Black Actors Who Deserve More Leading Roles

Today’s movies are increasingly led by actors who can handle any genre, from period pieces to action films. Many Black male actors have found success and critical praise, but a lot of incredibly talented ones are still mostly seen in supporting roles or as part of an ensemble cast. These actors have proven they have the skill, depth, and star power to lead major films. Giving them more opportunities as leading men would create a more diverse and engaging movie experience for everyone.

Aaron Pierre

Aaron Pierre quickly became known for his impressive work in the 2024 action movie ‘Rebel Ridge’. Before that, he showed his versatility in Barry Jenkins’ series ‘The Underground Railroad’ and voiced the main character in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’. Critics have praised Pierre’s strong presence and focused acting, suggesting he has the potential to be a leading man. He excels at carrying dramatic, suspenseful stories, making him a strong contender for bigger roles in major films.

Aldis Hodge

Aldis Hodge is a well-established actor, best known for playing Alec Hardison on the show ‘Leverage’. He’s consistently impressed audiences with roles in films like ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘City on a Hill’. In 2022, he joined the superhero world as Hawkman in ‘Black Adam’, earning praise for his strong presence and physical performance. While he’s appeared in many projects, Hodge often plays supporting characters and consistently makes those scenes better.

Algee Smith

Algee Smith first gained recognition for his powerful role in the 2017 film ‘Detroit’. He continued to build his career with notable appearances in ‘The Hate U Give’ and the HBO series ‘Euphoria’. Smith is especially skilled at playing young men who are dealing with difficult social issues. His leading role in the thriller ‘Mother/Android’ demonstrated his ability to carry an entire movie.

André Holland

André Holland is known for his subtle yet impactful acting, particularly for his role as Kevin in the acclaimed film ‘Moonlight’. He’s also appeared in the historical medical drama ‘The Knick’ and played the lead in Steven Soderbergh’s sports drama ‘High Flying Bird’. Holland consistently delivers performances that are both thoughtful and emotionally nuanced. Despite working with many renowned directors, he deserves more leading roles to truly showcase his talent.

Ashton Sanders

Ashton Sanders truly broke out with his powerful performance as a young Chiron in the 2016 film ‘Moonlight’. Since then, he’s shown his range by appearing in projects like ‘The Equalizer 2’ and the 2019 remake of ‘Native Son’. He also played a leading role as Bobby Diggs in the series ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’, proving he can carry a complex, extended story. Sanders has a captivating quality on screen, balancing a sense of fragility with a hidden power.

Bokeem Woodbine

Bokeem Woodbine has been a familiar face in movies and TV since the 1990s, frequently delivering strong performances in supporting roles. He gained significant praise – and an Emmy nomination – for his work as Mike Milligan in season two of ‘Fargo’. He’s also been in popular films like ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’. With a knack for captivating audiences and bringing depth to his characters, many believe Woodbine deserves to take on a leading role in a prominent drama.

Brian Tyree Henry

I’ve been consistently impressed with Brian Tyree Henry. Most people probably first discovered him as the brilliantly understated Alfred ‘Paper Boi’ Miles in ‘Atlanta’, but he’s quickly proven he’s so much more than that character. He even landed an Oscar nomination for ‘Causeway’ alongside Jennifer Lawrence, which was well-deserved. What really strikes me is his versatility – he’s comfortable in everything from massive superhero films like ‘Eternals’ to the fast-paced fun of ‘Bullet Train’. He has this incredible knack for making even the most outlandish stories feel deeply human, and that’s what makes him one of the most captivating actors around right now.

Caleb McLaughlin

Caleb McLaughlin is famous for playing Lucas Sinclair in the hit show ‘Stranger Things.’ He showed he could handle more serious acting roles in the 2020 film ‘Concrete Cowboy,’ where he acted with Idris Elba. McLaughlin has proven he’s grown beyond being just a child actor and has the emotional depth for complex characters. He’s a promising actor who could easily lead dramas that focus on character development.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo is a highly respected actor known for his ability to play a wide range of roles in films and television shows like ‘Lincoln’ and ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. In 2023, he achieved a major breakthrough with a leading role in the film ‘Rustin’, earning an Oscar nomination. He continued this momentum with a critically acclaimed performance in the prison drama ‘Sing Sing’. Domingo’s strong stage training and natural charisma allow him to excel in any type of movie.

Corey Hawkins

Corey Hawkins first became widely known for his excellent performance as Dr. Dre in the 2015 film ‘Straight Outta Compton’. Since then, he’s demonstrated his range as an actor in the musical ‘In the Heights’ and the dramatic film ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’. He also starred in the action-packed series ’24: Legacy’, showing he can lead a major franchise. His training at the prestigious Juilliard school is clear in the careful and impactful way he approaches each character.

Damson Idris

Damson Idris is best known for playing Franklin Saint in the popular TV series ‘Snowfall’. His performance has been highly praised and earned him award nominations, making him a rising star in the US. He’s also appeared in films, like the action movie ‘Outside the Wire’. Idris has the natural talent and strong presence to become a leading actor in big-budget films.

Daveed Diggs

Daveed Diggs first became famous for his award-winning performance in the Broadway hit ‘Hamilton’, where he played two roles. He then moved to film and television, writing and starring in ‘Blindspotting’, which later became a TV series. He also played a leading role in several seasons of the series ‘Snowpiercer’. Because he’s both a writer and performer, Diggs brings a special and insightful approach to every character he plays.

Jacob Latimore

I’ve been following Jacob Latimore’s career for a while now, and it’s been amazing to watch him grow! He actually started out as a singer, but quickly proved he had serious acting chops with films like ‘Black Nativity’ and ‘Sleight’. Most people probably recognize him as Emmett Washington from ‘The Chi’, and he’s just so good at portraying really complicated characters – dealing with everything from being a father to getting caught up in crime, and all the personal struggles that come with it. He just has this natural charisma and consistently delivers strong performances, which is why I think he’s perfectly suited to lead any movie.

Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope achieved a remarkable feat by earning Tony Award nominations in two different acting categories in the same year. He then successfully moved into television, appearing in leading roles in Ryan Murphy’s ‘Hollywood’ and the final season of ‘Pose’. In 2022, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in the military drama ‘The Inspection’. Pope is known for his ability to powerfully portray inner turmoil with very few words.

Jharrel Jerome

Jharrel Jerome first became well-known for his role in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Moonlight,’ and later won an Emmy for his work in ‘When They See Us.’ He recently demonstrated his versatility by playing a uniquely challenging role – a thirteen-foot-tall man – in the quirky and dramatic series ‘I’m a Virgo.’ Critics often praise Jerome for the deep emotions and physical dedication he brings to his performances. Even early in his career, he’s shown he can confidently lead high-profile, critically acclaimed projects.

John Boyega

John Boyega first gained worldwide recognition playing Finn in the newer ‘Star Wars’ films, beginning with ‘The Force Awakens’. Since then, he’s been choosing projects that may be smaller in scale but still pack a punch, like ‘Small Axe: Red, White and Blue’ and the thriller ‘Breaking’. He also impressed audiences with his work in the historical film ‘The Woman King’. Because he’s not afraid to speak his mind and prioritizes meaningful roles, Boyega seems poised to continue taking on important leading parts in the future.

Jovan Adepo

Jovan Adepo first gained recognition in the movie ‘Fences’ and went on to star in the action-horror film ‘Overlord’. He earned an Emmy nomination for his performance as Will Reeves in the HBO series ‘Watchmen’. Adepo was also part of the large cast of ‘Babylon’, portraying a jazz musician during the transition to talking pictures. His talent and ability to perform alongside experienced actors make him a promising lead for future projects.

Justice Smith

Justice Smith has been a key player in major projects like ‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ and ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’. He also starred as the lead in the series ‘The Get Down’ and appeared in the 2024 film ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’. Smith is known for bringing a down-to-earth quality to his characters, making him popular with younger viewers. His work in both big-budget films and smaller, more dramatic projects gives him a strong and versatile skillset for taking on leading roles in the future.

Kelvin Harrison, Jr.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. is widely considered one of the most promising actors working today. He first gained attention for his powerful performances in the independent films ‘Luce’ and ‘Waves’, both released in 2019. Since then, he’s taken on challenging historical roles in films like ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ and ‘Chevalier’. Harrison Jr. is celebrated for his dedication to his craft, often completely changing his appearance and voice to fully embody a character.

Kingsley Ben-Adir

Kingsley Ben-Adir is known for bringing famous historical figures to life, as he did with Malcolm X in ‘One Night in Miami…’ and Bob Marley in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’. He’s also played a memorable villain in the Marvel series ‘Secret Invasion’. Ben-Adir has a naturally commanding presence on screen and is very dedicated to understanding the characters he plays. His strong performances in biographical films show he has the star power to lead a big movie.

Lakeith Stanfield

Lakeith Stanfield is a celebrated actor known for his captivating and emotional performances in shows like ‘Atlanta’ and films like ‘Sorry to Bother You’. He earned an Oscar nomination for his work in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and recently starred in the comedic biblical epic ‘The Book of Clarence’. Throughout his career, Stanfield has consistently chosen challenging and original roles, establishing himself as a distinctive and compelling lead actor.

Leslie Odom Jr.

Leslie Odom Jr. is a talented actor and musician who first became widely known for playing Aaron Burr in the original ‘Hamilton’ production. He’s received Oscar nominations for his performance in ‘One Night in Miami…’, a film where he also contributed to the music. Beyond that, he’s been part of popular films like ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’. Odom Jr.’s skill as both an actor and a musician makes him a uniquely versatile performer in today’s film industry.

Mamoudou Athie

Mamoudou Athie is known for his understated yet powerful performances in films like ‘Patti Cake$’ and ‘The Front Runner’. He’s starred in the Netflix series ‘Archive 81’ and voiced the main character in Pixar’s ‘Elemental’. Athie also had a role in the blockbuster ‘Jurassic World Dominion’, proving he can thrive in large-scale productions. With a growing body of work, he’s poised to take on even more leading roles.

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa first gained widespread recognition for his memorable role as Eric Effiong in the Netflix hit ‘Sex Education’. He’s recently become known worldwide as the Fifteenth Doctor in the classic British show ‘Doctor Who’, and also appeared as Ken in the hugely popular ‘Barbie’ movie. Critics and viewers love his energetic, funny, and expressive performances.

Shamier Anderson

Shamier Anderson is a Canadian actor quickly becoming a familiar face in Hollywood, with appearances in films like ‘Stowaway’ and the series ‘Invasion’. He recently gained significant attention for his role as the Tracker in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’, performing all his own stunts and sharing the screen with Keanu Reeves. His athleticism and strong presence make him well-suited for action films. Beyond acting, Anderson is also dedicated to supporting Black talent in Canada as a co-founder of the Black Academy.

Stephan James

Stephan James is a talented actor known for his roles in films like ‘Race’, where he played Jesse Owens, and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. He also powerfully led the first season of the series ‘Homecoming’ alongside Julia Roberts. James has the look and presence of a classic movie star, consistently bringing a sense of respect and seriousness to his characters. With a history of impressive work in well-regarded projects, he’s an actor poised for even greater leading roles.

Trevante Rhodes

Trevante Rhodes quickly became well-known for his performance as the adult Chiron in the acclaimed film ‘Moonlight’. He’s since appeared in popular movies like ‘Bird Box’ and starred as a complicated father in the 2022 drama ‘Bruiser’. Rhodes is celebrated for his impressive physical presence and his ability to express deep emotion with just a look. Many describe him as captivating on screen, making him perfect for challenging and dramatic roles.

William Jackson Harper

William Jackson Harper first gained recognition for his funny and thoughtful portrayal of Chidi Anagonye on ‘The Good Place’. Since that show ended, he’s starred in ‘Love Life’ and the mystery-comedy series ‘The Resort’. He’s also been praised for his work in the independent film ‘We 45’ and the series ‘The Underground Railroad’. Harper is a compelling leading actor because he skillfully combines anxious humor with heartfelt emotion, making him someone audiences can easily connect with.

Winston Duke

Winston Duke quickly became known for his impressive performance as M’Baku in ‘Black Panther’. He’s since shown his versatility by taking on two roles in Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ and starring in the thought-provoking film ‘Nine Days’. Duke commands attention on screen with his stature and strong voice, but he also brings a subtle softness to his characters. He’s a rare actor who can move effortlessly between big-budget science fiction and more intimate, character-driven stories.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II quickly rose to prominence after winning an Emmy for his work on ‘Watchmen’ and has become a highly sought-after actor. He’s appeared in major films like ‘Aquaman’ and ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7,’ and even took on the iconic role of Morpheus in ‘The Matrix Resurrections.’ In 2022, he starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the action-packed ‘Ambulance.’ Known for his range and dedication to his performances, he’s become a leading man in both TV and movies.

We’d love to hear who you think should be the next big leading man! Tell us in the comments which Black male actors you’d like to see starring in more major films, and why you think they deserve the opportunity.

2026-01-31 18:24