The Woman King's historical story brings together a big cast in its tale of the all-female Agojie warriors of the Dahomey nation. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood of The Old Guard fame, The Woman King stars Viola Davis as General Nanisca the leader of the Agojie, who stand as the Dahomey nation's fiercest line of defense. Though numerous characters in The Woman King are fictional, others like John Boyega's Dahomey King Ghezo give the film a firm grounding in history.
In The Woman King, the Dahomey rescue a group of captive women, with Nanisca inviting them to train to become Agojie warriors while informing them of its firm tradition of the Agojie forsaking marriage and motherhood. The Dahomey soon face a new challenge in battling the Oyo Empire, who sell captives into slavery for European weaponry. With Nanisca leading the charge against the slave traders, one Agojie student named Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) becomes a major linchpin in her story.
The Woman King has drawn a very strong response for its epic action scenes and Viola Davis bringing her Amanda Waller energy in her performance as Nanisca. The Woman King also includes strong performances from its supporting cast as well, which boasts such big names as Lashana Lynch, John Boyega, and others, along with rising stars and up-and-comers like Sheila Atim and Thuso Mbedu, with the Agojie warrior cast having gone through significant training for the film's action-packed story. Here is the cast of The Woman King and the various roles they portray in the movie.
Violas Davis as Nanisca
The veteran warrior and general of the Agojie, Nanisca, is portrayed by Violas Davis. In her overall body of work, Davis is well-known for her portrayal of the sinister Amanda Waller in the DC Extended Universe, specifically in the movies Suicide Squad and The Suicide Squad, along with the HBO Max series Peacemaker and with Amanda Waller also in Black Adam. Davis has also done significant stage work on Broadway, while her other major film credits include Get On Up, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (both alongside the late Chadwick Boseman), Lila & Eve, and Denzel Washingston's 2016 drama Fences, for which she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Thuso Mbedu as Nawi
Thuso Mbedu makes her big-screen debut as the up-and-coming Agojie warrior Nawi in The Woman King. The South African-born Mbedu has previously had roles on numerous TV series, including leading Saints and Sinners as Boni Khumalo. Other shows she has appeared in include Isibaya, Scandal!, Generations: The Legacy, and The Underground Railroad.
Lashana Lynch as Izogie
Nanisca's trusted second-in-command Izogie in The Woman King is played by Lashana Lynch. Audiences may know Lynch best for her roles as Maria Rambeau in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, specifically in Captain Marvel and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as well as her portrayal of MI6 agent Nomi in the 2021 James Bond movie No Time To Die. Lynch can also be seen in movies like The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud and Ear for Eye, along with TV shows like Crims, Still-Star Crossed, and Bulletproof.
Sheila Atim as Amenza
The dream-interpreting Agojie warrior Amenza is portrayed in The Woman King by Sheila Atim. Having performed in many Shakespeare productions in London theaters like Shakespeare's Globe and the Bush Theatre, Atim has previously been seen on television in shows like Harlots, Bounty Hunters, and The Underground Railroad. Atim's previous film credits also include Twelfth Night, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and 2022's Pinocchio, with Sheila Atim also in Bruised, which marked Halle Berry's directorial debut.
John Boyega as King Ghezo
The historically-based King Ghezo was an actual king of the Dahomey as depicted in The Woman King, with John Boyega portraying him in the film. Boyega made his film debut in 2011's Attack the Block, and shot to worldwide recognition with his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Boyega can also be seen in other movies like Half of a Yellow Sun, Pacific Rim: Uprising, and Breaking, along with TV series like 24: Live Another Day and Major Lazer.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Santo Ferreira
In The Woman King, Heore Fiennes Tiffin portrays Santo Ferreira, a Portuguese businessman connected to the slave trade. Fiennes Tiffin famously played the young Tom Riddle a.k.a. Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Fiennes Tiffin later appeared in the romantic drama trilogy comprising After We Collided, After We Fell, and After Ever Happy, while his TV work includes shows like Safe and Cleaning Up.
Supporting Characters
Jimmy Odukoya as Oba Ade: The leader of the Dahomey's rival Oyo Empire Oba Ade is played in The Woman King by Jimmy Odukoya. In his previous body of work, Odukoya has appeared in films like The Bosslady, Wedding Plan, and Team Six.
Adrienne Warren as Ode: Warren makes her film debut with The Woman King, with her theater work including productions of The Wiz, Dream Girls, and Bring It On.
Jayme Lawson as Shante: Lawson's can also be seen in Matt Reeves's Gotham City-based superhero movie The Batman and How to Blow Up a Pipeline, along with her 2020 film debut Farewell Amor.
Masali Baduza as Fumbe: Baduza was previously seen in shows like Trackers and Noughts + Crosses, along with the 2021 remake of Slumber Party Massacre.
Angélique Kidjo as the Meunon: Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo has had an acclaimed musical career, while she has also been seen on shows like Christmas Flow and films like The CEO.
Jordan Bolger as Malik: Jordan Bolger can also be seen in 2021's Tom and Jerry, as well as shows like The 100, The Book of Boba Fett, and the martial arts series Into the Badlands.
Thando Dlomo as Kelu: Thando Dlomo makes her film debut with The Woman King.
Zozibini Tunzi as Efe South African model Zozibini Tunzi makes her movie debut with The Woman King.
Makgotso M as Iniya: Makgotso M made her movie debut with 2015's Ayanda, and has also been seen on shows like Is'Thunzi and Shuga.
Siv Ngesi as the Migan: Prior to The Woman King, Ngesi's film credits include movies like The World Unseen, Invictus, and Knuckle City, along with TV shows like Still Breathing and JIVA!