30 TV Shows That Race-Swapped White Characters With Black Actors and Won

TV casting is changing. Directors are now looking for the best actors, regardless of whether they fit traditional character descriptions. This has resulted in incredible performances by Black actors taking on roles that were originally intended for white actors. These casting choices often add new layers to well-known stories and create more diverse representation on television. The following shows are examples of how embracing this kind of diversity can lead to both critical success and enthusiastic viewers.

‘Bridgerton’ (2020– )

I was completely captivated by Simon, the Duke of Hastings, in the first season! Seeing him begin a pretend relationship with Daphne Bridgerton that blossomed into something real was just magical. Regé-Jean Page brought such a smooth, charming energy to the role – it was different from how I pictured him when I read the books, but honestly, it was even better! He quickly became a total sensation, and his performance really raised the bar for the whole series. I especially loved how the show used his casting to cleverly explore issues of race and class within that beautiful Regency world.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

Iris West is a journalist who provides emotional support for Barry Allen throughout the show. While originally portrayed as white in DC Comics, Candice Patton played the role, bringing strength and warmth to the character of the determined reporter and Barry’s future wife. The connection between Patton and Grant Gustin was a key element of the series for all nine seasons, and the show updated the classic comic book stories for a modern audience.

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015)

Jack Crawford leads the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit and brings in Will Graham to help catch serial killers. Laurence Fishburne delivers a powerful performance as Crawford, a role often portrayed by white actors in other versions. He brings both strength and a compelling internal struggle to the character, acting as a firm but caring mentor to his troubled team. Fishburne’s performance provides stability and a sense of reality within the show’s often disturbing and dreamlike atmosphere.

‘The Boys’ (2019– )

A-Train is a super-fast member of The Seven, a group of superheroes who are secretly corrupt. While he was originally depicted as white in the comics, Jessie T. Usher plays the character in the show. This version of A-Train faces specific challenges related to his fame and how people see him. The show uses his story to comment on how companies create brands and profit from appearing diverse. Jessie T. Usher’s performance effectively portrays a character who is both boastful and secretly insecure.

‘Interview with the Vampire’ (2022– )

This gothic horror series tells the life story of Louis de Pointe du Lac, a vampire, as he recounts it to a journalist. The show offers a new take on the character from Anne Rice’s novel, reimagining him as a Black Creole man in New Orleans during the early 1900s. Jacob Anderson powerfully portrays the character’s sadness and thoughtful nature. This change adds compelling layers of racial complexity to his relationship with Lestat, and the series has been widely praised for its innovative and culturally vibrant approach to the original story.

‘Foundation’ (2021– )

Salvor Hardin is the leader of Terminus, responsible for defending the colony from danger. Originally portrayed as a white man in Isaac Asimov’s novels, the character is now played by Leah Harvey, who brings a compelling blend of strength and inquisitiveness to the role. This new version of the story emphasizes exciting action and the personal journeys of the characters, all while staying true to the epic scope of the original books. The casting choice adds a fresh, contemporary feel to the show’s sprawling narrative.

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022– )

Corlys Velaryon commands the strongest navy in Westeros and comes from a historically important and noble family. Traditionally, people of Valyrian descent are depicted with fair skin and silver hair. Actor Steve Toussaint brilliantly portrays Velaryon, nicknamed the Sea Snake, as a powerful and driven political figure. The creative choice to portray House Velaryon as Black adds depth and nuance to the Targaryen family’s story. Toussaint’s performance is consistently one of the most captivating in the series.

‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)

Guinevere’s story begins with her serving Morgana, but she ultimately becomes Queen of Camelot. Actress Angel Coulby portrays this iconic character and wins the heart of Prince Arthur. Unlike traditional depictions in art and other stories, Coulby’s Guinevere wasn’t portrayed with fair skin. She brought a realistic and kind quality to the role. The show successfully updated the classic Arthurian tales to appeal to a wide range of viewers.

‘True Blood’ (2008–2014)

As a big fan of the Southern Vampire Mysteries, I always loved Tara Thornton. She’s Sookie’s best friend and constantly gets pulled into all the supernatural craziness. It’s interesting – the Tara in the books was originally written as a white character, but Rutina Wesley absolutely owned the role. She brought this incredible mix of sass and unwavering loyalty to Tara that really resonated with viewers. Honestly, the showrunners clearly saw how amazing Wesley was, because they expanded Tara’s storyline significantly from the books! Her performance was just so intense and emotionally raw; the show wouldn’t have been the same without her.

‘Preacher’ (2016–2019)

Tulip O’Hare is a passionate and unpredictable sharpshooter with a history with the main character, Jesse Custer. Actress Ruth Negga portrays Tulip, a character originally depicted as a white blonde in the comics. Negga infuses the role with a raw, energetic quality and a deep emotional core, setting the mood for the series. Her strong connection with the other actors is central to the show’s journey. Critics have consistently lauded Negga for transforming what could have been a stereotypical character into a fully realized and compelling person.

‘Marvel’s Daredevil’ (2015–2018)

Ben Urich is an investigative journalist who uncovers corruption in Hell’s Kitchen. Actor Vondie Curtis-Hall plays Urich, a role that was originally portrayed as white in the Marvel comics. Curtis-Hall brings a sense of tired honesty and fatherly care to the character, helping to make the superhero story feel more realistic and grounded in crime drama. His relationship with Karen Page and his guidance of her is a key emotional storyline in the first season.

‘Invincible’ (2021– )

Amber Bennett is a high school student and Mark Grayson’s first girlfriend. For the animated series, the character was reimagined as a Black teenager, a change from the original comics. Zazie Beetz voices Amber, portraying her as smart and self-reliant. This version of the character independently discovers Mark’s secret and insists on him being truthful with her, giving her more complexity and independence than she had in the comics.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

James Olsen is a photographer and art director who supports the main character as she adapts to her new life. Actor Mehcad Brooks plays Olsen, a character traditionally portrayed as the young, white Jimmy Olsen from Superman stories. However, this version of Olsen is presented as a self-assured and accomplished professional, not an inexperienced reporter. Brooks portrays him with a sophisticated charm that complements the show’s romantic elements. Later in the series, the character evolves into the vigilante known as Guardian, establishing a unique identity for himself.

‘Lost in Space’ (2018–2021)

I’m really impressed with Judy Robinson in this new series! She’s the family doctor and a total key player in keeping everyone alive. It’s so cool that Taylor Russell plays her – it’s a fresh take on the character from the original show, which had a white Judy. They actually explain her backstory through her mom, Maureen’s, previous marriage, which adds a lot of depth. Taylor Russell really nails the role, showing Judy as both brave and incredibly smart. And honestly, I love how the family feels so modern and diverse – it feels like a much more realistic vision of who would be traveling to the stars.

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ (2018–2020)

Ambrose Spellman, Sabrina’s warlock cousin, is confined to the mortuary as part of his house arrest. The character, played by Chance Perdomo, is a fresh take on the comic book version, which originally depicted him as an older white man. This younger Ambrose acts as a close friend and accomplice to Sabrina. Chance Perdomo’s portrayal brought a fun, intriguing quality to the role that viewers loved, making Ambrose a memorable part of the show’s dark and dramatic story.

‘The Sandman’ (2022– )

Death is a central figure in the story, acting as a gentle guide for souls transitioning to the afterlife. Actress Kirby Howell-Baptiste plays this role, bringing to life the character originally depicted as a pale, goth-style young woman in the comics. Her portrayal emphasizes Death’s inherent warmth and kindness, making her a fan favorite. Many viewers consider the episode where she accompanies Dream to be one of the season’s best, and Howell-Baptiste perfectly captures the character’s essence, regardless of how she looks.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

I just finished watching this film and I’m really impressed. It centers around Rob, a record store owner who uses music and pop culture to talk about his past relationships – it’s a really clever way to tell the story. What’s especially cool is that Zoë Kravitz plays the lead – the character was originally a white guy in the book and earlier movie adaptation. She absolutely nails it, bringing this effortlessly cool and bohemian energy to the role of a seriously obsessive music fan. Honestly, changing the character’s gender and race opens up a whole new angle on dating and relationships in New York. Everyone’s been raving about Kravitz’s performance, and for good reason – she manages to make what could have been a really cynical character surprisingly likeable and relatable.

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Hooded Justice is presented as the original masked superhero in this alternate reality. The show reveals he was actually Will Reeves, a Black man, portrayed by Louis Gossett Jr. and Jovan Adepo. This discovery dramatically changes how the history of superheroes is understood within the story, showing it stemmed from a response to racial injustice. The reveal gives the sequel series a much deeper meaning, and both actors were praised for their powerful performances depicting the character’s struggles and strength.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

Pete Ross is Clark Kent’s close friend from high school in Kansas. The role, traditionally a white redhead in the Superman comics, is now played by Sam Jones III. Pete is a trusted friend who helps Clark keep his powers a secret. This casting choice added diversity to the show and gave a more modern feel to the small-town setting. Jones’s performance brought a realistic quality that complemented the show’s more fantastical elements, especially in the beginning.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

Allison Hargreeves has the ability to change reality when she lies, and she uses this power to become famous. Actress Emmy Raver-Lampman plays Allison, a character who was originally depicted as white in the comic books. In the show’s second season, her story focuses on the struggles of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Raver-Lampman gives a compelling performance, showing how Allison’s abilities connect with who she is as a person. The show uses her character to address important social issues that weren’t present in the original comics.

‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022)

Bob Stookey is a new addition to the group, portrayed by Lawrence Gilliard Jr. He’s a former army medic haunted by his experiences. Unlike the comic book version, which featured an older white man, this Bob offers a hopeful and thoughtful perspective in the harsh world around them. His connection with Sasha became a key emotional storyline, and Gilliard’s performance made Bob a truly memorable and likable character.

‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ (2017–2019)

Mr. Poe is in charge of the Baudelaire children’s money, but repeatedly puts them in harm’s way. Actor K. Todd Freeman plays him as a clueless banker – a comedic take compared to the character’s dark nature in the original book illustrations. Freeman’s performance highlights how adults fail the children, and his casting fits the show’s unique, dreamlike style.

‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ (2023– )

Annabeth Chase, a skilled strategist and daughter of the goddess Athena, is a key character for the young heroes in the series. Actress Leah Sava Jeffries portrays Annabeth, a character originally described as white and blonde in the books. The author supported Jeffries’ casting, believing she embodies Annabeth’s intelligence and spirit. Jeffries delivers a witty and powerful performance. The series has been well-received and renewed, earning praise for staying true to the source material while updating it for a modern audience.

‘Shadowhunters’ (2016–2019)

Luke Garroway is a powerful werewolf who acts as a mentor and father figure to Clary Fray. Actor Isaiah Mustafa portrays this former Shadowhunter, a character reimagined from the books with a fresh perspective. Mustafa brings a sense of strength and wisdom to the role, playing a protective detective who offers emotional support to the main characters. The show smartly updated the character to better reflect its diverse and modern fantasy world.

‘The Equalizer’ (2021– )

Robyn McCall, played by Queen Latifah, is a skilled problem-solver who helps people when no one else will. This new series updates the original 1980s show, previously starring Edward Woodward, by portraying McCall as a strong Black woman juggling the demands of family and high-stakes missions. Latifah delivers a charismatic and powerful performance, and the show’s popularity has cemented her position as a leading action star.

‘Doctor Who’ (2005– )

The Doctor, now played by Ncuti Gatwa, journeys through time and space in the TARDIS, working to protect different worlds. Gatwa is the first Black actor to become the lead in this long-running British series, and he brings a lot of energy and a modern look to the role. He’s already winning praise for his natural charm and strong presence on screen, making this a landmark moment for the show after sixty years.

‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023)

Josie McCoy is the leader of the band Josie and the Pussycats and dreams of making it big in the music industry. Actress Ashleigh Murray plays Josie, a character reimagined from the original Archie comics. This new version of Josie is more focused and determined, and she also deals with the challenges of having a mother in politics. Murray’s musical performances quickly became a highlight of the show, adding depth to Josie’s story with themes of ambition and family life.

‘Titans’ (2018–2023)

Starfire, whose real name is Koriand’r, is an alien princess with the power to project energy. Actress Anna Diop portrays her, and while the comic book version has orange skin, Diop often appears with more European features. Though some fans initially reacted negatively, Diop’s strong and dignified performance ultimately won them over. The show delves into Starfire’s background as an alien and her role as a leader, allowing her to develop into a strong, influential figure.

‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)

Amenadiel, the oldest of the angels and brother to the main character, begins the series trying to send him back to Hell. Played by D.B. Woodside, who originally appeared as a white character in the comic books that inspired the show, Amenadiel is portrayed with a serious and dignified presence that gradually softens into genuine brotherly love. His transformation from enemy to a fatherly figure is one of the most compelling storylines in the series, and his strong on-screen connection with Tom Ellis was crucial to the show’s success.

‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021– )

Perrin Aybara is a blacksmith who finds out he’s connected to wolves and can enter the dream world. Actor Marcus Rutherford plays Perrin, one of the main characters from the Two Rivers village. The show’s casting is more diverse than the book’s original cover art suggested. Rutherford brilliantly portrays Perrin as a kind, strong character struggling with inner turmoil. His powerful presence and quiet strength are central to the group’s adventures.

Share your favorite example from this list in the comments.

2025-12-07 23:18