For the first time in American history, the future is looking incredibly bright for Black women in Hollywood.
Hollywood hasn’t always made room for Black women. For decades, trailblazers like Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Angela Bassett, Shonda Rhimes, and the late, great Cicely Tyson have kicked down doors, demanded respect, and redefined what power looks like on and off screen. And now? Their work is blooming into a new generation of Black women who are not only taking up space but owning it.
Tessa Thompson: The Quiet Force with Loud Impact
Tessa Thompson might be best known for her roles in blockbusters like Thor: Ragnarok, Creed, and Men in Black: International, but don’t get it twisted. Her activism runs just as deep as her acting chops. She was one of the first to champion the Time’s Up “4 Percent Challenge,” pushing for more women (especially women of color) behind the camera. And when it came to press, she made sure more Black and brown journalists got seats at the table. She’s not just taking roles; she’s king room.
Dominique Fishback: The Chameleon We Didn’t Know We Needed
If you’ve watched Swarm, you already know. Dominique Fishback doesn’t act. She transforms. Episode after episode, she delivers raw emotion, complex depth, and quiet intensity that sticks with you. She stunned us in Judas and the Black Messiah and held her own in The Deuce, proving she can carry any genre. She’s building a résumé that says: don’t box her in. Ever.
Lex Scott Davis: Versatility Personified
Some actors play the same character over and over. Not Lex Scott Davis. One minute, she’s breaking hearts in Ricky Stanicky; the next, she’s suiting up for Suits L.A. She glides between romance, action, and drama like it’s second nature. Lex is showing Hollywood that Black women can be leading ladies in any storyline and look good doing it.
Yasmin Finney: New Face, Big Impact
Yasmin Finney may be new to the game, but her presence is undeniable. The Heartstopper actress is breaking barriers as a transgender Black woman in mainstream media, and she’s doing it with grace, style, and serious talent. She’s a Gen Z icon in the making, showing young queer Black kids that they belong on screen, too.
Storm Reid: Young, Gifted & Unstoppable
Storm Reid stays booked and busy. From A Wrinkle in Time to Euphoria to The Last of Us, she continues to flex her range with roles that require both heart and grit. At just 20 years old, she’s already a red-carpet veteran and a name that casting directors can’t ignore. Storm doesn’t just act. She moves people.
Ziwe Fumudoh: Chaos, Comedy, & Cultural Commentary
Ziwe’s brand is bold. Whether she’s grilling celebs with hilariously uncomfortable questions on her Showtime series Ziwe, writing on Dickinson, or making a fashion statement at Mugler, she does it all while keeping her foot on society’s neck. Ziwe isn’t afraid to make you laugh, cringe, and think at the same time. That’s power.
Ayo Edebiri: The Internet’s Favorite, For Good Reason
If you’re not already obsessed with Ayo Edebiri, you will be. Her breakout role as Sydney in The Bear was the kind of performance that made both fans and critics stop and stare. She’s funny, sharp, and full of emotional range. Whether she lends her voice to animated shows or guest stars on Abbott Elementary, Ayo remains memorable. She’s not next, she’s now.
This wave of talent is unapologetically Black, brilliantly creative, and boldly rewriting the script. These women are not waiting for permission. They’re already shifting the culture, and they’re just getting started.
Hollywood, are you watching? Because we sure are.
