More Black Excellence: Horror, Sci-fi Characters to Exalt this Black History Month
Interview with the Vampire, Lovecraft Country, Sinners and Candyman Stars Shine Bright
Wunmi Mosaku. Jurnee Smollett. Tony Todd. Tramell Tillman. Wesley Snipes. Angela Bassett. Michael B. Jordan.
These are just a handful of the outstanding Black actors who are part of sci-fi and horror history.
But as is always the case, someone had to walk so their contemporary characters could run.
Respect to boundary-breaking pioneers, including Duane Jones, lead of “Night of the Living Dead,” and Nichelle Nichols, the brains-and-beauty icon of Star Trek.
In honor of the life they bring to the genres, I’m devoting today’s I Dream of Screams to both celebrated and unsung contemporary talent who have at least two horror or sci-fi credits to their names.
With 10 days remaining in our all-too-brief Black History Month celebration, I challenge you to check out their handiwork and, if that doesn’t afford you enough time, do what I do: keep the celebration going indefinitely.
Wunmi Mosaku as “Ruby” and “Annie”
Along with her co-stars Jurnee Smollett, Michael K. Williams, Courtney B. Vance, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Wunmi’s talents are undeniable as the brooding, beautiful, and complicated “Ruby Baptiste” in the gone-too-soon “Lovecraft Country” series.
Her fragile relationship with sister “Lettie” (Smollett), as well as a smoldering, ill-advised love affair with a mysterious Alexander Skarsgard look-alike, were vital parts of this critically acclaimed masterpiece.
Saying this cast was stacked is an obvious understatement, but Wunmi gets her due on this list because she followed this role with electrifying turns in both “Loki” and awards juggernaut and people’s champ “Sinners.” As “Annie,” Mosaku drew out even more depth and nuance as a grieving mother, partner and healer. Her convincing chemistry with Michael B. Jordan’s “Smoke” leapt off the screen.
Though her counterpart, “Mary” Hailee Steinfeld, initially dominated the trailers, memes and mainstream press, we now know which twin’s flame burned the brightest.
Jurnee Smollett as “Leti” and “Rosalee”
I might get mistaken for the President of the Jurnee Smollett fan club, and I wouldn’t be offended at all. Smollett’s acting skill has been evident since her career beginnings as an adorable cherub carrying scenes on Martin, Full House, and Eve’s Bayou.
Nowadays, you can check her out in recent projects including Apple TV+’s “Smoke,” opposite Taron Egerton, but I prefer you start with “Lovecraft Country” so you can see her working with Mosaku.
She also ate DOWN in Underground, which may not be characterized as “horror” by the formal standard, but I’d argue that a series about escaping enslavement and its cruelest captors is more frightening than most fiction.
Tony Todd as “Candyman” and “William Bludworth”
I’m going to avoid delving into the love story at the core of Candyman because I find it hard to explain why a Black man murdered for an ill-timed interracial love affair focuses most of his supernatural serial killing spree on Black folks living in a housing project.
I can, however, acknowledge that Tony Todd—may he rest in peace—was a gorgeous man with an elegance that transcended any project he happened to star in. His deep, gravelly voice and arresting stare made him a horror icon, akin to Jason, Freddy, Michael, and company. I also love the enigmatic character he portrays in the mostly silly Final Destination series.
Though the franchise is mostly known for weaponizing log trucks, roller coasters, racecar tracks, and other random household items, Todd’s cool and dispassionate exchanges with “Death’s” latest targets brought it gravitas. His final bow in the role was poignant, and it was beautiful to finally witness his origin story and connection to Death amid the rest of the Wile E. Coyote-meets-Grim Reaper mayhem.
Tramell Tillman as “Seth Milchick”
There is a reason Tramell Tillman has dominated awards season for his performance as the ultimate “company man” in Apple TV+’s hit series Severance.
From his deceptively gregarious demeanor to unhinged team-building exercises to his menacing pursuit of AWOL Lumon Industries employees, Tillman is a scene-stealing star. If you don’t believe the judges of the Golden Globes, Emmy Awards, or Critics Choice, check him out for yourself. Guaranteed that you’ll give him a high performance review.
Jacob Anderson as “Louis” and “Grey Worm”
My introduction to the talented Jacob Anderson was in his role as the stoic, loyal “Grey Worm” on Game of Thrones. Sworn to protect the Mother of Dragons, the character eventually evolved and fell in love with handmaiden Missandei, creating a tiny morsel of #BlackLove in the George R. R. Martin adaptation.
When I heard that Anderson was going to take on the role of “Louis de Pointe du Lac” in AMC’s serialized version of Interview with the Vampire, I must confess that I was scared for him.
Brad Pitt, after all, memorably undertook the role in the ’90s-era film. Though the erotic undertones between Louis and “Lestat de Lioncourt” (Tom Cruise) failed to launch in that version, it’s still a well-respected outing that gifted us with the genius that is Kirsten Dunst (“Claudia”).
My fears that the Anne Rice devotees would devour Anderson whole were (thankfully) misguided. His depiction as a Creole landowner fighting both systemic racism and homophobia breathes all new life into the character. And his toxic relationship with also immaculately cast Sam Reid’s Lestat will leave you wondering “Heated Rivalry” who? Louis’ deeply layered performance, particularly his relationship with (ahem) adopted daughter “Claudia,” earns him a spot at the top of Black actors in horror right now.
Michael B. Jordan as “Stack” and “Steve”
AMC’s acclaimed bloodsucker series segues nicely into the dazzling performance that Michael B. Jordan delivered as not one, but two brothers, “Smoke” and “Stack,” in “Sinners.”
Jordan takes his Stack performance to an even deeper dimension when the flashier, less guarded twin is turned by a culture-vulture vampiric force, leaving him hanging onto his humanity by a thread.
Though Jordan’s powerful Oscar-nominated performance is more than enough to earn him a spot on this list, another performance in the sci-fi classic, “Chronicle” demands attention.
As “Steve,” one of a group of teen boys who gain superpowers, the Hollywood heartthrob displayed the beginnings of his patented combination of vulnerability mixed with bravado.
Exhilaration at their abilities turns to fear and paranoia as one of the crew is corrupted by power, and Jordan’s character (as he did in “The Wire”) delivers a heartbreaking turn.
YOUR TURN
Who did I miss? Let me know and I’ll include them in a future post. Speaking of…
Brace yourselves, the BHM 2026 party is not over. I will definitely offer up a part two in coming days, focused on the creators behind some of horror and sci-fi’s most acclaimed entries. Until then, keep dreaming of screaming.
Excellent list! I'll submit Laurence Fishburne for The Matrix and The Signal. Can't wait to see him in the Exorcist reboot.