Thirst Trap: Back To Black Edition
28 of the Hottest Melanated Men in Hollywood
Given the current state of affairs in these Unwashed States of America, I've decided it's time to update Too Black, Too Strong, my previous list of the sexiest, most underutilized Black male actors in the film and television industry. I know thirst traps can't change the world, but I might as well get them up here before these fascists outlaw everything that women, gays, or POC might enjoy. But I have hope (more hope than I have for our Nation) that this current crop of Black actors has the power to usher in a new era of Black excellence alongside our regular faves. Inshallah, may our thirst for the melanated never be quenched.
1. ANTHONY MACKIE
It's hard not to be a Mackie fan because he's just so goddamn charming. I've always thought The Falcon was kinda lame in the Avengers movies, and it took me a while to recover from the "Striking Vipers" episode of Black Mirror. I didn't understand his appeal until clips of his bromance with Sebastian Stan started circulating during Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), and his appearance in the Gordon Gartrell shirt (iykyk) finally sealed the deal. I'm totally on board with Captain America: Brave New World (2025), if for no other reason than it makes the racists mad. We need a Black Captain America more than ever.
2. ALDIS HODGE
Hodge is always at the top of my list for Outstanding Achievements in Hotness. I've loved him since Leverage, but until Cross, he couldn't seem to land a role that could push him back into the mainstream. There's no way Aldis could have saved Black Adam (2023) from disaster. So, it warms my cockles (among some other parts) to see he's finally getting some well-deserved attention on Amazon Prime. Kudos to James Patterson for telling anyone who asked him to change Cross to a white character to fuck right off. Because why would anyone want to deprive us of that beautiful interrogation scene?
3. AARON PIERRE
Listen, I watched Rebel Ridge (2024) and heard him say, "Nah!" but I didn't GET it, get it until a little later; like, right about when he posted this shirtless selfie from Men's Health Magazine on Instagram. People acted up so much over that Aaron Pierre!! THAT'S MUFASAAAA!! dancey-dance down the JHud Show Spirit Tunnel that they had to shut the comment sections down. As soon as those eyes and that accent went to work on that promo tour for Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), even Kelly Clarkson began to glitch in real time. At some point, I just know Kelvin Harrison Jr. went to go cry in the car.
The Wayans have been a household name among Black families since In Living Color, one of the funniest sketch shows to ever do it. Two snaps and a twist! It must be the family influence that makes Damon Wayans Jr. this level of "90s R&B singer" fine. As Derrick #2 on Apple TV's Shrinking, it's pretty much love at first sight for all the characters on the show. They all take turns declaring he's the most attractive man they've ever seen, and I cannot find the lie. Wayans is so effortlessly charming, funny, and utterly delicious. He would be perfect in one of those terrible Netflix Rom-Coms that people keep watching, regardless. (It's me. I'm people.)
5. COLMAN DOMINGO
Born in my hometown of Philadelphia (Go Birds!), this critically acclaimed actor, director, writer, and producer stars in AMC's Fear The Walking Dead, The Color Purple (2023), and HBO's Euphoria. But you might know him best for effortlessly slaying the red carpet every single time.
A Nat King Cole biopic that he has written is in the works, which he'll also star in and direct. We are not worthy!! 😭 For now, you can hear him voice Norman Osborn on Marvel's new animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man — if you feel okay about declining that face card.
6. YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II
The audacity of casting this demi-god in something called Candyman (2021) and then finding out it's some recycled horror flick. When he said, "Five times while looking in the mirror," my mind went to a completely different place. What the world needs is a sequel to Watchmen (2019), where he strolled into Ozymandias' lair like his name was on the mortgage. Thankfully, after receiving a Tony nomination for his Broadway debut in Top Dog/Under Dog, Yahya Abdul Mateen II will be returning to television as John Creasy in the Netflix series adaption of Man on Fire. That's one of my favorite Denzel flicks, and I know he's going to EAT.
7. TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS
TJW has come a long way from Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009). Did you know that Chris Rock thought Tyler was too good-looking to play him as a child? It's funny because it's true! I'm just glad he survived the child actor's curse to give us all this drip on the red carpet.
The world especially needs the energy that his Gregory Eddie on Abbott Elementary provides—a Black male educator who is socially awkward, emotionally intelligent, and maybe a bit neuro-spicy. We don't need the red carpet to see he's got shoulders broad enough to stand on, but there you go. Additionally, I would like to give thanks to Quinta Brunson and everyone involved in casting at Abbott Elementary for continuing to bless us with new eye candy each season. Matthew Law — I see you, baby!
8. KOFI SIRIBOE
Christina Milian is better than me in Meet Me Next Christmas (2024) because at minute 4:36, as soon as Kofi's fine ass sat next to me at the airport, the movie would be over — fade to black, roll the credits. And now, I've got to apologize to Ava DuVernay for just getting around to Queen Sugar. The way these messy Boredelon siblings have got me in a chokehold. And Kofi is not just serving up face on this show; he is giving you ACTING acting! Unfortunately, Prime Video has canceled Harlem after only three seasons. These streaming channels seriously need to get their act together.
I haven't seen Dondré T. Whitfield on screen since Queen Sugar ended, but the way he bites this cookie also makes me weak in the knees. What an absolute snack. 😩 Do y'all remember him from The Cosby Show?
9. DARYL McCORMACK
If you haven't been introduced to this hazel-eyed dreamboat yet, you can catch McCormack (briefly) in the movie Twisters (2024) or the Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters (2022–24). If you're a Peaky Blinders fan, he's a native Irishman, so that accent you're hearing is the real thing. *Swoon.* He first grabbed my attention in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande (2022), in the role of a sex worker fulfilling all of Emma Thompson's cougar fantasies (and mine).
10. GREG TARZAN DAVIS
Yet another Grey's Anatomy alum, I'm now convinced the main reason people are still watching is because Shonda Rhimes keeps them fed with the most beautiful men on the planet. After 11 episodes as Dr. Jordan Wright, Davis moved on to Top Gun Maverick (2022) and the last two final installments of the Mission Impossible franchise: Dead Reckoning (2023). and The Final Reckoning (2025), now in post-production. I don't know if his momma named him "Tarzan" or if it was a nickname that stuck, but it does not disappoint.
11. STERLING K. BROWN
I've been seeing a lot of people saying they are watching Paradise on Hulu for the plot: the plot ☝🏾. Best known for his role as Randall Pearson on the NBC drama This Is Us, he and Susan Kelechi Watson, as his wife Beth, basically set the standard for couples' goals. Fun yet infuriating fact: Brown is the first Black American actor to win a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama. Brown was already giving me mad sex appeal in Black Panther (2018), every single one of his interviews is a damn delight, and the muscles been muscling 💪🏿long before American Fiction (2023), okay?! I'm just glad everyone else is finally getting on board.
12. LAZ ALONSO
Alonso's been in the game for such a long time as a character actor, but some of us still remember him as Paula Patton's groom in Jumping the Broom (2011). He also won an Emmy for being one of the "Wasssuupp!!" guys in the famous Budweiser Superbowl commercials.
If you watch The Boys on Prime Video, you know him as Mother's Milk and the victim of some of their worst shenanigans. This show produces some of the wildest shit done by the finest men I've ever seen on television. Last season, we were finally blessed by seeing Nate Mitchell's gorgeous face as Black Noir. When I found out he looked like this under that mask and helmet, I felt offended for him because what was the reason?!
13. MICHAEL B. JORDAN
Jordan is one of the few actors who I could see pulling off the lead in a second remake of The Thomas Crown Affair (currently in pre-production) and Ryan Coogler's upcoming vampire thriller, Sinners (2025). I've said it before, but it bears repeating: Between 2015 and 2019, when the Hollywood Chrises had reached peak popularity, Jordan was the only Black sex symbol under the age of 40 who was meeting them toe-to-toe. Between Fantastic Four (2015), Creed (2015), Black Panther (2018), and Creed II (2018), his career trajectory and his biceps were not to be reckoned with. The way, "IS THIS YOUR KING?!" challenged anyone we deemed unworthy 😂. Lmao, it's still a good meme.
14. CHIWETEL EJIOFOR
We need to discuss more often how Ejiofor, whether cast as the villain or hero in gut-wrenching dramas, Sci-Fi, and action thrillers, is exceptionally fine. His on-screen facial expressions are unmatched. There is a whole catalog of GIFs of him looking good as hell while incredibly stressed or frighteningly calm.
He also knows how to wear a badass futuristic costume, as seen in Serenity (2005), Dr. Strange (2016), and Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), even under that wig of locs. I'm not sure I can bring myself to watch Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Imagine having trouble choosing between Ejiofor and Leo Woodall. Gurl. Get your shit together.
15. DANIEL KALUUYA
Kaluuya has been in three Oscar-nominated films for Best Picture: Get Out (2017), Black Panther (2018), and Judas and the Black Messiah (2021). He's the youngest Black actor to have received two Oscar nominations and the first Black British actor to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. I think Widows (2018) is such an underrated film, and Daniel's character is no joke. After watching Get Out (2017) and Nope (2022), I think I'm good on Jordan Peele. I have never enjoyed horror movies, and I can think of better reasons for Kaluuya to keep me up all night.
16. DAVEED DIGGS
Diggs is best known for his Grammy and Tony-winning performance of Thomas Jefferson/Marquis de Lafayette in the Broadway musical Hamilton, which you can now watch on Disney+ with the original cast. Even without that role, the breadth of his work and accolades is almost inescapable. He's the voice of Sebastian in The Little Mermaid (2023), the adult version of Books in Netflix's The Get Down, adult Elwood in The Nickle Boys (2024), and Johan Johnson on Black-ish. He also starred in the TNT series Snowpiercer and the movie Blindspotting (2018), which he co-wrote and subsequently made into a series. They honestly should double this man's fee in his contracts because the hair is a paid actor.
17. MAHERSHALA ALI
Ali would only agree to play Cottonmouth Stokes in the Marvel series Luke Cage if his contract was limited to six episodes, so he'd be free to pursue his film career. Honestly, as much as I love Alfre Woodard, that show never hit the same for me after he left. But with 2 Oscar wins and 96 (!!!) award nominations from projects including Greenbook (2018), Moonlight (2016), True Detective(2019), and Ramy (2020), he clearly made the right decision. Who knows if we'll ever see that Blade reboot, but he is cast in "That's-What-You-Get-For-F*cking-Around-With-Them-Dinosaurs" Part 6, releasing this summer. How will the red carpet recover from all of that drip?
18. OMARI HARDWICK
At the risk of having my Black Card revoked, I've never seen a single episode of Power 🫣. In my defense, I'm terrible at watching serial dramas while they are popular. Clearly, I've been missing out on many other opportunities to see him shirtless, like in Army of the Dead (2021), or wear this fabulous futuristic get-up from Star Trek: Section 31. For someone who does a lot of mean-mugging on screen, he really has a devastating smile. He currently has seven upcoming projects, so I will have plenty of chances to redeem myself.
19. Blair Underwood
All the aunties know that Blair has been fine his whole life. When LA Law aired from 1987–94, he was arguably the sexiest Black man on television. Even mainstream television couldn't resist matching him up with Cynthia Nixon in Sex And The City (2003–2004) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006–10). If you think he played a monster in Madea's Family Reunion, you should see him in Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.
20. Shemar Moore
I watched The Young and the Restless from my mid-teens until I couldn't keep up with the backlog recorded on VHS tapes in college. When we say a man is '90s fine, Shemar in Toni Braxton's "How Many Ways" video is precisely what we mean. We're never forgetting his videos as the host of Soul Train or that cornrow wig from Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), either.
21. Morris Chestnut
From Boyz n the Hood to The Best Man series, we never worry about our favorite fictional football hero anymore because Morris stays booked and busy all the time. I didn't even know his last show had been canceled when he started doing promo for Watson.
22. D.B. Woodside
Woodside is best known for his role as Amenadiel in Lucifer (2016–21) and Jessica Pearson's boo-thang in Suits (2014–18). If you're still confusing him with Morris Chestnut, get it right.
23. Giancarlo Esposito
With 200 TV and film acting credits since 1980, if you're still sleeping on Esposito, I don't know what to tell you. He plays the villain so well and so often that he might just be the baddest man on screen. Unless he wants you to call him Daddy, you'd better put some respect on his name.
25. Idris Alba
Whether you know him best as Stringer Bell from The Wire (2002–04), as Luther (2010–19), or from any of his over 100 credits, Idris is easily one of the sexiest men alive. With 32 wins and 114 total nominations in film and television, it still blows my mind that he was in Cats (2019) and does the voice of Knuckles in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies.
26. Denzel Washington
Denzel is still out here living his best life and killing it on the press tour for Gladiator II (2024). There are so few actors who have possessed the power and charisma to both captivate audiences and garner widespread critical acclaim over a career spanning 50 years in TV, film, and theater. I don't have the words to convey how much I revere this man whose name is synonymous with "fine." A Legend. An Icon.
Counting bonus content that I snuck under 7, 8, and 12, that's 28 gorgeous Black men — one for every day in Black History Month, which is the last one we'll have under the current administration. Stay thirsty, my friends! Who knows how long we'll have clean water?
