Tessa Thompson’s Favourite Role and Her Rise to Stardom

Watching actors carve out their place in the industry can be a real eye-opener. Some seem to land lead roles straight away, while others spend years honing their craft in supporting parts before finally getting their moment. Tessa Thompson, born and bred in Los Angeles, is a prime example of someone who’s made the most of her opportunities, especially with her recent turn in Hedda. That film, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s work, might make some folks shudder if they remember it from school, but Thompson’s performance under Nia DaCosta’s direction earned her a Golden Globe nod and cemented her status as a leading lady.

Her career has been on a steady climb for the past decade. Thompson’s big break came in 2015, starring alongside Michael B Jordan in the Creed spin-off from the Rocky series. That role opened doors, leading to a major part in HBO’s sci-fi hit Westworld the following year. Over six years and thirty episodes, she played the powerful Charlotte Hale, and even a replica of the character for a couple of seasons. The show’s success set her up for a spot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a role in Thor: Ragnarok that was a hit with both punters and critics.

Creative Freedom in a Standout Role

But it was the following year that Thompson landed what she calls her favourite role to date, in the offbeat sci-fi black comedy Sorry to Bother You. The film follows a young bloke who puts on a ‘white voice’ to get ahead in a dystopian call centre. Thompson, who played the character Detroit, absolutely relished the experience. She described the film as

“bonkers”

and said director Boots Riley

“just gave me such a tremendous amount of freedom in terms of sculpting her and how she looked. That was a very fun one.”

Despite a modest budget, the film became a word-of-mouth hit, pulling in nearly $20 million at the box office from just $3.2 million spent.

Expanding Horizons and Major Roles

After Sorry to Bother You, Thompson’s career picked up even more steam. In 2018, she starred with Natalie Portman in Alex Garland’s horror flick Annihilation, and reprised her roles in sequels to both Creed and Thor. By 2021, she was earning Emmy and Critics’ Choice nominations for her work in the romantic drama Sylvie’s Love. That same year, she took the lead in Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut Passing, which saw her nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Thompson reunited with Nia DaCosta for the first time in the Marvel universe in The Marvels in 2023, playing Valkyrie. While the film itself copped mixed reviews and struggled to recoup its massive $200 million budget, the cast’s performances, including Thompson’s, were widely praised. The film still holds the record as the highest-grossing ever directed by a black woman.

Looking Ahead

Next up, Thompson is set to appear in a much-anticipated Netflix series called His & Hers, alongside Jon Bernthal from The Walking Dead. The show, dropping in early January 2026, sees Thompson as a journalist digging into a murder in her hometown, clashing with Bernthal’s detective. With her track record and knack for picking interesting projects, locals are keen to see what she brings to the table next.