20 popular Black British actors and actresses in Hollywood in 2025
Black British actors and actresses continue to impact Hollywood in 2025. With their incredible talent, versatility, and global recognition, stars like Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, and John Boyega are leading major productions and breaking barriers.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Popular Black British actors and actresses in Hollywood
- 1. Chiwetel Ejiofor
- 2. Aaron Pierre
- 3. Cynthia Erivo
- 4. Daniel Kaluuya
- 5. Micheal Ward
- 6. Regé-Jean Page
- 7. Thandiwe Newton
- 8. Nicholas Pinnock
- 9. Daniel Ezra
- 10. Letitia Wright
- 11. Damson Idris
- 12. Idris Elba
- 13. John Boyega
- 14. Lashana Lynch
- 15. Naomie Harris
- 16. Nathalie Emmanuel
- 17. Sophie Okonedo
- 18. Malachi Kirby
- 19. Paapa Essiedu
- 20. India Amarteifio
- Who is UK's famous Black actor?
- Which British actor has the best American accent?
- Why are there so many British actors in Hollywood now?
- Who is the female Black British actress and singer?
Key takeaways
- Black British actors and actresses are thriving in Hollywood in 2025, with stars like Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, and John Boyega leading major productions across film and television.
- Rising talents such as Micheal Ward, Letitia Wright, and Damson Idris are gaining international acclaim for standout performances.
- Veteran actors like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton remain active, starring in high-profile films like Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and Mufasa: The Lion King.
- Award-winning performers Daniel Kaluuya and Cynthia Erivo continue to impress, with Kaluuya voicing Spider-Punk in the Spider-Verse franchise and Erivo starring in Disney's Robogobo.
Popular Black British actors and actresses in Hollywood
Black British actors and actresses have dominated Hollywood, impressing audiences with their talent. Stars like Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, and John Boyega continue to land big roles while rising talents like Micheal Ward, Letitia Wright, and Damson Idris are making statements.
| Actor/actress | Latest notable works |
| Chiwetel Ejiofor | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) |
| Aaron Pierre | Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) |
| Cynthia Erivo | Robogobo (2025) |
| Daniel Kaluuya | Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) |
| Micheal Ward | The Beautiful Game (2024) |
| Regé-Jean Page | Black Bag (2025) |
| Thandiwe Newton | Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) |
| Nicholas Pinnock | Long Bright River (2025) |
| Daniel Ezra | All American (2018–2025) |
| Letitia Wright | Surrounded (2023) |
| Damson Idris | Snowfall (2017–2023) |
| Idris Elba | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| John Boyega | They Cloned Tyrone (2023) |
| Lashana Lynch | The Day of the Jackal (2024) |
| Naomie Harris | Black Bag (2025) |
| Nathalie Emmanuel | Die Hart (2020–2024) |
| Sophie Okonedo | The Wheel of Time (2021–2025) |
| Malachi Kirby | A Thousand Blows (2024–2025) |
| Paapa Essiedu | Black Doves (2024) |
| India Amarteifio | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023) |
1. Chiwetel Ejiofor
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- Full name: Chiwetel Umeadi Ejiofor
- Date of birth: 10 July 1977
- Place of birth: Forest Gate, London, England
- Years active: 1995–present
Chiwetel Ejiofor is among the famous Black British actors best known for their powerful performances in major blockbuster films such as 12 Years a Slave. In 2025, he starred in the romantic comedy Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy as Mr Walliker. Chiwetel's upcoming works include Eleanor the Great, The Old Guard 2, and Children of Blood and Bone.
2. Aaron Pierre
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- Full name: Aaron Stone Pierre
- Date of birth: 7 June 1994
- Place of birth: London, England
- Years active: 2016–present
Aaron Pierre is a British actor recognised for his roles in The Underground Railroad and Old in 2021. His latest role was in Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), where he voiced the young male iconic Disney character, Mufasa. Some of Aaron Pierre's upcoming roles include The Morning Show in 2025 and Lanterns in 2026.
3. Cynthia Erivo
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- Full name: Cynthia Chinasaokwu Onyedinmanasu Amarachukwu Owezuke Echimino Erivo
- Date of birth: 8 January 1987
- Place of birth: Stockwell, London, England
- Years active: 2010–present
Cynthia Erivo is an award-winning British actress and singer known for Harriet (2019) and Wicked (2024). In the animated Disney Junior series Robogobo (2025), she voices The Slink, a clever but clumsy chameleon villain.
4. Daniel Kaluuya
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- Full name: Daniel Kaluuya
- Date of birth: 24 February 1989
- Place of birth: Camden Town, London, England
- Years active: 2006–present
Daniel Kaluuya is an award-winning British actor and writer known for his standout performances in Get Out and Judas and the Black Messiah. In 2023, he voiced Hobie Brown (Spider-Punk) in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, a role he will reprise in 2027 with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
5. Micheal Ward
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- Full name: Micheal Ward
- Date of birth: 18 November 1997
- Place of birth: Spanish Town, Jamaica
- Years active: 2016–present
Micheal Ward is a British-Jamaican actor recognised for his compelling performances in Blue Story and Top Boy. In 2024, he starred in The Beautiful Game, a heartwarming sports drama about the unifying power of football. He plays Michael in the 2025 comedy Western Eddington.
6. Regé-Jean Page
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- Full name: Regé-Jean Page
- Date of birth: 24 January 1988
- Place of birth: London, England
- Years active: 2001–present
Regé-Jean Page is a British actor best known for his television work. He gained recognition for his portrayal of Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, in the first season of the Netflix drama series Bridgerton (2020). In 2025, he stars as Colonel James Stokes in Black Bag, a high-stakes spy thriller.
7. Thandiwe Newton
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- Full name: Melanie Thandiwe Newton
- Date of birth: 6 November 1972
- Place of birth: Westminster, London, England
- Years active: 1989–present
Thandiwe Newton is one of the celebrated Black British actresses known for Westworld and Crash. In 2024, she voiced Eshe in Mufasa: The Lion King, having previously voiced Mona in the television series Big Mouth (2019–2023).
8. Nicholas Pinnock
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- Full name: Nicholas Andre Pinnock
- Date of birth: 2 September 1973
- Place of birth: Balham, London, England
- Years active: 1985–present
Nicholas Pinnock is a British actor known for his roles in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Fortitude (2015) and The Book of Clarence (2023). In 2025, he stars in Long Bright River as Truman Dawes. According to IMDb, Pinnock has 77 acting credits (as of this writing).
9. Daniel Ezra
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- Full name: Daniel Ezra
- Date of birth: 15 December 1991
- Place of birth: Birmingham, West Midlands, England
- Years active: 2014–present
Daniel Ezra gained recognition for his lead role in the hit sports drama series All American (2018–2025), portraying Spencer James. Beyond All American, Ezra has expanded his repertoire with compelling roles in major films and TV projects like The Running Man (2025) and Prey (2014).
10. Letitia Wright
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- Full name: Letitia Michelle Wright
- Date of birth: 31 October 1993
- Place of birth: Georgetown, Guyana
- Years active: 2011–present
Emmy-nominated Guyanese-British actress Letitia Wright has cemented her position as one of the industry's most captivating young Black actresses. She portrayed Shuri in Black Panther (2018), Chantelle in Top Boy (2011), and Nish in Black Mirror (2017).
11. Damson Idris
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- Full name: Damson Alade-Bo Idris
- Date of birth: 2 September 1991
- Place of birth: London, England
- Years active: 2012–present
Damson Idris first gained widespread recognition as Franklin Saint in the FX crime drama Snowfall (2017–2023). He has starred in films such as Outside the Wire (2021). Most recently, he has been making waves in Hollywood with his role in the upcoming racing drama F1, where he stars alongside Brad Pitt.
12. Idris Elba
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Idrissa Akuna Elba
- Date of birth: 6 September 1972
- Place of birth: Hackney, London, England
- Years active: 1994–present
Idris Elba is one of the most accomplished UK Black actors in Hollywood, with over 123 acting credits. His powerful performances in Luther and Beasts of No Nation have showcased his versatility, earning him critical acclaim and global recognition. In 2024, he reprised his role as Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
13. John Boyega
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- Full name: John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega
- Date of birth: 17 March 1992
- Place of birth: London, England
- Years active: 2011–present
John Boyega is among the Black British actors playing American roles. In 2023, he starred in the Netflix comedy thriller They Cloned Tyrone. In 2015, Boyega portrayed Finn in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.
14. Lashana Lynch
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- Full name: Lashana Rasheda Lynch
- Date of birth: 27 November 1987
- Place of birth: Hammersmith, London, England
- Years active: 2007–present
Lashana Lynch is best known for her roles in Captain Marvel (2019), No Time to Die (2021), and The Woman King (2022). In 2024, she starred in The Day of the Jackal, a modern adaptation of the classic espionage thriller.
15. Naomie Harris
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- Full name: Naomie Melanie Harris
- Date of birth: 6 September 1976
- Place of birth: Islington, London, England
- Years active: 1987–present
Naomie Harris is best known for her starring role as Paula in Moonlight (2016), which earned her Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. Naomie's latest role is as Dr Zoe Vaughan in Black Bag (2025).
16. Nathalie Emmanuel
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- Full name: Nathalie Joanne Emmanuel
- Date of birth: 2 March 1989
- Place of birth: Southend-on-Sea, England
- Years active: 2006–present
Nathalie Emmanuel is an English actress known for her role as Missandei on the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones (2011) and Ramsey in Fast & Furious 7 (2015). From 2020 to 2024, she starred in Die Hart, a comedy-action series alongside Kevin Hart.
17. Sophie Okonedo
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- Full name: Sophie Okonedo
- Date of birth: 11 August 1968
- Place of birth: London, England
- Years active: 1991–present
Sophie Okonedo is an award-winning actress known for Hotel Rwanda (2004) and Ratched (2020). From 2021 to 2025, she starred in The Wheel of Time, a fantasy TV show based on a popular book series. Okonedo's other notable works include 10 Lives (2024) and Slow Horses (2022–2023).
18. Malachi Kirby
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- Full name: Malachi Kirby
- Date of birth: 20 September 1989
- Place of birth: London, England
- Years active: 2008–present
Malachi Kirby is one of the most popular Black British actors. He is best known for his powerful performances in Roots (2016) and Small Axe (2020). From 2024 to 2025, Kirby starred in A Thousand Blows, a gritty drama set in 19th-century boxing.
19. Paapa Essiedu
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Paapa Kwaakye Essiedu
- Date of birth: 11 June 1990
- Place of birth: London, England
- Years active: 2012–present
Paapa Essiedu is a British actor known for I May Destroy You (2020) and Gangs of London (2020–2022). He started his career in 2012 when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, acting in numerous productions, including The Merry Wives of Windsor (2012), Hamlet (2016), and King Lear (2016).
20. India Amarteifio
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: India Ria Amarteifio
- Date of birth: 17 September 2001
- Place of birth: Kingston upon Thames, England
- Years active: 2009–present
India Amarteifio gained recognition for playing young Queen Charlotte in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023), a prequel to the hit Netflix series Bridgerton. Her other notable roles include The Interceptor (2015), Military Wives (2019), and The Tunnel (2013).
Who is UK's famous Black actor?
One of the most famous Black British actors is Idris Elba. Born in London, Elba starred in major Hollywood films like Beasts of No Nation, Thor, Pacific Rim and the critically acclaimed TV series Luther.
Which British actor has the best American accent?
Several British actors have mastered the American accent, making their performances incredibly convincing. Christian Bale, Idris Elba, and Hugh Laurie seamlessly adopt American dialects. Henry Cavill and Damian Lewis also deliver flawless accents, often surprising audiences.
Why are there so many British actors in Hollywood now?
British actors thrive in Hollywood due to historical ties, theatre training, and economic advantages. The UK's drama schools produce highly skilled performers, and Hollywood often adapts British stories. British actors' affordability, versatility (accent adaptation), and "blank slate" appeal make them highly sought after.
Who is the female Black British actress and singer?
Cynthia Erivo is the acclaimed Black British actress and singer known for her powerful performances and vocal talent. She has a Tony Award, Grammy, and Emmy for her role as Celie in The Colour Purple.
Above are the most popular Black British actors and actresses making waves in Hollywood in 2025. Notable figures like Aaron Pierre, Cynthia Erivo, and Idris Elba stand out while rising stars such as Damson Idris, Lashana Lynch, and Micheal Ward continue to make their Hollywood mark.
Yen.com.gh recently published an article about the top G20 movie cast and the characters they play. G20 is a high-stakes political thriller that follows U.S. President Danielle Sutton as she navigates a terrorist takeover at the G20 summit.
If you're looking for an action-packed political drama, G20 delivers intense performances and gripping storytelling. Some of its top actors include Viola Davis, who plays President Danielle Sutton and Anthony Anderson as First Gentleman Derek Sutton. Read about its star-studded cast in the post.
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