As David Jonsson prepares for the role of a lifetime—taking on the mantle of the new Black Panther for the third iteration of the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise—many viewers are wondering who exactly this new face is. After all, the British actor is still relatively new in Hollywood, only having a handful of American projects under his belt within the last 10 years.
But if we’re going to embrace him as the son of T’Challa (and to some degree, the new carrier of the late Chadwick Boseman’s legacy in this franchise), then we might ought to familiarize ourselves with some of his past work. And lucky for you, we’ve rounded up a handful of his notable projects so you can be all the way up on his acting prowess before Black Panther 3 hits theaters in December 2028.
“The Long Walk”
Released in 2025, “The Long Walk” is the film adaptation of Stephen King’s 1979 novel of the same name. It centers around a group of boys from all walks (ha!) of life who compete in an annual contest in which they have to walk at the speed of 3.0 until there’s only one man standing at the end. The competition takes place in a dystopian future and serves as a perfect vehicle for Jonsson to show off his range. And trust us when we tell you, you’re going to walk away feeling some type of way by the time this movie is over.
Where to Stream: HBO Max
Related: Why Black Folks Are Mad at Marvel’s New British Black Panther
“Rye Lane”
If you’re a romcom lover, then you’re going to fall head over hills over the 2023 film, “Rye Lane,” starring Jonsson and Vivian Oparah. The film centers around two strangers who have recently gone through breakups and decide to spend a day getting to know each other while subconsciously working through their own respective issues and eventually falling for each other. This movie has all the elements of a true romantic comedy and Jonsson is endearing in this one, so make sure you tap in!
Where to Stream: Hulu
“Alien: Romulus”
For the sci-fi fans among us, “Alien: Romulus” follows a group of young space colonizers who stumble upon a horrific nightmare that resides in an abandoned space station. In this film, Jonsson portrays an android whose evolving personality quickly makes him one of the movie’s most fascinating characters. His performance is so layered, he nearly steals every scene he’s in! Even with all the creepiness, it’s still worth a watch for him alone.
Where to Stream: Hulu
“Industry”
Though he left after season two in 2022, Jonsson also starred in HBO’s hit drama, “Industry,” which follows a group of ambitious young bankers fighting to survive the cutthroat world of high finance in London. In it, he played Gus Sackey, an smart Oxford graduate whose personal values often clash with the ruthless culture around him. His absence still has some fans crying for his return to this day, so definitely check this one out!
Where to Stream: HBO Max
“Wasteman”
“Wasteman” tells the story of a imprisoned, young Black man who is trying his hardest to survive his last days on the inside when he gets an extremely volatile cellmate that threatens his freedom. Jonsson delivers a deeply raw, vulnerable, and emotional performance in this movie that’ll leave you thinking well after the credits roll. If you can handle “The Long Walk,” then this one will be right up your alley, too.
Where to Stream: You can rent or buy in on Prime Video, Apple TV or Fandango At Home
Honorable Mention: “Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy”
In this stylish mystery, Jonsson stars as Luke Fitzwilliam, a man whose search for the truth uncovers far more than he expected. His role in this one is fun to watch as he effortlessly balances that classic whodunit charm and wit and just the right amount of intrigue. Add this to the queue ASAP!
Where to Stream: Prime Video with the BritBox Add-On
