What TV show or movie are you most excited about watching this summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
While we love all the Black and Brown American actresses making waves in Hollywood these days, we’d be remiss not to show love and admiration for the ladies from across the pond also doing their thing. In recent years, we’ve seen more and more Black British stars bring their talents to U.S. television and movie screens, and they all bring an added razzle-dazzle we didn’t know we needed.
We have rounded-up this list of dynamic actresses who shine with projects—whether with an actor or producer credit—dropping this year. From Black Panther standout Letitia Wright to Thandie Newton—who has been gracing screens for decades—here are the Black British actresses to look out for in 2024.
Letitia Wright
We can’t forget the familial on-screen chemistry Wright brought with her co-star, the late Chadwick Boseman, in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Playing Shuri, the younger sister of the Black Panther, the actress was one of the main reasons young Black girls everywhere wanted to explore the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) industry on a greater level. While she’s not slated to reprise the role just yet, she will receive the executive production credit for the upcoming film, Possum Trot, releasing in July.
Thandie Newton
Born to a Zimbabwean mother and English father, it is often missed that actress Thandie Newton is British. You may remember her as Linda in Will Smith’s tearjerker of a film, The Pursuit of Happyness or as Tangie Adrose in Tyler Perry’s 2010 movie, For Colored Girls. As the true Thespian that she is, she’s able to mask her accent in the name of great acting. Newton was recently named a new cast member for season 2 of Netflix’s hit series, Wednesday, and she will have a role in the upcoming Disney film, Mufasa: The Lion King, alongside Beyoncé and her daughter Blue Ivy—slated for a December 20, 2024, release.
Jodie Tuner-Smith
Can we stop to just fan girl over this beauty? Often serving looks on the red carpet, Jodie Tuner Smith never lets us forget that she is also a model. Best known for her powerful role as Queen in Queen and Slim, Turner-Smith is currently filming Tron: Ares which will release in 2025. You can catch her in the Disney+ Star Wars series The Acolyte, currently streaming.
Naomi Acki
The leading actress in the 2022 release, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, British-born star Naomi Acki not only acts, but she can sing, too. Her powerful vocals can be heard in the first song of the film, where a young Whitney sings with her mother, Cissy Houston. As for upcoming roles, she’ll star alongside actor Channing Tatum in Blink Twice—written by Zoë Kravitz—which will hit screens August 23, 2024.
Michaela Coel
Of Ghanaian descent, London-born talent Michaela Coel blew us away with her Emmy-winning HBO series, I May Destroy You. Not only did she star as lead actress, but she wrote the powerful show that addressed mental health issues, too. You can currently catch her alongside Donald Glover in episodes of Amazon’s sexy, edgy reboot of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and she will star with Anne Hathaway in a new film, Mother Mary, in which she’ll play a fashion designer. The film’s release date has been pushed back due to last year’s SAG-AFTRA strike.
Adjoa Andoh
Bridgerton fans will easily recognize Andoh who played one of the best supporting roles in the Netflix series and its spinoff—that of Lady Danbury. But the royal feature wasn’t her first introduction to us. In 2009, she played Brenda Mazibuko, Nelson Mandela’s Chief of Staff, in the movie Invictus. And if you’re an audiobook lover, you may hear her narrating some of your favorite novels. As for where you can catch the British actress’s acting chops currently, well, she’s back for the third season of Bridgerton as her famed character.
Lashana Lynch
Appearing in multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films as Maria Rambeau, Lashana Lynch really caught our eye in her supporting role as the female warrior Izogie in the 2022 feature film, The Woman King, alongside Viola Davis. She recently starred as Rita Marley, the wife of reggae star, Bob Marley in the 2024 movie, Bob Marley: One Love. And fans can’t get enough of her. She has a starring role in Peacock’s Day of the Jackal which begins streaming on June 1, 2024.
What TV show or movie are you most excited about watching this summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
