Colman Domingo’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

Through his powerful performances in various movies and television shows, Colman Domingo is one of the most impressive actors working today. Most of his early work as an actor was in various stage plays on Broadway as well as London’s West End, while also appearing in smaller parts in a number of TV shows like Law & Order. It wasn’t until the mid-2010s that Domingo had his first major breakout performance for his role in Fear the Walking Dead, a spin-off of AMC’s incredibly successful The Walking Dead.

Since then, Domingo has been one of the best actors working in Hollywood, earning numerous awards along the way, including two Academy Award nominations for his roles in Rustin and Sing Sing. He has appeared in multiple franchises as well, including Candyman and a prominent voice role as Norman Osborn in the cast of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

10

Candyman (2021)

Colman Domingo as William Burke

A brand-new entry into the underrated horror franchise, Candyman was a pleasant return to form as it played as a direct sequel to the 1992 film of the same name. Co-written by acclaimed horror director Jordan Peele, Candyman follows artist Anthony McCoy as he investigates the urban legend of the Candyman, a hook-handed killer who haunts the impoverished Cabrini-Green housing projects in Chicago. The newest entry in the franchise deepens the entire mythology while still being a satisfying and terrifying piece of horror in its own right.

Colman Domingo is phenomenal as William “Billy” Burke in the movie, a resident of Cabrini-Green, who tells Anthony about the legend of the Candyman. Domingo takes a villainous turn in Candyman, as he ends up being one of the film’s antagonists with Billy wanting to resurrect the Candyman in order to put an end to the systemic oppression of Black people in America. While his motives are noble, his actions suggest otherwise, and Domingo is able to portray his vengeful personality as something truly sinister.

9

First Match (2018)

Colman Domingo as Coach Castile

One of the best inspirational sports movies to come out in years, First Match is a powerful look at Monique (Elvire Emanuelle), a fostered teenage girl who decides to join her school’s all-boys wrestling team as a way back to her estranged father. First Match explores its premise with skill, as it focuses on father-daughter relationships throughout its emotionally powerful coming-of-age story. While it might follow some standard sports film beats, the movie succeeds in its earnestness and the powerful performances of its central cast.

Among the cast is a wonderful performance by Colman Domingo as Coach Castile, the wrestling team’s head coach, who gives Elvire Emanuelle’s Monique a chance to be part of the team. There is just something incredibly warm and charming about Domingo that bleeds easily into his performances, and it works quite well for his role in First Match. His understanding and compassion for Monique throughout the film is inspiring.

8

The Color Purple (2023)

Colman Domingo as Albert “Mister” Johnson

While the original source material is Alice Walker’s 1982 novel, The Color Purple is based on the stage play of the same name, as it is also the second film adaptation of the novel. The story focuses on a young African American woman living through the tumultuous era of the early 1900s in the South who finds her independence through a budding sisterhood that she cultivates over decades. It’s a powerful film that looks at resilience in the face of trauma, and uses its musical aspect to celebrate moments of Black joy.

Like almost everyone in The Color Purple cast, Colman Domingo is remarkable as Albert “Mister” Johnson, the main antagonist of the film. He is a powerful, terrifying man who wants to exude power over the women in his life, especially his wife Celie (Fantasia Barrino). It’s easy to hate the character, given just how fantastic Domingo portrays him in the movie.

7

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025)

Colman Domingo as Norman Osborn

The latest animated iteration of Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man follows the early days of Peter Parker as the titular character, borrowing a lot of narrative background elements from the MCU, but existing as its own thing within the multiverse. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a rather heartfelt series about Peter Parker trying to become his own hero while balancing his life as a freshman in high school.

Norman Osborn is an integral part of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and Colman Domingo does a wonderful job voicing him. Osborn starts out as Peter’s “man-in-the-chair” as he operates as Spider-Man and essentially serves as his mentor as well. Though he hasn’t become Green Goblin yet, it feels like Norman Osborn is on that path, and his villainous side will be explored in future seasons.

6

Euphoria (2019-Present)

Colman Domingo as Ali Muhammed

Euphoria was a sensation when it first premiered back in 2019. The series featured an impressive cast of up-and-coming actors, and Zendaya’s best role to date. Full of gratuitous sex and drugs, Euphoria is a dynamic series that revolves around Rue (Zendaya), a teen addict who attempts to get sober and navigate high school at the same time, while the series also focuses on a variety of other characters along the way. It’s visually gorgeous and ambitious, making it one of HBO’s most compelling shows in a while.

Colman Domingo has a recurring role in Euphoria as Ali Muhammed, a recovering addict who meets Rue at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. He eventually becomes her sponsor, lending her an ear and doling out advice when he thinks it is necessary. Domingo is full of so much grace and empathy through his performance as Ali, as he really wants to help Rue find the strength to move past her addiction.

5

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)

Colman Domingo as Cutler

Featuring a career-defining performance from the late Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a remarkable movie, as it explores a turbulent recording session for blues singer Ma Rainey in 1920s Chicago. The movie is a stunning tribute to a legendary singer, as well as the effect of Black culture on the music industry as a whole. Outside the strong, insightful narrative, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom has some incredible music as well.

While Viola Davis and Boseman often shine the brightest in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Colman Domingo also makes an impressive statement with his performance in the film. He plays Cutler, a member of the Seasoned George Jazz Band, led by Ma Rainey. The character is often understanding and sympathizes with Ma Rainey, and by the end of the film, Domingo is able to portray the horror of what happened in the studio perfectly through his performance.

4

Rustin (2023)

Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin

An incredible look at an important figure in the Civil Rights movement, Rustin follows the life of Bayard Rustin, who helped Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists organize the 1963 March on Washington. Rustin’s legacy is on full display in the film, shining a light on a historical figure that often gets lost in the shuffle of other big names during the time. It’s a fantastic biopic, and features a true masterpiece of acting from Colman Domingo.

Domingo embodies the figure of Bayard Rustin in the film, delivering an incredibly complex portrayal of an important man. It’s incredibly easy to empathize with, and understand, the character due to the warmth and earnestness of Domingo’s performance. Rustin continued to prove just how talented of an actor Domingo really is, as it led to his first Academy Award nomination.

3

Fear The Walking Dead (2015-2023)

Colman Domingo as Victor Strand

Following the absurd success of The Walking Dead for AMC, the show’s first spin-off came in Fear the Walking Dead, which started out as a prequel for the first three seasons before running concurrently with the original series for the rest of the show. Its initial premise focused on a blended family who experience the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, but it eventually evolved into so much more. It’s a great follow-up to a groundbreaking series.

Following his various small roles in movies and television, as well as his time on The Big Gay Sketch Show, Colman Domingo’s big breakthrough came in Fear the Walking Dead. He plays Victor Strand, a conman-turned-businessman who forms friendships with Madison Clark’s (Kim Dickens) group. With one of the best character arcs in the show, Domingo is a major reason that Victor Strand is a fan-favorite character in Fear the Walking Dead.

2

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Colman Domingo as Joseph Rivers

Based on James Baldwin’s novel of the same name, If Beale Street Could Talk is a powerful work of art, as the film follows a young woman who seeks to clear the name of her wrongly charged lover before the birth of her child. The movie is gorgeous to look at while translating its source material perfectly to the big screen, with an emotionally affecting story that is beautiful and poignant.

Colman Domingo is amazing in his supporting role as Joseph Rivers, father of KiKi Layne’s Clementine “Tish” Rivers. He is gentle and supporting as Tish’s father, showing a great amount of empathy for her situation and wanting to help in any way he can. It’s wonderful to see fathers like that in film, especially about heavy subject matter like If Beale Street Could Talk, and Domingo couldn’t have played it any better.

1

Sing Sing (2024)

Colman Domingo as John “Divine G” Whitfield

Revolving around a group of incarcerated men who participate in stage plays through a program put on by the correctional facility, Sing Sing is a powerful look at the way art can shape lives, and through it, people can ultimately find forgiveness and even redemption. Always empathetic in its look at incarcerated individuals and their road to change, Sing Sing was one of the best films of 2024, and a masterclass in acting.

Colman Domingo‘s performance as John “Divine G” Whitfield in Sing Sing is perhaps the finest of his entire career. Divine G is an inmate at Sing Sing Correctional Facility who discovers a new sense of purpose through his participation in a theater group led by a number of other inmates. Domingo is so tender, reflective, and ultimately powerful that it is easy to see why Sing Sing earned him his second consecutive Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.