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Hollywood has long been home to actors of Nigerian heritage, with established stars laying the foundation for a new generation of performers making their mark across film and television.
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From acclaimed dramas and blockbuster franchises to streaming hits and award-winning series, these rising actors are earning praise for standout performances that continue to elevate their profiles on the global stage.
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Their growing success reflects the depth of Nigerian talent, with many landing career-defining roles that have introduced them to international audiences and positioned them among Hollywood’s most exciting performers to watch.
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This article spotlights ten actors with Nigerian roots whose breakout performances, memorable screen roles and rising careers are helping shape the future of global entertainment.
July 29, (THEWILL) — Hollywood has long been home to actors of Nigerian heritage, many of whom have delivered memorable performances in blockbuster films, acclaimed television series and award-winning dramas. Their work has helped establish a lasting Nigerian presence in one of the world’s most competitive film industries.
Today, a new generation is building on that legacy. Across cinemas and streaming platforms, these actors are landing leading roles, earning critical acclaim and showcasing their versatility in everything from superhero films and historical dramas to horror, comedy and science fiction.
With David Jonsson preparing to step into one of Hollywood’s most iconic superhero roles, his rise is the latest chapter in that story.
Here are ten actors with Nigerian roots whose breakout performances and standout roles are helping shape the future of film and television.
1. David Jonsson
Few actors have experienced a rise as rapid as David Jonsson Fray. Fresh off his confirmation as the new Black Panther, the British actor, who has Nigerian, Sierra Leonean, Swedish and Caribbean heritage, has become one of Hollywood’s most talked-about rising stars.
Before landing one of the industry’s biggest superhero roles, Jonsson first gained recognition as Gus Sackey in HBO’s “Industry”.
He cemented his status as a leading man with the critically acclaimed romantic comedy “Rye Lane,” where his effortless charm and chemistry with co-star Vivian Oparah earned widespread praise.
He later reached an even wider audience with “Alien: Romulus” and Stephen King’s “The Long Walk,” proving he can command the screen across very different genres. With Black Panther now added to his résumé, Jonsson is entering what promises to be the defining chapter of his career.
2. Damson Idris
Adamson Alade-Bo Idris, better known as Damson Idris, has grown from one of Britain’s brightest young actors into one of Hollywood’s most promising leading men. Raised in a Yoruba Nigerian household in South London, he studied Theatre, Film and Television before honing his craft at the Identity School of Acting.
His breakthrough came with the role of Franklin Saint in FX’s “Snowfall”, where his gripping portrayal of a young drug kingpin earned widespread acclaim across six seasons.
Since then, Idris has expanded into Hollywood with roles in “Outside the Wire” and the Formula One blockbuster “F1” alongside Brad Pitt. He is also set to star in the upcoming film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel “Children of Blood and Bone,” adding another major project to his growing Hollywood résumé.
3. Joy Sunday
Millions of viewers first met Joy Sunday as Bianca Barclay in Netflix’s global phenomenon “Wednesday”, but the actress had spent years working through smaller television roles before landing the career-changing opportunity.
The New York native, who is of Nigerian heritage, quickly became one of the series’ standout performers thanks to her confident and emotionally layered portrayal.
The success of “Wednesday” opened the door to bigger opportunities, with Sunday continuing to expand her profile through high-profile television projects.
Her performance in HBO’s “DTF St. Louis” recently earned her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination, marking another major milestone in her fast-rising career.
4. Tosin Cole
For many viewers, Tosin Cole first became a familiar face through his role as Ryan Sinclair in “Doctor Who.” Raised in London by Yoruba Nigerian parents, the actor steadily built an impressive body of work before finding an even bigger audience with Netflix’s superhero drama “Supacell”.
Cole’s performance as Michael helped make the series one of Netflix’s most talked-about releases, showcasing his ability to balance action with emotional depth.
His career continues to gather momentum, with the actor also set to appear in the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel “Children of Blood and Bone.”
5. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù
Versatility has become Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù’s trademark. The British-Nigerian actor first attracted attention through supporting film roles before delivering a breakout performance in the acclaimed psychological horror film “His House.” His emotionally charged portrayal earned praise from critics and introduced him to audiences far beyond the United Kingdom.
Since then, Dìrísù has continued to build an impressive résumé with performances in “Gangs of London”, “Mr Malcolm’s List” and “Slow Horses”. Whether tackling action, period drama or psychological thrillers, he has established himself as one of Britain’s most dependable screen talents.
More recently, Dìrísù delivered another acclaimed performance in Akinola Davies Jr.’s “My Father’s Shadow,” a drama set in Lagos during the 1993 election crisis. His performance earned him the Outstanding Lead Performance award at the 2025 Gotham Awards and Best Performance by an Actor at the Marrakech International Film Festival, adding major recognition to an already impressive career.
6. Wunmi Mosaku
Few performers command the screen as effortlessly as Oluwunmi Mosaku, professionally known as Wunmi Mosaku. Born in Zaria, Kaduna State, before relocating to the United Kingdom as a child, she has built a career defined by emotionally rich and deeply authentic performances.
Mosaku first gained widespread recognition after winning a BAFTA for “Damilola, Our Loved Boy,” before reaching global audiences through standout roles in “Lovecraft Country,” Marvel’s “Loki”, and Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners”.
Known for bringing quiet intensity and emotional depth to every character she portrays, Mosaku has become one of the industry’s most respected actresses.
7. Chuku Modu
Fans of fantasy, superhero films and medical dramas have likely come across Chukuma “Chuku” Modu, even if they do not immediately recognise his name. The British actor was born to a father of mixed Nigerian, specifically Igbo, and German heritage and an Anglo-Irish mother.
Modu has quietly built an impressive career across some of television’s biggest productions. He first gained international attention as Aggo in “Game of Thrones” before joining the cast of “The Good Doctor” as Dr Jared Kalu.
He later appeared in Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel”, adding another major franchise to a filmography that continues to grow with every project.
8. Weruche Opia
Weruche Opia has quietly built an impressive career across Nollywood and international television. Born in Lagos before moving to the United Kingdom as a teenager, she first gained recognition in Nollywood with “When Love Happens”, earning nominations at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Her international breakthrough came with Michaela Coel’s critically acclaimed series “I May Destroy You”, where her performance earned a BAFTA Television Award nomination and introduced her to a wider global audience.
9. Vivian Oparah
Vivian Oparah announced herself as one of Britain’s brightest young actresses with her breakout performance in “Rye Lane.” The actress, who is of Nigerian heritage, won over audiences with her warmth, humour and natural chemistry alongside David Jonsson, helping turn the romantic comedy into one of the year’s most celebrated films.
Her performance earned the British Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performance and a BAFTA Rising Star nomination, cementing her place as one of the industry’s most exciting emerging talents.
She has since continued to build her career with appearances in “The Tower” and “Class”.
10. Ayo Edebiri
Comedian, writer, actress and director Ayomide Edebiri, professionally known as Ayo Edebiri, has become one of Hollywood’s most versatile young creatives. Born to a Nigerian father and Barbadian mother, she initially built a following through comedy before making the transition to acting.
Her breakout role as Sydney Adamu in FX’s critically acclaimed series “The Bear” transformed her into one of television’s biggest stars, earning her widespread acclaim and an Emmy Award.
She has since expanded her creative footprint behind the camera, receiving another Emmy nomination for directing an episode of the series, while also lending her voice to Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.”
Still early in her career, Edebiri has already established herself as one of the entertainment industry’s brightest talents.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
