Tessa Thompson Names Her Most Beloved Film Role Yet
The acclaimed actress opens up about her career journey and reveals which project gave her the most creative satisfaction, praising the director's trust in her artistic vision.
Watching actors evolve in Hollywood can be fascinating - some jump straight into leading roles while others gradually build their careers through supporting parts until they finally get their breakthrough moment. Tessa Thompson, born in Los Angeles, has clearly seized her opportunities, as demonstrated by this year's acclaimed performance in Hedda.
While the mention of a Henrik Ibsen adaptation might make English students cringe, Thompson earned widespread praise for her work in Nia DaCosta's drama, landing a Golden Globe nomination and proving her leading lady capabilities. This recognition caps off a remarkable decade-long rise since her breakthrough alongside Michael B. Jordan in the Rocky spinoff hit Creed back in 2015, which opened doors to a major role on HBO's science fiction series Westworld the following year.
Building Momentum Through Diverse Projects
Spanning thirty episodes across six years, Thompson portrayed the powerful Charlotte Hale on Westworld, even playing a replica version of the character for two seasons. This success launched her into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Thor: Ragnarok, which delighted both audiences and critics.
The next year brought what Thompson considers her favorite project to date - the science fiction black comedy Sorry to Bother You. The film follows a young Black man who adopts a "white person" voice to excel at his telemarketing job in a dystopian future. Thompson absolutely loved working with director Boots Riley, calling the movie "bonkers" and explaining that 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."
From Indie Success to Major Recognition
Despite its modest $3.2 million budget, Sorry to Bother You became a word-of-mouth sensation, ultimately earning nearly $20 million at the box office. Thompson's career momentum continued building as she landed several high-profile roles in 2018, including a part in Alex Garland's brilliant horror film Annihilation opposite Natalie Portman, plus reprising her characters in both Creed and Thor sequels.
By 2021, Thompson was collecting Emmy and Critics' Choice nominations for her performance in the romantic drama Sylvie's Love. That same year, she took the lead in British actor Rebecca Hall's directorial debut Passing, earning a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Recent Projects and Future Endeavors
Thompson reunited with Nia DaCosta for 2023's The Marvels, reprising her Valkyrie character in the MCU. Though the film faced mixed reviews and struggled against its massive $200 million budget, the performances - including Thompson's - received widespread acclaim. The movie still holds the record as the highest-grossing film ever directed by a Black woman.
Looking ahead, Thompson is set to appear in the high-profile Netflix series His & Hers alongside The Walking Dead's Jon Bernthal, premiering in early January 2026. She'll play a journalist investigating a murder in her hometown who conflicts with Bernthal's detective character.