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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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Interviews

Campbell Addy Feels Seen In NatGeo’s Newest Documentary ‘Photographer’

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Campbell Addy Photographer

Campbell Addy gets candid about his life and art in the new docuseries from National Geographic.

‘Photographer’ is a six-part documentary collection featuring seven visual artists who take on significant projects and invite viewers on the journey. Award-winning filmmakers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin share interwoven backstories, archival interviews, and verité footage to unveil the intimate process behind creating some of the most iconic photography masterpieces.

Episode four, titled ‘Feeling Seen,’ features the story of the award-winning British Ghanaian photographer Campbell Addy. It examines different facets of Addy’s life, such as his art, family, heritage, faith, and identity.

A brilliant visionary, Addy photographed celebrities from Beyonce to Meghan Markle before the age of 30. In ‘Photographers,’ we follow the creative as he prepares for his solo exhibition in London. This is a turning point in his career, where he gets to redefine himself as an artist. Addy’s art show, ‘I Love Campbell,’ carries a simple yet powerful message, shifting the focus from the photographer’s high-fashion pieces to highlight his most intimate and comprehensive works to date.

When first approached to participate in the documentary, Addy tells Hollywood Melanin he had doubts. “At first, I didn’t think it was real. I remember sitting down with [my team], and we spoke about what I planned to do. I get to meet these wonderful people; if it works, it’s great; if it doesn’t, it’s also fine.”

Bold, vulnerable, and honest, Addy’s episode in the ‘Photographer’ shows a side of the artist the public hasn’t seen before. The 30-year-old says telling things as is was his intention from the very beginning. “This was the only way I could do it. I needed to be honest, I needed to be authentic and I needed to make sure I’m telling a story that is important. It isn’t just about the image. It’s a lot more than that.”

With so many masterpieces already out there, Addy, in true artist fashion, says he has no favorites. “It’s like choosing a favorite child,” he laughs.

The saying about experiences shaping who we are could not be more true for Addy, whose journey through life is most certainly reflected in his work. His art encompasses it all – from the challenges of being raised in a strict religious household to the pushback he encountered as a queer Black artist. Would he have it any other way? Addy says, “Hard ‘no’ on going back. I’ve come too far. I used to do it a lot. That kind of energy would put you in a bad place. I am in a space of ‘yesterday has happened’ and ‘tomorrow doesn’t exist’. I’m here now, so. There is nothing ’cause then I wouldn’t be me.”

Watch National Geographic’s ‘Photographer,’ now available to stream on Disney+.

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Film

Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera Join Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’

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High and Low

In a highly anticipated collaboration, acclaimed actor Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera have joined the cast of Spike Lee’s upcoming film, ‘High and Low.’ The film, described as a reimagining of the classic Akira Kurosawa thriller, also stars Denzel Washington.

Known for his roles in films like ‘Basquiat,’ ‘The Hunger Games’ series, and ‘Westworld,’ Jeffrey Wright was most recently nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in American Fiction. His ability to embody complex characters and deliver powerful performances makes him a perfect fit for this new Spike Lee joint.

The upcoming film will mark a reunion for Hadera and Washington, who co-starred in ‘The Equalizer 2.’ The Godfather of Harlem star also previously collaborated with Lee on his acclaimed Netflix series ‘She’s Gotta Have It,’ based on his classic 1986 film and his movies ‘Chi-Raq’ and ‘Oldboy’.

‘High and Low’ also marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Washington, who previously worked together on ‘Mo’ Better Blues,’ ‘He Got Game,’ ‘Inside Man,’ and ‘Malcolm X.’ Washington’s performance in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ was also released by A24.

The film is being developed and produced by A24, a production company known for its slate of thought-provoking and award-worthy films. It is described as a thriller and an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller, which told the story of a shoe executive who was in the middle of a complex corporate takeover when his plans were derailed by the accidental kidnapping and ransom of his chauffeur’s son instead of his son.

The film will begin production this month, with a theatrical release before its global launch on Apple TV+.

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Regina King and Guests Attend The Los Angeles Premiere of ‘Shirley’

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Oscar-winner Regina King recently attended the Los Angeles premiere of her latest film, ‘Shirley.’ The highly anticipated biopic chronicles the life and political career of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress and the first Black woman to run for President.

The premiere, held on March 21, 2024, drew a star-studded crowd, with King taking center stage as both the lead actress and one of the film producers. She was joined by her sister, Reina King, who also served as a producer on the project.

The film, directed by John Ridley and written by Rebecca Hall, explores the life and career of Shirley Chisholm, who was a trailblazer in American politics. The story follows her journey from her early days as a teacher and community activist to her historic run for the presidency in 1972.

Regina King and Reina King speak onstage during Netflix’s ‘Shirley’ Los Angeles Premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on March 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)

At the premiere, Regina King spoke about the importance of telling Chisholm’s story and the impact she had on American politics. “Shirley was a true maverick, and, you know, we use this term all the time, but she was a true first,” King said. “She was the first Black woman to be elected to Congress and the first Black woman to run for President. Her story is one that needs to be told and I’m honored to be a part of bringing it to the screen.”

The film also stars Lance Reddick as Chisholm’s husband, Conrad Chisholm, and features a powerful supporting cast that includes actors like Jeffrey Wright, André Holland, and Michael K. Williams.

The premiere celebrated Shirley Chisholm’s legacy. Attendees were treated to a special screening of the film, followed by a Q&A session with the cast and crew.

Regina King’s performance in the film has already garnered critical acclaim, with many praising her portrayal of Chisholm as both powerful and nuanced. In an interview with Variety, King spoke about the challenges of playing such a significant historical figure. “It was important to me to show the humanity in her and to show that she was a real person who had real struggles and real triumphs,” she said.

The film is set to be released on Netflix on March 22, 2024. Watch the trailer below.

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