10 Best Black Male Actors In TV Dramas

10 Best Black Male Actors In TV Dramas

From The Wire to Boston Public, television is filled with phenomenal black actors. These are the ones who have been leading the charge.

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African-American characters over the years have had their name as top-billing or as prominent co-stars in some of the best primetime TV shows to date. From a little known Denzel Washington as a doctor to one of the most ruthless characters ever in television, Omar Little of The Wire, we’ve seen some of the best to ever do it.

Even with the success of black actors, it was never easy. It was never about the stereotypes as the actors on this list proved over time they have the range to tackle any roles. Here are the 10 best black male characters in a TV drama.

10 Michael K. Williams (The Wire)

Widely regarded as one of the best TV shows ever, The Wire featured a cast of characters that also has to be mentioned as some of the best. But one, in particular, stood out among them all. Omar Little was not your average character. Although surrounded by drugs, he didn’t sell them, he just robbed the neighborhood dealers.

As dangerous as he was, he was well-respected even by his enemies. But most importantly, he was well-loved by the loyal fans of The Wire. His death sent shockwaves through the black community as a beloved character met his demise.

9 Denzel Washington (St Elsewhere)

Philip Chandler dealt with what many in the black community has labeled as being black in a white body. Growing up in the suburb of Chicago, Chandler went through an identity crisis of sorts. He overcame that but entered the field of medicine with a chip on his shoulder. He was deemed more mature than most of his colleagues and that stemmed from him believing he had to work twice as hard.

With great success came more responsibility and Chandler left his new position as Chief Resident and moved to Mississippi with Roxanne, leaving the medical field behind altogether.

8 Jesse L. Martin (Law and Order)

Being a cop is hard enough as it, but being the new guy and entering with his own agenda makes the job even harder. For Ed Green, he entered the force as if the times called for a Wild Wild West approach. Needless to say, his approach didn’t go over well with his partner or fellow officers.

Green learned to curve his urges but going through partners as often as the time changes took its toll on the detective. After a near brush with death, Green knew he was on borrowed time. Still dealing with the ramifications of his early years regarding his rule-bending, Green called it a career.

7 Blair Underwood (L.A. Law)

There needed to be a change. There had to be someone who would come in and shake things up in the primetime slot. L.A. Law was successful but it needed a shot in the arm. There is where Jonathan Rollins came in, played by Blaire Underwood. L.A. Law covered the elite and at times, not those in that lifestyle. Rollins was just as you would have expected him to be.

He was brash, bold and often bumped heads with the managing partners. However, he was good at what he did. Essentially, Rollins would move onto a bigger role in the show as other characters departed. There were rumors that his character was based on former President Barack Obama.

6 Jussie Smollett (Empire)

Despite his off-camera issues, Jessie Smollett is a great actor. His character Jamal Lyon was trendsetting and provided a voice to the LGBT Community. His voice is sultry and gave Empire a sound that has been missing since the days of Glee. The issues his character had to face, not only in the media and public eye but in his own family spoke volumes.

His absence this season has been missed. He was the son who dealt with the most in terms of relationships, standards, and the weight of carrying the Lyon tradition.

5 Howard E. Rollins (In The Heat of The Night)

Sometimes it’s best to go back home. That was the story for Virgil Tibbs. A police detective in Philadelphia, Tibbs traveled back to the small town of Sparta for his mother’s funeral and was offered a job as the lead detective there. The issue was, he was now working under the tight supervision of Bill Gillespie.

The two were often at odds but there was no denying how much of a great team they were when they were clicking on all cylinders. Tibbs was hard-nosed and often too smart for his own good but he knew the job.

4 Philip Michael Thomas (Miami Vice)

Back in the ’80s, drugs ruled Miami. From street dealers to Cartel leaders, Miami Vice hit all demographics. While Don Johnson garnered more attention as James Crokett, Ricardo Tubbs held his weight. If a black actor wanted to be a cop, it was more than likely because of Tubbs.

Miami Vice was different. There was no need for Triple Fat Goose coats and Timberland boots. Tubbs wore flower prints shirts, white khaki pants, and a gold chain. He had style, was a ladies man, but best of all, he was one heck of a detective.

3 Malik Yoba (New York Undercover)

There were many black actors who have played police officers over the years, however, New York Undercover gave a voice to the community. J.C. Williams wore the same clothes as young adults. He spoke the same slang and if not for a badge, you wouldn’t know he was a cop. His character went beyond skin color.

New York Undercover was out at the height of hip-hop and was able to pull the masses in with clothes and music. Right at the forefront was Williams with his in-your-face style and bravado.

2 Idris Elba (The Wire)

Two characters from the same show? It’s no coincidence there. Stringer Bell was what every hustler wanted to be. He made his money and tried to get out of the game. Bell went to business school, invested in real estate, and wanted to go legit. Was he without his demons? No. Regardless of what he did on the outside, he was still that same guy who was raised in those tough Baltimore streets.

Bell was power. Not like his partner Avon Barksdale but he held his own weight in two different worlds. His demise was not because of greed, Bell saw a bigger picture where others didn’t.

1 Chi McBride (Boston Public)

A black principal, Steven Harper had tons of issues to deal with at Winslow High School. Issues concerning drugs, disrespectful students, and teachers who carried their personal demons into the classrooms. There were times where it appeared Harper would lose it all, but he held his ground with a purpose to make his school the best in the District.

Leading the youth has always been a good role for actors but to see an African-American male in that position offered hope. It was tough, but Steven Harper was able to put his best foot forward each season.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/greatest-african-american-television-drama-actors/

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