2021 anthology series ‘Genius: Aretha’, receiving an Emmy nomination. Erivo starred as the Blue Fairy in the 2022 live-action ‘Pinocchio’. She was cast as Elphaba in the two-part film adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked’, with the first part scheduled for late 2024.
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson reprised her role as Valkyrie in the 2022 Marvel film ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’. She starred in the 2021 drama ‘Passing’, a film shot in black and white that explored racial identity in the 1920s. Thompson continued her lead role as Charlotte Hale in the HBO series ‘Westworld’ until its conclusion. She also returned as Bianca in the 2023 sports drama ‘Creed III’.
Zazie Beetz
Zazie Beetz portrayed Sophie Dumond in the 2019 psychological thriller ‘Joker’ and returned for its 2024 sequel. She appeared in the 2021 Western ‘The Harder They Fall’ as Stagecoach Mary. Beetz provided the voice for Amber Bennett in the animated superhero series ‘Invincible’. She also starred in the “Mazey Day” episode of the 2023 season of ‘Black Mirror’.
Regina Hall
Regina Hall starred in the 2022 satirical comedy ‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.’, playing the first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch. she appeared in the 2019 film ‘Little’ and the 2022 comedy ‘Me Time’. Hall also held a lead role in the series ‘Black Monday’ from 2019 to 2021. In 2022, she served as one of the hosts for the 94th Academy Awards.
Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer starred in the Apple TV+ drama series ‘Truth Be Told’, which ran for three seasons starting in 2019. She portrayed Madam C.J. Walker in the 2020 limited series ‘Self Made’, earning an Emmy nomination for the role. Spencer appeared in the 2020 remake of ‘The Witches’ and the 2021 superhero comedy ‘Thunder Force’. In 2022, she starred in the holiday musical ‘Spirited’ alongside Will Ferrell.
Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson portrayed Shug Avery in the 2023 musical adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’. She concluded her iconic role as Cookie Lyon in the drama series ‘Empire’ in 2020. Henson also appeared in the 2020 film ‘Coffee & Kareem’ and voiced characters in ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ and ‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’. In 2021, she played Miss Hannigan in the television special ‘Annie Live!’.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington starred in and executive produced the 2020 Hulu limited series ‘Little Fires Everywhere’. She appeared in the 2020 film adaptation of the Broadway musical ‘The Prom’. Washington currently stars in the comedy series ‘Unprisoned’, which premiered in 2023. She also directed several television episodes for shows like ‘Insecure’ and ‘Reasonable Doubt’.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross concluded her eight-season run as Rainbow Johnson on the sitcom ‘black-ish’ in 2022. She starred as a superstar singer in the 2020 musical drama ‘The High Note’. Ross also provided the lead voice for the 2024 animated series ‘Jodie’, a spin-off of ‘Daria’. She remains active as an executive producer on various projects, including the documentary ‘The Hair Tales’.
Ruth Negga
Ruth Negga received critical acclaim and several award nominations for her role as Clare Bellew in the 2021 film ‘Passing’. She starred in the 2019 science fiction film ‘Ad Astra’ alongside Brad Pitt. Negga made her Broadway debut in 2022 playing Lady Macbeth, which earned her a Tony Award nomination. She also appeared in the 2023 film ‘Good Grief’ on Netflix.
Letitia Wright
Letitia Wright took on the lead role of Shuri in the 2022 film ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She starred in the 2020 ‘Small Axe’ anthology episode ‘Mangrove’, directed by Steve McQueen. Wright led the 2022 biographical drama ‘The Silent Twins’, which she also produced. In 2023, she starred in the Western film ‘Surrounded’ as a former Buffalo Soldier.
Danai Gurira
Danai Gurira reprised her role as Okoye in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ and the ‘What If…?’ animated series. She returned to her iconic role as Michonne in the 2024 limited series ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’. Gurira also continues her work as an accomplished playwright, with her play ‘Richard III’ staged in New York in 2022. She is recognized for her advocacy for women’s rights and the arts in Africa.
Storm Reid
Storm Reid won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2023 for her guest role as Riley Abel in ‘The Last of Us’. She has been a series regular on ‘Euphoria’ since 2019, playing Gia Bennett. Reid starred in the 2023 thriller ‘Missing’, which utilized a “screenlife” filmmaking style. She also appeared in the 2021 film ‘The Suicide Squad’ and the 2023 horror film ‘The Nun II’.
Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin starred in and executive produced the 2019 film ‘Little’, making her the youngest person ever to produce a major Hollywood film. She continued her role as Diane Johnson on ‘black-ish’ until the series ended in 2022. Martin provided voice work for ‘PAW Patrol: The Movie’ and its 2023 sequel. She currently produces and stars in the series ‘Saturdays’ on Disney Channel.
Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi headlined the ‘black-ish’ spin-off ‘grown-ish’, which concluded its six-season run in 2024. She portrayed Tinker Bell in the 2023 live-action film ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’. Shahidi starred in the 2019 romantic drama ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’. She also appeared in the 2023 anthology series ‘Extrapolations’ on Apple TV+.
Erika Alexander
Erika Alexander experienced a career resurgence with her role in the 2023 Academy Award-winning film ‘American Fiction’. She portrayed Coraline, the love interest of the protagonist played by Jeffrey Wright. Alexander also appeared in the 2023 film ‘Earth Mama’ and the 2022 film ‘Swimming with Sharks’. She has been active in the podcasting space, co-founding Color Farm Media.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson portrayed Aretha Franklin in the 2021 biographical film ‘Respect’, a role for which she was hand-selected by Franklin herself. She won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021 for her work on the interactive media project ‘Baba Yaga’. In 2022, she achieved EGOT status after winning a Tony Award as a producer for ‘A Strange Loop’. She currently hosts her own nationally syndicated talk show, ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’.
Andra Day
Andra Day made her feature film acting debut in 2021 as the lead in ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’. She won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her portrayal of the legendary jazz singer. Day also received an Academy Award nomination for the same role. In 2024, she appeared in the action film ‘The Deliverance’ directed by Lee Daniels.
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino starred as Celie in the 2023 musical film ‘The Color Purple’, reprising the role she played on Broadway. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. This marked her major return to film after focusing on her music career for over a decade. Barrino received praise for her emotional vocal delivery and dramatic depth in the production.
Teyonah Parris
Teyonah Parris joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2021 as Monica Rambeau in the series ‘WandaVision’. She reprised the role in the 2023 film ‘The Marvels’ alongside Brie Larson. Parris also starred in the 2021 horror sequel ‘Candyman’ and the 2023 Netflix film ‘They Cloned Tyrone’. She previously appeared in the 2020 film ‘The Photographs’.
Dominique Thorne
Dominique Thorne was cast as Riri Williams, also known as Ironheart, making her debut in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She is set to lead her own Disney+ series titled ‘Ironheart’. Thorne previously appeared in the 2021 film ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ as Judy Harmon. She also had a role in the 2018 film ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’.
Moses Ingram
Moses Ingram received an Emmy nomination for her role as Jolene in the 2020 limited series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’. She played the primary antagonist, Reva Sevander, in the 2022 series ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’. Ingram appeared in the 2021 film ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ directed by Joel Coen. In 2024, she starred alongside Natalie Portman in the series ‘Lady in the Lake’.
Taylor Russell
Taylor Russell received critical acclaim for her lead role in the 2022 film ‘Bones and All’ alongside Timothée Chalamet. She won the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival for her performance. Russell also starred in the 2019 drama ‘Waves’ and led the ‘Escape Room’ film franchise. In 2023, she made her London stage debut in the play ‘The Effect’.
Xosha Roquemore
Xosha Roquemore appeared in the 2021 film ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ and the 2023 film ‘Family Plan’. She had a recurring role in the series ‘Black Monday’ and appeared in the 2022 film ‘Sherman’s Showcase’. Roquemore was cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film ‘Captain America: Brave New World’. She is also known for her previous long-running role on ‘The Mindy Project’.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
MJ Rodriguez made history in 2022 as the first transgender woman to win a Golden Globe for her role as Blanca Evangelista in ‘Pose’. The series concluded its successful run in 2021, cementing her status as a leading dramatic actress. She currently stars in the Apple TV+ comedy series ‘Loot’ alongside Maya Rudolph. Rodriguez also provided voice work for the 2023 film ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’.
Indya Moore
Indya Moore gained international recognition for their role as Angel Evangelista in the FX series ‘Pose’. They appeared in the 2021 horror film ‘Escape Room: Tournament of Champions’. Moore also voiced the character She-Ra in the 2020 series ‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’. In 2023, they appeared in the superhero film ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ as Karshon.
Uzo Aduba
Uzo Aduba won her third Primetime Emmy Award in 2020 for her portrayal of Shirley Chisholm in ‘Mrs. America’. She starred as Dr. Brooke Taylor in the 2021 revival of the HBO series ‘In Treatment’. Aduba also appeared in the 2023 Netflix limited series ‘Painkiller’ as an investigator. She provided voice work for the 2022 film ‘Lightyear’ as Alisha Hawthorne.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Gugu Mbatha-Raw starred as Ravonna Renslayer in the Disney+ series ‘Loki’ starting in 2021. She led the 2022 psychological thriller series ‘Surface’ and appeared in the 2021 series ‘The Girl Before’. Mbatha-Raw also had a role in the 2019 film ‘Motherless Brooklyn’. In 2024, she starred in the Netflix action-comedy film ‘Lift’.
Sophie Okonedo
Sophie Okonedo appeared in the 2022 film ‘Death on the Nile’ as Salome Otterbourne. She received an Emmy nomination for her guest role in the 2021 series ‘Ratched’. Okonedo also starred in the 2022 film ‘Catherine Called Birdy’ and the 2023 film ‘Heart of Stone’. She maintains a prolific career in British theater, appearing in ‘Medea’ in 2023.
Naomie Harris
Naomie Harris reprised her role as Eve Moneypenny in the 2021 film ‘No Time to Die’. She portrayed the villain Shriek in the 2021 superhero film ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’. Harris starred in the 2022 series ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ as Justin Falls. She also appeared in the 2021 film ‘Swan Song’ alongside Mahershala Ali.
Thandiwe Newton
Thandiwe Newton continued her starring role as Maeve Millay in ‘Westworld’ until 2022, winning an Emmy during the show’s run. She appeared in the 2021 science fiction film ‘Reminiscence’ as Watts. Newton voiced the character Val in the 2018 film ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ and continued voice work in ‘Big Mouth’. In 2022, she starred in the thriller ‘God’s Country’.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union starred in and executive produced the series ‘L.A.’s Finest’ from 2019 to 2020. She received critical praise for her role as Inez French in the 2022 independent drama ‘The Inspection’. Union also appeared in the 2022 Disney+ remake of ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’. In 2023, she starred in the Netflix romantic comedy ‘The Perfect Find’.
Tell us which of these talented performers has had your favorite role in recent years in the comments.
