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30 Young Black Actors you should follow in 2023

Since 1914 when Sam Lucas became the first Black actor to be cast in a leading role in a mainstream film, black actors have made tremendous progress in Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general.

In the last few decades, black actors have broken racial barriers in the film industry, opening the door for the current generations of actors who continue to make their mark in Hollywood and other big  theaters around the world.

Whether you are a fan of drama, comedy, action, or romance, there are many black actors who are making their names with their talent, charisma, and star performances. In this article, we have compiled a list of 30 young black actors who have been cast in various notable projects in recent years and are worthy to be followed in 2023 and the coming years.

1. Zendaya Maree Stoemer Coleman

One of the most well-known and significant figures in the entertainment business today is the Emmy Award-winning actress Zendaya.

In the popular Disney Channel series “Shake It Up!” (2010–2013) and  K.C. Undercover (2015–2018), which she also helped create. She made her feature film debut in 2017’s Spider-Man and Homecoming before going on to appear in Spider-Man, Far from Home, and most recently, Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Other accomplishments include the animated movie Smallfoot, The Greatest Showman, alongside Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, and Space Jam: A New Legacy with Lebron James.

She was also included on Time magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. And, In the same year, Variety magazine ranked her on its list of the 500 most influential figures in global media.

2. Caila Marsai Martin

Caila Marsai Martin, an American actor who debuted on August 14, 2004, is best known for playing Diane Johnson on the ABC comedy Black-ish. (2014–2022).

At the age of 13, Martin became the youngest African-American producer and the youngest individual to ever create a studio movie when she appeared in the comedy Little in 2019. She was included in Time magazine’s “Time 100 Next” that same year.

Martin has also been nominated for a plethora of honors for her ground-breaking performance, including three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and a Young Artist Award.

3. Caleb McLaughlin

Caleb McLaughlin – Photo by Cage Skidmore from Wikimedia

American performer Caleb Reginald McLaughlin was born on October 13, 2001. He became well-known for his role as Lucas Sinclair in the wildly popular Netflix original series Stranger Things (2016–present). As Young Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King, McLaughlin launched his acting career which was followed by many more minor television roles.

He made his feature film debut in the movies High Flying Bird (2019) and Concrete Cowboy (2020). In addition, he voiced parts in the 2017 miniseries The New Edition Story and numerous television projects, such as Law and Order as a guest performer.

McLaughlin made his feature film debut in the well-received 2020 picture Concrete Cowboy, in which he co-starred with Jharrel Jerome and Idris Elba. He was also recognized in the category of Hollywood and Entertainment on the Forbes under 30 Class of 2021.

4.  Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer – Photo by Cage Skidmore from

American actor, singer, and media personality Lauren Keyana “Keke”  is well known for her main and supporting roles in comedic and dramatic productions.

After appearing in her own Nickelodeon series, True Jackson, VP, from 2008 to 2011, she became the first Black actress to play Cinderella on Broadway and earned her own BET chat program.

She also appeared in several TV shows and played the character of Nikki in Madea’s Family Reunion in 2005.  She finally secured her first leading role in Akeelah and the bee in 2006.

5. Jaden Smith

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Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (born July 8, 1998), is an American rapper, vocalist, and actor. In addition to bids for a Grammy Award, two NAACP Image Awards, and an Empire Award, he has won numerous awards, including a Teen Choice Award, an MTV Movie Award, a BET Award, and a Young Artist Award.

He made his acting debut alongside his father Will Smith in the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness and joined him again in the 2013 movie After Earth. Additionally, he appeared in The Karate Kid (2008) and The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008).

His music career skyrocketed in 2010 when he sang alongside the famous Canadian singer Justin Bieber in the song Never say never which peaked at no. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 5× Platinum in the US.

6. Tyler James Williams

Tyler James Williams – Photo by MingleMediaTVNetwork from

Tyler Williams, who is best known for his role as Chris in the movie Everyone Hates Chris, was born on October 9, 1992, in Westchester County, New York, in the United States. He debuted as a child actor on Saturday Night Live, Little Bill, and Sesame Street, where he made several cameos.

He subsequently became well-known for portraying Chris Rock in the UPN/CW comedy Everybody Hates Chris. After that, he played the musician Cyrus DeBarge in the Disney Channel original film Let It Shine (2012) and the character Noah in the AMC horror series The Walking Dead.

Williams has additionally featured in movies like The United States vs. Billie Holiday and Detroit (both 2017 and 2021) and also played the musician Cyrus DeBarge in the Disney Channel original film Let It Shine (2012) and the character Noah in the AMC horror series The Walking Dead.

7. Mizera Ncuti Gatwa

Mizero Ncuti Gatwa is a Rwandan-Scottish actor born on October 15, 1992. He started his acting career in the romantic drama Romeo & Juliet in 2014 and was considered for an Ian Charleson Award for his starring performance.

Gatwa’s breakthrough came in the Netflix comedy-drama series Sex Education (2019–present), which has earned him three BAFTA Television Award nominations for Best Male Comedy Performance and a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in Television.

8. Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright & Forest Whitaker – Photo by Cage Skidmore from

Actress Letitia Michelle Wright is of British and Guyanese descent. She made her acting debut as a supporting actor and made appearances in the television shows Top Boy, Coming Up, Chasing Shadows, Humans, Doctor Who, and Black Mirror.

Letitia Wright received widespread acclaim in 2018 for her performance as Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe picture Black Panther, for which she received both a SAG Award and an NAACP Image Award.

She also took part in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and the most recent Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She additionally starred in Steve McQueen’s compilation series Small Axe from 2020, for which she was nominated for a Satellite Award.

9. Yara Shahidi

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The stunning and gifted Yara Shahidi was born on February 10, 2000. She plays the lead part in the spin-off series Grown-ish and stars as Zoey Johnson in the sitcom Black-ish.

She started her acting career at the age of 6 years and starred in television and print ads for brands like McDonald’s, Ralph Lauren, Target, GapKids, Disney, Guess Kids, and The Children’s Place.

Shahidi debuted in the ABC sitcom Black-ish in September 2014 and received the NAACP Image Award for “Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy” in the same year. In 2016, she was listed among “The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016” by Time magazine.

During her acting career, she starred alongside Eddie Murphy, in Paramount Pictures’ 2009 film Imagine That and Angelina Jolie’s action movie Salt in 2010. She also portrayed Chloe Johnson, president William Johnson’s daughter, in the TV show The First Family in 2012.

10. Jabari Banks

Jabari Banks was born in the United States on August 2, 1998, and grew up in West Philadelphia. He has lately become well-known for playing Will in the drama adaptation of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air known as Bel-Air. He also contributed to the Mandela Project. (2022).

Without any doubt, this budding actor is headed for fame and you should keep an eye on him in 2023 and beyond.

11. Courtney Jones

Coco Jones – Photo Source: Wikimedia

Born on January 4, 1998, Coco Jones, is an American singer and actress, best known for her role in the 2012 Disney Channel film Let It Shine. She appeared on Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing from 2010 to 2011 and in the dramatization of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air called “Bel-Air,” she plays Hillary Banks.

Beginning in 2014, Jones started publishing her solo singles and EPs after leaving Disney and has a formal recording deal with Def Jam Recordings as of March 2022.

12. Tatiana Gabrielle Hobson

Tatiana was born on January 25, 1996, and is best known for playing the role of Gaia in the science fiction series The 100. She has also appeared in other projects like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and You as Marianne Bellamy.

Additionally, Tatiana appeared as Jo Braddock in the 2022 film Uncharted and as Hannah Kim in the Netflix series Kaleidoscope. She also became the voice of Willow Park on the Disney animated series The Owl House.

Now aged 27 years, Tatiana Gabrielle Hobson is still young, beautiful, and full of energy and she is definitely among the  Young Black Actors you should follow in 2023.

13. Luka Sabbat

American model, actor, and social personality Luka was born on November 26, 1997. After meeting Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, he was hired as Luca Hall, a character that portrays himself in real life, in the spin-off series Grown-ish in 2018.

Having appeared in advertisements for Calvin Klein and Hood By Air and been chosen by Virgil Abloh to walk in Yeezy’s first and second season shows, Luka symbolizes a new generation of young black actors reshaping the entertainment industry.

14. China Anne McClain

China Anne McClain – Photo by Jonathan Esquivel From

Known as a “double threat,” China is a well-known American performer who has won the hearts of millions with her acting and music talents. She has been recognized for her roles as Jazmine Payne in the television series Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (2007–2012; 2020–present) and as Charlotte McKenzie in the film Grown Ups (2010).

China became internationally known for her role as Chyna Parks in the Disney Channel television series A.N.T. Farm (2011–2014) and as Uma in the Disney Channel films Descendants 2 and Descendants 3 in 2017 and 2019.

She is also a singer who along with her sisters, Sierra and Lauryn, started a music group, 3 McClaingirls, in 2005. Your Biggest Fan, a duet with Nick Jonas, appeared on the soundtrack album Jonas L.A. as her debut commercial single in 2010.

China Anne McClain is one of the most successful actors and musicians today.  She is also among the Young Black Actors you should follow in 2023.

15. Storm Reid

Storm Reid, born July 1, 2003, is an American actress. After playing a small role in the television film A Cross to Bear (2012), she made her acting debut with an appearance in the period drama film 12 Years a Slave in 2013.

Reid earned recognition for a starring role in the superhero film Sleight (2016), and the fantasy film A Wrinkle in Time (2018), both of which she received nominations for the Teen Choice Award.

She currently stars in the HBO drama series Euphoria (2019–present) and played a minor role in the superhero film The Suicide Squad (2021). A rising star in the film industry, Reid is one of the young black actors you should follow in 2023 and beyond.

16. Halle Bailey

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Halle Lynn Bailey is an American vocalist, songwriter, and actress who along with her sister, Chlöe Bailey, formed the singing duo Chloe x Halle, for which they have received five Grammy Award nominations.

She also played a supporting actor role in the television comedy series Grown-ish for which she was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards.

In addition to playing Ariel in the live-action Disney film The Little Mermaid, which is based on the 1989 animated film of the same name, she will star in the 2023 adaptation of The Color Purple, which will be her most well-known part.

Along with her sister, Bailey lives in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and is one of the young black actors you should watch in 2023.

17. Cloe Bailey

Chloe Bailey – Photo Source:

Chloe Elizabeth Bailey (born July 1, 1998) is an American vocalist, songwriter, and actress better known by her stage name Chlöe. She is best known for being Halle Bailey’s sibling and a founder of the musical duo Chloe x Halle.

She made her solo début with “Have Mercy” in 2021 and her upcoming studio album, In Pieces, which will be released in March 2023. As an actor, Chloe has performed minor acting roles in films, including The Fighting Temptations (2003), starring Beyoncé, and the Disney television film Let It Shine (2012).

Along with her sister, Chloe lives in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and is one of the young black actors you should follow in 2023.

18. Jordan Fisher

Jordan Fisher 2016 – Photo by Jathan Wilson from

Jordan William Fisher is an American actor, vocalist, and dancer who have appeared on several television shows, including The Secret Life of the American Teenager in 2012 and Liv and Maddie from 2015 to 2017.  He has also featured in Rent: Live and appeared in the television movies Teen Beach Movie (2013), Teen Beach 2 (2015),

Additionally, he appeared in the 2020 Netflix movies Work It and To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. In She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Fisher played the part of Sea Hawk, which earned him some fame.

Although he is yet to land a big role in his acting career, he is a promising young actor with a bright future ahead of him and definitely worth to be followed in 2023.

19. Skai Jackson

Skai Johnson 2011 – Photo by MingleMediaTVNetwork from

Named as one of 2016’s Most Influential Teens by Time magazine, American actor Skai Jackson is most famous for her role in the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie (2011–2015), and in µþ³Ü²Ô°ì’d (2015–2018).

Jackson made her acting début in the movie Liberty Kid when she was five years old and she gave the voice of Glory Grant in the Marvel Rising series from 2018 to 2019. She also provided the voice of summer in the animated series DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders. (2019–2020).

20. Ama Qamata

Photo by Plus Africa TV from

Actress Amamkele Lithemba Qamata was born in South Africa on September 2, 1998. She is well-known for her performances as Puleng Khumalo in the popular Netflix series Blood & Water and as Buhle Ndaba in the Mzansi Magic series Gomora.

Qamata made her acting début on television in the SABC1 situation comedy My Perfect Family at the age of 17. She has also appeared in Rhythm City and Commandos: The Mission. The 25-year-old actor is set to star in Matthew Leutwyler’s upcoming sports film Fight Like a Girl alongside Hakeem Kae-Kazim.

Although not yet well known internationally, Amamkele Lithemba Qamata is one of the most promising young black actors from the African continent and she definitely deserves to be followed in 2023.

21. Algee Smith

Born on November 7, 1994, Algee Smith IV is an American actor and vocalist. He first gained notoriety for his portrayal of Ralph Tresvant in BET’s The New Edition Story miniseries after playing a number of minor television roles.

He won praise from critics for his performance as Larry Reed in Kathryn Bigelow’s movie Detroit that same year. In the HBO drama series Euphoria, he played the football star Christopher “Chris” McKay.

Still young, charismatic, and full of energy, there is no doubt that Smith has a bright future in his acting career. 

22. Trevor Jackson

Trevor Jackson – Photo Source:

Trevor Howard Lawrence Jackson, an American actor, singer, and composer was born on August 30, 1996.  He is best known for his acting roles in Syfy’s original series Eureka, Free form’s Grown-ish and Disney Channel’s Let It Shine.

Trevor also made noteworthy cameos in the Broadway production of The Lion King, where he played the Young Simba, and on the television shows Cold Case and Harry’s Law as a guest star.  He was honored with The Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV in 2012.

23. Dominique Thorne

Born on November 8, 1997, Dominique is a leading American Actress. She became known after she made appearances in the movies Judas and the Black Messiah and If Beale Street Could Talk in 2018.  ( (2021).

She began playing Ironheart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022 and she is one of the young black actors you should follow in 2023.

24. Miles Brown

Miles Brown, also known by his stage moniker Baby Boogaloo, is an American actor, dancer, and rapper.  He became famous for his role on the ABC comedic series Black-ish where he acted as Jack Johnson.

In 2014, Brown starred alongside Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson in ‘ ABC comedic series Black-ish. He has received nominations for the BET Young Stars Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four NAACP Image Awards for his role as Jack Johnson on the program.

He also received a Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actor Performance in a TV Series and is one of the young black actors you should keep yours on in 2023.

25. Keith Powers

Best known for his performances as Tyree in the movie Straight Outta Compton, Keith Tyree Powers is an American actor, model, and performer who made the decision to pursue acting full-time after traveling to South Africa for the filming.

He portrayed Cameron Drake in the Netflix original movie Reality High and Gutta in the BET hip-hop compilation series Tales.

Keith also played Ronnie DeVoe in The New Edition Story and has been a co-star in Famous in Love on Freeform since April 2017. He also appears in the what/If Netflix series.

26. Marcus Scribner

Marcus Scribner – Photo by Cage Skidmore from

Born on January 7, 2000,  Marcus Scribner is a famous American actor who is best known for starring as Andre “Junior” Johnson Jr. in all eight seasons of the ABC sitcom Black-ish.

For roles in the season of Black-ish, Scribner earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy. In Pixar’s animated film The Good Dinosaur from 2015, Scribner provided the character of Buck.

In the fourth season of Black-ish, Scribner assumes a more significant position following the premiere of the Freeform spin-off Grown-ish and in 2018 there was an announcement that Scribner would appear in the suspenseful movie Confessional.

27. Riele Downs

Riele Downs is a Canadian actor who was born on July 8, 2001. She made her acting debut as a young kid in the movie The Best Man Holiday (2013). In 2014, Charlotte, the titular character’s best friend, was cast as her first major leading part in the Nickelodeon television series Henry Danger.

She also appeared in the 2017 Nickelodeon television movie Tiny Christmas alongside Lizzy Greene and played the title character of Darby Harper in the Hulu movie Darby and the Dead in 2022.

Despite her relatively young age, Riele is making great progress in her acting career, and she is definitely one of the young black actors you should follow in 2023

28. Tyrel Jackson Williams

Tyrel Jackson Williams was born on March 16, 1997, and first appeared in the motion pictures Failure to Launch and The Naked Brothers Band in 2006, aged only 9 years. He has also made nationwide television appearances in commercials for brands like Target, Verizon, McDonald’s, Chex Mix, and General Mills.

Williams played the younger Chris, in two episodes of the 2005 television series Everybody Hates Chris. Williams was hired in 2011 to portray the lead character of Leo, who discovers the existence of the show’s titular bionic heroes, in the Disney XD series Lab Rats, which debuted in 2012.

In the 2016 IFC comedy series Brockmire, Williams played Charles, an internet whiz hired to be the assistant to a minor league baseball squad and its sports announcer (Hank Azaria).

29. Antonia Gentry

American actor Antonia Gentry was born on September 25, 1997. She is best known for roles in the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia (2021–present), where she plays the character of Virginia “Ginny” Miller.

In the cause of her career, Gentry has played other various minor roles including two short films in 2015. She also played Lilly in the romance comedy Candy Jar in 2020 and appeared in one episode of the superhero drama Raising Dion.

30. Madison Pettis

Actress Madison Michelle Pettis was born in the United States on July 22, 1998. Her most well-known performances include Sophie Martinez on the Disney Channel comedy series Cory in the House, Peyton Kelly in the 2007 movie The Game Plan, and Allie Brooks in the 2011 Canadian comedy series Life with Boys.

She started playing a regular part on the Disney XD show Lab Rats in 2012 and announced on her Facebook page on October 19, 2014, that she would be a guest character on The Fosters.

She was given a vocal part in the television movie prequel The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar as well as the Disney Channel animated series The Lion Guard in 2015. Madison Michelle Pettis is a very talented actress with a bright future ahead of her and you should keep an eye on her in 2023.