Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Cast & Marvel Character Guide

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever cast and character guide. Following the success of 2018’s Black Panther, director Ryan Coogler returns to helm its sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film is the first in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to feel the absence of Chadwick Boseman, who the film pays tribute to after he sadly passed away in 2020.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever brings back the characters from the first film, including Shuri and Okoye, while introducing new ones to the MCU canon, like Namor. The MCU sequel’s cast is bursting at the seams and it has a couple of unexpected character appearances as well. Here is a full guide to every actor in the cast, which characters they portray, and what other roles they’re known for.

Letitia Wright As Princess Shuri/Black Panther

Shuri is princess of Wakanda, the younger sister of T’Challa, and the daughter of Queen Ramonda. She is a tech genius who creates new technology and suits to aid Wakanda and the Dora Milaje. In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Shuri becomes the next Black Panther, taking over her brother’s mantle and those who came before him. Shuri is portrayed by Letitia Wright, who is best known for her roles in Black Mirror, The Silent Twins, the whodunit mystery Death on the Nile, Ready Player One, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia

Nakia standing on a beach in Black Panther 2

Nakia operates as an undercover spy for Wakanda, but has since left her country to settle in Haiti, where she teaches children. Nakis is portrayed by Lupita Nyong’o, who is best known for her roles in Us, The 355, Black Panther, 12 Years a Slave, and Queen of Katwe.

Danai Gurira as Okoye

Okoye is the general of the Dora Milaje, Wakanda’s all-women warriors, and whose loyalty to Wakanda knows no bounds. Okoye is portrayed by Danai Gurira, who is best known for Black Panther and playing Michonne in The Walking Dead. She’s also been in The Visitor, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda

Ramonda is the queen of Wakanda, the mother of the late T’Challa and Shuri. Following T’Challa’s death, Ramonda leads Wakanda in his place. The queen is portrayed by Angela Bassett, who is best known for her roles in the TV series 9-1-1, American Horror Story, Olympus Has Fallen, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, among several other notable films and series throughout her long career.

Winston Duke as M'Baku

Winston Duke pointing his finger as M'Baku in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

M’Baku is the leader of the Jabari, a mountainous tribe previously separate from the rest of Wakanda. M’Baku now serves on Queen Ramonda’s council and aids Wakanda in making decisions both personal and for the country. M’Baku is portrayed by Winston Duke, who is best known for his role in Jordan Peele’s horror film Us, Nine Days, the TV series Person of Interest and the MCU movies Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams/Ironheart

An image of Riri Williams using contraptions in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Riri Williams is a 19-year-old student at MIT who builds something that can track vibranium across the planet. Riri Williams, whose origin as Ironheart is told in Wakanda Forever, is portrayed by Dominique Thorne, who is known for her roles in Judas and the Black Messiah, If Beale Street Could Talk, and will star in the upcoming Marvel Disney+ series Ironheart.

Tenoch Huerta As Namor

Namor, who is known to his people as K’uk’ulkan, the feathered serpent god, is the king of Talokan, an underwater civilization made up of people who lived in 16th century Mesoamerica. He is the first person who was born with the effects of vibranium, which gave him pointed ears and wings on his ankles. Namor is played by Tenoch Huerta, who is known for the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico, the horror film The Forever Purge, and Son of Monarchs.

Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross

Everett Ross is a CIA operative and an ally to Wakanda. Ross is portrayed by Martin Freeman, who is best known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy, The World’s End, the TV series Sherlock, Fargo, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Supporting Cast, Character & Cameo Guide

Florence Kasumba as Ayo - Ayo is Okoye’s second-in-command of the Dora Milaje. Florence Kasumba is best known for the live-action The Lion King, Wonder Woman, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Black Panther.

Michaela Coel as Aneka - Aneka is a member of the Dora Milaje. Michaela Coel is best known for Chewing Gum, I May Destroy You, and Black Earth Rising.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine - Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is a CIA operative and Everett Ross’ boss, as well as his ex-wife. She previously appeared in Captain America and the Winter Soldier and Black Widow. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is best known for the comedy series Seinfeld, Enough Said, and the TV series Veep.

Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger - Killmonger is in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, despite having died in Black Panther. He appears in one scene and for a very specific reason. Michael B. Jordan is best known for his roles in Creed, Fruitvale Station, Just Mercy, Chronicle, and the TV series Parenthood.

Isaach de Bankolé as River Tribe Elder - The River Tribe Elder is a member of the Wakandan council. Isaach de Bankolé is known for his roles in the James Bond movie Casino Royale, Shaft, and the TV series 24.

Dorothy Steel as Merchant Tribe Elder - Merchant Tribe Elder is a member of the Wakandan council to the king or queen. Dorothy Steel is known for Saints & Sinners and Black Panther.

Danny Sapani as Border Tribe Elder - Border Tribe Elder is also a member of the Wakandan council. Danny Sapani is best known for Trance, The Oxford Murders, Killing Eve, and the Hulu series Harlots.

María Mercedes Coroy as Namor’s mother - Namor’s mother was a Mayan woman who lived in the 16th century and was pregnant with Namor when they were transformed. María Mercedes Coroy is best known for the Guatemalan film La Llorona.

Mabel Cadena as Namora - Namora is Namor’s cousin and a Talokan warrior. Mabel Cadena is best known for Dance of the 41.

Alex Livinalli as Attuma - Attuma is a Talokan warrior who fights alongside Namor. Alex Livinalli is best known for the TV series Queen of the South, Longmire, and Ozark.

Lake Bell as Dr. Graham - Dr. Graham is a scientist who was trying to dig for vibranium. Lake Bell is best known for her roles in How to Make it in America, the animated series Harley Quinn, where she voices Poison Ivy, and The Secret Life of Pets.

Anderson Cooper as himself - Anderson Cooper appears in a cameo role, playing himself on the news in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Next: Why Black Panther 2's Reviews Are So Positive (& What Critics Don't Like)