The Judas and the Black Messiah cast brings the story of a man who infiltrated the Black Panthers to life with several recognizable stars. Directed by Shaka King, Judas and the Black Messiah primarily centers on the events that preceded the 1969 assassination of Fred Hampton, a 21-year-old Black Panther leader who served as Chairman for the Illinois chapter. King co-wrote Judas and the Black Messiah with Will Berson, and filmmaker Ryan Coogler co-produced the historical drama.
Set in Chicago, Judas and the Black Messiah reveals how a criminal named William O'Neal managed to infiltrate the Black Panther party after being arrested for impersonating a police officer. He joins forces with FBI agent Roy Mitchell, and devises a plan to become the personal driver for the aforementioned Hampton. As O'Neal becomes immersed in the organization, he feels skeptical about turning on the Black Panthers, which sets up the primary conflict throughout the HBO Max film.
Judas and the Black Messiah's main cast includes some big names like Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield, both of whom appeared in Get Out together. But there's also several other actors whom audiences may recognize from various movies and TV shows over the years.
Daniel Kaluuya As Fred Hampton
Daniel Kaluuya stars as Fred Hampton, the Deputy Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther party. Kaluuya starred as Chris Washington in Get Out and Slim in Queen & Slim. He also appeared as Reggie Wayne in Sicario, W'Kabi in Black Panther, and Jatemme Manning in Widows.
Lakeith Stanfield As William O'Neal
Lakeith Stanfield co-stars as William O'Neal, an FBI informant who becomes a security captain for the Black Panthers. Stanfield delivered breakout performances as Marcus in Short Term 12 and Jimmie Lee Jackson in Selma. In recent years, he portrayed Cassius Green in Sorry to Bother You and Lieutenant Elliott in Knives Out. Stanfield also voiced Guy in Bojack Horseman on Netflix.
Jesse Plemons As Roy Mitchell
Jesse Plemons portrays Roy Mitchell, an FBI agent who believes the Black Panthers aim to sow hatred and inspire terror. Plemons is best known for Emmy-nominated performances in Fargo season 2 and Black Mirror season 4. He also portrayed Todd in Breaking Bad, Chuckie O'Brien in The Irishman, Jake in I'm Thinking of Ending Things, and Gary Kingsbury in Game Night.
Dominique Fishback As Deborah Johnson
Dominique Fishback appears as Deborah Johnson, Fred's girlfriend who is pregnant with their child. Fishback portrayed Donna "Darlene" Picket in The Deuce and Kenya in The Hate U Give. Previously, she appeared as Keisha in The Affair season 1 and Nicole in The Americans season 3.
Martin Sheen As J. Edgar Hoover
Martin Sheen portrays J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI director who wants to prevent the rise of the "Black Messiah," and thus targets Fred Hampton as his enemy. In pop culture, Sheen is best known for his starring role as Kit in Badlands and Captain Benjamin L. Willard in Apocalypse Now. He also co-starred as Queenan in The Departed and currently headlines Grace and Frankie as Robert Hanson.
Darrell Britt-Gibson As Bobby Rush
Darrell Britt-Gibson appears as Bobby Rush, the co-founder of the Black Panther's Illinois chapter. Britt-Gibson portrayed Shitstain in You're the Worst and Jermaine Jefrint in Barry on HBO. He also appeared as Trunk in Keanu and Jerome in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Algee Smith As Jake Winters
Algee Smith portrays Jake Winters, one of Fred's party members. Smith portrayed Larry in Detroit and Khalil in The Hate U Give. He also appeared as Chris McKay in Euphoria season 1.
Nicholas Velez As José Cha Cha Jiménez
Nicholas Velez appears as José Cha Cha Jiménez, the founder of the Young Lords who forms an alliance with the Black Panthers. Velez portrayed Officer McGreevy in Blue Bloods and Manuel in The Deuce on HBO.
Terayle Hill As George Sams
Terayle Hill portrays George Sams (depicted above in a courtroom sketch), the security captain for the New Haven chapter of the Black Panthers who tells William about killing an informant named Alex Rackley. Hill portrayed Jojo Reese in Blue Bloods and Spencer in Love, Simon. Cobra Kai fans will recognize him as Trey.
Ian Duff As Doc Satchel
Ian Duff portrays Doc Satchel, a Black Panther member who handles incoming calls. Ian Duff appeared as Mbengah in Homeland season 6 and Michael Duke in New Amsterdam.
Jermaine Fowler As Mark Clark
Jermaine Fowler portrays Mark Clark, the Deputy Minister of Defense for the Peoria chapter of the Black Panthers. Fowler portrayed Russell in Crashing, Graham in Buffaloed, and voiced Pete Repeat in BoJack Horseman.
Judas & The Black Messiah's Supporting Cast
Dominique Thorne (Above) as Judy Harmon: A member of Fred's inner circle within the Black Panther party. Dominique Thorne portrayed Sheila Hunt in If Beale Street Could Talk and will soon headline Ironheart as Riri Williams.
Ashton Sanders as Jimmy Palmer: Jake's close friend, a Black Panther member who is shot by police. Ashton Sanders starred as Chiron in Moonlight and Miles Whitaker in The Equalizer 2. He also appeared as Bobby Diggs in Wu-Tang: An American Saga.
Lil Rel Howery as Wayne: A mysterious figure who confronts William at a bar. Lil Rel Howery portrayed Rod Williams in Get Out and Charlie in Bird Box.
Robert Longstreet as Special Agent Carlyle: Roy's colleague. Robert Longstreet portrayed Mr. Dudley in The Haunting of Hill House and Barry the Chunk in Doctor Sleep.
AJ Carr as Anthony Timmons: A teenager who William tries to rob during the opening sequence. Carr portrayed Stick in The Chi and Erik Dole in All American on Netflix.
Khris Davis as Steel: The leader of the Crowns. Khris Davis portrayed Tracy in Atlanta and Agent Randolph in The Blacklist.
Nick Fink as Fesperman: The leader of the Young Patriots. Nick Fink portrayed Sean in The Fosters and Ryan Clarke in Legacies.
Alysia Joy Powell as Mrs. Winters: Jake's mother. Alysia Joy Powell portrayed Wyndolyn Capers in Orange Is the New Black.
Tone Tank as Officer Carcetti: A cop who taunts the Black Panthers and inadvertently starts a shoot-out. Tone Tank portrayed Jackie in Newlyweeds and Mikey in Dad Day.
James Bruner as Officer Williams: Carcetti's colleague. James Bruner is best known for writing the Chuck Norris movies Missing in Action and The Delta Force.
Brian Bowman as Reg: A janitor who is confronted by Jake. Brian Bowman portrayed Winston in ST. Gabriel.
Tyra Joy Smith as Tracy Randle: A Black Panther who urges Fred to re-locate to Algeria. Tyra Joy Smith portrayed Jessye in New Amsterdam.