The long-awaited sequel to “Black Panther” arrives in theaters Nov. 11, and though the late Chadwick Boseman is absent from the film, his spirit can still be felt in the world of Wakanda. Boseman’s legacy shines through both returning and new Marvel characters entering the MCU, whether they live on land or below the ocean’s surface.
Among returning cast members are Letitia Wright as Shuri, Angela Basset as Queen Mother Ramonda, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku and Martin Freeman as Agent Everett Ross. Aquatic Atlantean newcomers making a splash are Tenoch Huerta as Namor, Mabel Cadena as Namora and Alex Livinalli as Attuma. Much-needed additions to Wakanda’s defense team lie in Domique Thorne, who plays Riri Williams and Michaela Coel who plays Aneka.
Check out our complete “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” cast and character guide below.
Shuri (Letitia Wright)
Princess Shuri misses her older brother King T’Challa more than anything, and she often buries herself in her technology to avoid completely addressing her feelings of anger, grief and loss. Shuri faces the ultimate challenge of moving on after the death of her brother, and a new underwater force only complicates matters for her. Wright has recently appeared in “Aisha” (2022) as Aisha Osagie, “The Silent Twins” (2022) as June Gibbons and “Death on the Nile” (2022) as Rosalie Otterbourne. She also voices Noosshy the brilliant breakdancing lynx in “Sing 2” (2021).
Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett)
The Queen Mother now reigns in place of her late son T’Challa, who took over the throne after the death of her husband King T’Chaka. Ramonda shares the mourning of her son with her daughter, and she too faces a difficult decision in choosing how Wakanda will continue its involvement in the United Nations and broader world now that they know the nation possesses vibranium. Ramonda does her best to help her daughter through grieving as well. Bassett was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role in “What’s Love Got to Do with It” (1993). She is known for films like “Strange Days” (1995), “Contact” (1997), “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (1998), “The Lazarus Child” (2004), “Mr. 3000” (2004), “Akeelah and the Bee” (2006), “Jumping the Broom” (2011), “Olympus Has Fallen” (2013) and “Mission Impossible – Fallout” (2018). She has also appeared in TV shows like “9-1-1: Lone Star,” “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “BoJack Horseman,” “ER” and “American Horror Story.”
Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o)
Nakia mourns T’Challa as a lover. She planned on staying in better connection with Wakanda after she worked out her differences with him, but his death leads her to pour all of her energy into her school in Haïti. Previously she had served as a Wakandan spy, but the foe lurking in the depths eventually leaks into her life as well as she is called to help her native nation. In addition to her MCU character, the Oscar-winning Nyong’o has held roles like Patsey in “12 Years a Slave,” Maz Kanata in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015), Adelaide Wilson in Jordan Peele’s “Us” (2019) and Khadijah Adiyeme in “The 355” (2022). She has also recently been cast in “A Quiet Place: Day One.”
Okoye (Danai Gurira)
General Okoye would die for Wakanda, as was established in the first film when she watched as Killmonger (Michael B Jordan) took the throne and almost destroyed Wakanda’s reputation. She leads the Dora Milaje, a fierce force of female fighters who go to battle for their ruler, protecting the leader at all costs. Okoye mourns her king alongside the other women, providing stability in their shifting landscape. Gurira portrayed Zainab in “The Visitor” (2007). She has also appeared in TV Shows like “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Law and Order,” “Lie to Me,” “Treme” and “The Walking Dead.”
M’Baku (Winston Duke)
M’Baku leads the Jabari tribe, the one tribe of the five original Wakandan ones that refused to submit to rule under The Black Panther long ago. M’Baku himself challenged Prince T’Challa for the crown back in the first film, giving the son of King T’Chaka a run for his money, but T’Challa showed M’Baku mercy, asking him to yield, and they later forged a bond of grudging respect for one another. M’Baku also provides some stable guidance after the death of T’Challa. Duke has appeared in TV shows liek “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Person of Interest,” “Modern Family” and “The Messengers” and co-starred with Nyong’o in Jordan Peele’s “Us.”
Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman)
Affectionately known as colonizer, CIA Agent Everett Ross established communication with Wakanda way back in “Captain America: Civil War” when the meeting to ratify the Sokovia Accords was interrupted by a blast that killed King T’Chaka. It might be easier to say what Freeman isn’t in, but as far as TV shows go, he can be seen in “The Last King,” “The Office,” “Hardware,” “The Robinsons,” “Fargo,” “Sherlock” and many more. For films, he has starred in “Love Actually” (2003) as John and “The Hobbit” trilogy as Bibo Baggins.
Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne)
MIT student Riri Williams gives Tom Holland’s Peter Parker a run for his money. She has a side hustle doing other students’ homework for payment, and she is designing some secret machines for the CIA. Thorne has held the roles of Sheila Hunt in “If Beale Street Could Talk” (2018), Judy Harmon in “Judas and the Black Messiah” (2021) and she will reprise the role of Riri Williams in the upcoming TV show “Ironheart” as well as “Avengers: Secret Wars” which is slated for 2026.
Aneka (Michaela Coel)
Aneka is a fierce fighter for the Dora Milaje, except instead of their signature spear, she uses two fancy daggers. Her friendship with Princess Shuri as well as her loyalty to Okoye make her a much-desired companion. Coel is best known for creating and starring in “I May Destroy You” which can be watched on HBO Max. Previously, she has appeared in shows like “Black Mirror,” “Chewing Gum,” “The Aliens,” and “Black Earth Rising.” Film roles of hers include Simone in “Been So Long” and a Resistance Monitor in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
Namor (Tenoch Huerta)
Namor the Sub-mariner made his debut in the 1939 “Marvel Comics” No. 1. He is half-human, half-Atlantean mutant, so he can breathe under water as well as above without the need for water. He is modeled after the MesoAmerican feathered serpent god, and his followers call him K’uk’ulkan. The King of Talokan was born after his mother ingested a special blue plant (similar to Wakanda’s purple heart-shaped herb) that turned her into a full Atlantean who needed water to breathe through her gills. Huerta previously starred in “The Forever Purge” and “Sin Nombre.”
Namora (Mabel Cadena)
Namora is one of Namor’s two deputies. She and Attuma brandish intimidating weapons, techniques and tactics in support of their leader. Mabel Cadena is known for films like “Dos Veces Tú,” “Dance of the 41” (2020) and “Asphalt Goddess” (2020) in addition to her MCU debut.
