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Black British Actors Who Are Changing the Acting Scene

by Betti Halsell

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British accents have always been cool. A subtle but pungent twang of english seems to send anyone into a frenzy of fascination. Mix that with phenomenal acting and now one has witnessed the creation of a star. One of the hottest trends in Black entertainment right now are the slew of Black British actors putting on unprecedented performances, while keeping their real accents for dessert. Actors such as Daniel Kaluuya, Idris Elba, and Thandie Newton  turned Hollywood on its head with their wide range of talent. Here are the top British actors you should look out for in the next Hollywood trailers, nine times out of ten, the movie is going to be phenomenal. 

Rege-jean page 

 If you seen Bridgerton, you seen Rege-jean Page’s “behind the scenes”, if you know what I mean. Page is bringing back the era of “teenage heartthrobs” in the romantic novel turned tv series. Looking into his background (since we have already seen his behind),  Page is British and Zimbabwean. One of his first break-out roles was playing Chicken George in the mini-series Roots. In one of his more regular roles he played a cast member of the ABC legal drama For the People, he’s for the people alright…

Thandie Newton

Melanie Thandiwe ‘Thandie’ Newton has stolen all of the awards and slayed every red carpet she ever walked out on. She has been awarded a Primetime Emmy, British Academy Film Award, and received two Golden Globe Awards. Newton is known for her performances in Westworld, Mission impossible 2 and Crash. She has been an open book about her frustrations with roles and scenes she was cast to do as a woman. Despite that, she always saved face and played chess, not checkers. Thanks for holding it down for the women, Thandie! 

Daniel Kaluuya

Known for the teary-eyed blank stare in horror film Get Out, Kaluuya was probably the first pop culture trigger to send a shock wave through the nation – he had such a natural American accent in the movie! But when he spoke during interviews it was like, “woah, how long have you been British?!” The Golden Globe Best Supporting Actors was born in London to his Ugandan parents. His name is credited in over 40+ movie credits, including Black Panther, Queen and Slim, and Judas and The Black Messiah. Kaluuya is also a writer – he co-wrote a few episodes of the teenage drama series Skins. He’s a multi-talented deep thinker and a poet by nature.

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett attends the after party for the “Angels in America”/ Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock

This man just has that swag, watching him walk is like watching a lion stroll in the pride lands. As the literal embodiment of tall dark and handsome, Jarrett he is best known for his role in Misfits. He has appeared in over 40 credits, and when he breaks the seal in Hollywood showbiz, there will be women lined up to see him on the big screen. 

Idris Elba

Idris Elba at the premiere of “The Mountain Between Us” (2017)

Idris Elba has ‘distinguished grown man’ written all over him, and, as an actor, he steals the show every time. Not only does he act but he is also into the music scene as a producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, and DJ. He is known for his roles in The wire, Luther, playing Nelson Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom, and many more roles. Elba brings energy and heat to each performance – no matter the genre – drama, action, sci-fi – his talent is immesurable.

Kingsley Ben-Adir

Kinglsey is the crown royale of acting. He is best known for his role as a detective in the Netflix series The OA and recently released Regina King-directed One Night In Miami. His father was a musician and his mother a caregiver. Ben-Adir comes from a Trinidadian background. His mother converted to judaism, taking on the last name ‘Ben-Adir,’ which means “son of the strong or mighty.” Although the actor is still relatively new to Hollywood, he is surely joining the ranks of U.S.-famous hot British acting sensations. 

Michaela Coel

Michaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson is a daring actress. She is bold and brings life to all of her characters in the most relatable way. Coel is known for her performances in the Black Mirror, British sitcom series Chewing Gum, and HBO’s hit show I May Destroy You. The Award winning writer, director and actor has made every one of her roles memorable. Here’s to many more phenomenal Coel-led projects!

Letitia Wright 

Letitia Michelle Wright is a youthful face of beauty and has already made her mark in the film industry as a staple in the Black Panther . Wright comes from a Guyanese-British background and has been seen in multiple guest roles such as Top Boy, Coming Up, and Black Mirror. She has also received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award. Rumor has it, she will be the Black Panther sequel. Black women on the rise, we love to see it!

Sophie Okonedo 

Sophie Okonedo Evening Standard Theatre Awards/ Photo by David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock

Sophie Okonedo is the British babe that we all grew up watching. Her role in Aeon Flux and Ace Ventura: When nature calls are nostalgic. She was an early representation for the younger generation of Black girls. Okonedo has over 70 movie credits under her belt and she was nominated for a Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. If you ever see her name on the screen, you are in for a treat!

Freema Agyeman

Freema Agyeman brings a spirit to her roles, one that is limitless and bound to run into trouble. Agyemen is from an Iranian and Ghanian background, she known for her role as Martha Jones in BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, as Dr. Helen Sharpe in ABC’s New Amsterdam and the outspoken style editor in The Carrie Diaries. Her characters always seem liberated and dancing to their own beat.  

John Boyega

Recent Critics Choice Awards winner John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega has been booked and busy. Boyega’s latest role as Leroy Logan in Amazon’s Small Axe has created a lot of buzz during the 2021 award season. Born from parents of Nigerian descent, the actor and activist is known around the world for his roles in Pacific Rim and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker among others.

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Batwoman’s Javicia Leslie Gets Engaged in Napa Valley

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Batwoman

Batwoman‘s star Javicia Leslie is engaged!

The 37-year-old shared the exciting news via Instagram earlier today with a caption that reads, “An answered prayer.”

According to his bio, Leslie’s now-fiancé, Nana-Yaw Asamoah, is a New York native and a sports and entertainment executive. He currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of AMB Sports and Entertainment.

While the couple’s romantic relationship has not been public until now, Leslie has been open about being bisexual. In fact, she is the first Black and queer woman to play the aforementioned DC’s superhero.

During an interview on E! News’ Daily Pop, the actress shared that her role in the CW series inspired her to come out to her mom.  “For me, I never felt like I had to hide anything,” Leslie said. “That wasn’t really where I was coming from. I just hadn’t had a conversation, so I just wanted to talk to my mom about it because I was living my life. I just wanted to be able to talk to her so she didn’t have to be told through the media.”

Batwoman's Javicia Leslie
Javicia Leslie as Batwoman/ CW

According to the shared Instagram post, Asamoah proposed to Leslie in Napa Valley, at what appears to be a winery, in front of a beautiful mountain backdrop. Friends, family, and fans flooded the comment section with congratulations and best wishes to the couple. We are joining in as well!

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‘Love Is Blind’ Alumni Lauren and Cameron Hamilton Announce First Pregnancy

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Love Is Blind Lauren and Cameron

Lauren Speed-Hamilton and Cameron Hamilton, beloved stars of Netflix’s Love Is Blind Season 1, have announced they are expecting their first child, a milestone following a four-year fertility journey. The couple, who charmed millions of fans with their love story, shared the joyful news earlier this week, via an Instagram video and an exclusive People interview, revealing their baby is due in fall 2025.

The Hamiltons’ path to parenthood was marked by challenges, including multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cameron, 34, described the emotional moment they saw “pregnant” on a Clearblue test: “We were counting down the days… it was a huge moment.” Lauren, 37, shared that she “fell to her knees and cried,” calling the news a “relief” after years of anxiety-inducing tests. The announcement came shortly after the loss of Lauren’s father in December 2024, making it a bittersweet “light in the darkness” for their family.

Love Is Blind’s Lauren Speed-Hamilton and Cameron Hamilton / People magazine

The couple, married since November 2018, has been open about their fertility struggles on their podcast, The Love Seat.

Lauren, now in her second trimester, is navigating cravings for cheese and fruit, with Cameron as her steadfast supporter. They look forward to reliving childhood through their baby, with Lauren excited for “Disney on Ice and the zoo.” As they prepare for parenthood, the Hamiltons continue to inspire with their love and resilience, proving that their Love Is Blind connection remains unbreakable.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

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Taylour Paige Is Pregnant! Expecting First Baby with Husband Rivington Angulo

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Taylour

Taylour Paige-Angulo shared that she is expecting her first child with her husband, fashion designer Rivington Angulo, earlier today.

The announcement, made official through a captionless Instagram post, featured Paige-Angulo in a white dress that beautifully highlighted her baby bump. This milestone comes after a deeply personal journey, including a decades-long battle with endometriosis, which the ‘Zola’ actress openly discussed on social media.

Paige-Angulo’s pregnancy reveal follows her first public hint at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on February 27, where she debuted her (hidden) baby bump in a chic brown dress. A TikTok video captured her chatting with fellow actors Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors.

Behind Taylour’s joyful announcement lies a challenging history with endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing severe pain and fertility issues. The actress has been candid about her struggle, which went undiagnosed for 20 years. In an emotional Instagram post on March 4, 2025, during Endometriosis Awareness Month, she described it as a “lifelong journey of healing” and a “really violent illness” that brought “agony and turmoil.” She recounted debilitating symptoms—pain so intense it made her “see stars,” monthly vomiting, and times she couldn’t drive.

In fall 2023, Paige-Angulo underwent a four-hour surgery to remove endometrial tissue. Reflecting on the experience, she wrote, “So many women are going THROUGH it okay. Be gentle with us.”

Taylour
Taylour Paige and Rivington Angulo/ Instagram

The Angulos tied the knot on October 5, 2022, on Paige’s 32nd birthday. Their intimate ceremony unfolded at the Wattles Mansion in Los Angeles. The couple’s romance had blossomed quickly after meeting during the pandemic at a party hosted by a mutual friend. Paige-Angulo later recalled how Angulo’s energy felt like “home” from the start. For the occasion, she wore a custom sheer white gown designed by her then-fiance. The event was attended by close friends, including a notable appearance by Rihanna, adding a touch of star power to the heartfelt affair. Paige-Angulo described the day on Instagram as “the greatest day of my life.”

Congratulations to the happy couple!

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