The entertainment industry is seeing an exciting wave of new, talented Black actresses who are shaping the future of television and film. These rising stars are breaking barriers with their performances, tackling diverse roles, and changing the landscape of Hollywood. It’s truly a beautiful sight to witness, as Hollywood has not always been welcoming to our melanated queens.
Before the 1950s, Black actresses were rarely seen on the big screen, and when they did appear, their roles were often relegated to harmful stereotypes, failing to capture the full breadth of the Black experience. The Civil Rights movement ushered in a new page for Black female stars, where their roles began to expand to include “more diverse” and “complex character development,” according to Duke University Libraries.
While things have slowly improved over time, with Black women increasingly taking on a powerful array of roles for major film projects, there’s still much work to be done to ensure they receive their rightful recognition.
Only 10 Black actresses have ever won an Oscar in the acting categories, the LA Times notes. Halle Berry remains the only Black woman to win Best Actress (for Monster’s Ball in 2002). The other nine have won in the Best Supporting Actress category.
With stars like Danielle Deadwyler, Wunmi Mosaku, and Taylor Russell dominating the big screen in recent years, these rising talents are pushing boundaries and paving the way for our future queens on screen.
Here are seven Black actresses that we are excited to see make waves in the film world.
1. Danielle Deadwyler
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Danielle Deadwyler’s breakout performance in The Harder They Fall (2021) as Cuffee was a showstopper. The 43-year-old’s portrayal of a Black woman in the Old West made her a standout in the star-studded cast.
She also received critical acclaim for her role in Till (2022), where she played Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, and received praise for this year’s chilling horror film The Woman In The Yard.
Deadwyler’s commanding presence and emotional depth make her one of the most exciting actresses on the rise. We think she’s poised for even greater roles in both historical dramas and modern works, and can’t wait to see what she takes on next.
2. Dominique Thorne
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Dominique Thorne, 27, made an unforgettable impression with her breakout role in Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), where she played the role of the compassionate and determined Sheila Hunt.
More recently, she is known for her role as the tech-savvy Riri Williams, the leading star of the wildly popular Disney+ series Ironheart, which debuted in June. The role continues the story of her character introduced in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Thorne’s impressive range as an actress has fans spellbound, a testament to her true devotion to the craft. During an interview with Essence in 2023, the star revealed that she has always wanted to act ever since high school.
“In my mind, wanting to become an actor started when I had to apply to high schools because that’s the first time that I said, “Yes, this is what I want to do,” she explained. “I only want to go to performing arts schools.’ But the more I talk to family, the more they remind me that this has been something that I’ve been interested in since I was a child. Over the holidays, actually, they were reminding me about auditions we used to go on from ads that you’d hear on the radio, back when they still did that. My dad would faithfully drive me to each and every one that we heard. I was probably around nine or 10 at that time, but high school’s when it got serious.”
3. Taylor Russell
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Taylor Russell’s breakout role came with Trey Edward Shults’ Waves (2019), where she starred as a teenage girl navigating the grief of losing a family member. Her sensitive and powerful performance garnered significant praise. She also appeared in the Escape Room series and was a standout in the scary horror film Bones and All (2022), where she starred opposite Timothée Chalamet.
Fans are excited to see what the 31-year-old Canadian actress has in store for a possible third edition of Escape Room, but a release date and production details are murky. Interestingly, an X account called Film Updates alleged on July 21 that the beautiful Hollywood actress had been tapped to star in Frank Ocean’s directorial debut alongside Industry star David Jonsson, but details are unclear.
Here’s what we do know: Russell’s impressive range and emotionally charged performances are driving her toward a promising career. Her roles in both independent films and big-budget projects signal that she is ready for even bigger things.
4. Jayme Lawson
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Jayme Lawson, 27, gained attention for her role in Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel (2021), where she portrayed the character of Princess Isabelle. She has also starred in a variety of stage productions and is a rising star in the theater community. Her presence in film is now growing, with her poised performances marking her as a future leading lady.
Fans are excited to see Lawson shine in The Running Man, which is set to debut on Nov. 7. The film will serve as an adaptation of Stephen King’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name, according to Variety. Lawson will star alongside Glen Powell, Michael Cera, and several other big-named stars.
5. KiKi Layne
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KiKi Layne’s performance in If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) as Tish Rivers was an unforgettable showcase of her talent. She has since appeared in films like The Old Guard (2020) and Coming 2 America (2021), where she further proved her acting range.
The 33-year-old standout recently appeared in The Old Guard 2, continuing to expand her role as the fierce Marine-trained warrior, Nile Freeman. Speaking to MadameNoire at the Netflix Presents Black Excellence Brunch during the American Black Film Festival on June 13, Layne shared how “amazing” it felt to reimagine her role as Nile for the second time. The 33-year-old star said she was honored to bring a fresh and powerful presence to the action genre, a category of film that “hasn’t always centered” Black women. For Layne, The Old Guard 2 is more than just a film; it’s a moment of representation and creative evolution.
“It means everything to me,” the Hollywood standout shared. “I’m always thinking about how we are being seen and how I am representing us in every project that I do. To be the lead of an action film, and to do that alongside Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman, these women who have kicked down so many doors for women in action. Now I get to take it to the next level and represent for Black women in action. It’s amazing.”
6. Ayo Edebiri
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Ayo Edibiri is a rapidly rising actress, comedian, and writer who has garnered attention for her work in both television and film. Known for her sharp wit and emotional range, she has become a standout talent in the entertainment world.
One of her most significant roles is in The Bear (2022–present), where she plays Sydney Adamu, a young chef navigating the intense and high-pressure world of fine dining. Her performance in the series has been widely praised for its blend of humor and vulnerability. Ayo has also gained recognition for her voice work in the animated series Big Mouth (2017–2023), where she voices a recurring character named Natalie. Additionally, she had a memorable guest appearance on the hit sitcom Abbott Elementary (2021–present), where she brought her comedic sensibilities to a unique role.
In film, Ayo starred in Bottoms (2023), a raunchy teen comedy directed by Emma Seligman. The film follows two high school girls who start a fight club to increase their social standing, and Ayo’s portrayal of the character PJ was praised for her ability to deliver both laughs and emotional depth.
This year, the 29-year-old made her horror film debut in Opus, starring opposite John Malkovich, which sent chills down our spines. With her versatile skillset in full throttle, we cannot wait to see what she tackles next.
