9 Black and Afro-Latino Actors to Watch

After Afro Latino actors and movies focused on Black characters were largely ignored over the years in award shows, Hollywood finally began to listen and make changes. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences launched a mega diversification effort, and last year at the Oscars, a record of six actors were nominated.

However, there’s still a lot of work to be done. It starts by casting actors of color as main characters on the screen and creating leading roles to represent our stories.

We’re breaking down some of the African American and Afro-Latinx actors who are thriving on the big screen and, perhaps, need more recognition moving forward – so listen up!

Regé-Jean Page

Let’s kick it off with the man of the hour – Netflix’s Bridgerton Duke of Hastings, played by Zimbabwean born British raised actor, Regé-Jean Page. You can find him on Netflix’s most popular show ever, but his trajectory goes way back.

Jarell Jerome

He has been representing himself and the Dominican community since his high school days. You can find him on When they See Us.

Dascha Polanco

Orange Is the New Black is one of our favorite shows on Netflix and one that will make sure we remember the dominican-american actress Dascha Polanco forever. 

Ismael Cruz Cordova

You can find this black Puerto rican actor on The Mandalorian, Ray Donovan, and Miss Bala.

Laz Alonso

Find him on The Boys, L.A.’s Finest and Power Book II: Ghost. Alonso was born in Washington, D.C. and is of Afro-Cuban descent. 

Gina Torres

Born to Cuban parents, Gina Torres has been leaving her mark since the early 90s on Law & Order. Check Gina out in her newest role on 9-1-1: Lone Star as Tommy Vega.

Luna Lauren Velez

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens among eight siblings including her twin sister Lorraine, Lauren Velez dreamt of becoming an actor ever since she played a groundhog in a school play during the second grade. Now she stars in Red Hour, currently in post-production and Dexter on ShowTime. 

DeWanda Wise – She’s gotta have it

DeWanda Wise starred in Spike Lee’s Netflix comedy-drama series She’s Gotta Have It, a contemporary update of his 1986 film. She stars along with Puerto Rican actor Anthony Ramos.

Anthony Ramos

Now this is one for the books! “His character on Insecure was originally Black and Mexican, but he convinced the writers to let him stay true to who he is, so he was able to make his character Black and Panamanian instead,” according to BuzzFeed. You can also find this Puerto rican actor on Good Trouble, Insecure, and Games People Play.