Tessa Thompson on Creative Freedom and Her Standout Role

Watching an actor’s career unfold can be a curious thing. Some seem to land starring roles from the outset, while others gradually find their footing, taking on smaller parts before stepping into the spotlight. Tessa Thompson, born in Los Angeles, has certainly made the most of her opportunities, as her recent turn in Hedda has demonstrated. Although the phrase ‘adapted from Henrik Ibsen’ might strike fear into anyone who’s ever sat through A-level English, Thompson’s performance in Nia DaCosta’s drama drew widespread praise, earning her a Golden Globe nomination and cementing her status as a leading lady.

Breakthroughs and Major Roles

Thompson’s rise has been steady over the past decade. Her breakthrough came in 2015, starring opposite Michael B Jordan in the Creed spin-off, which opened the door to a significant part in HBO’s science fiction series Westworld the following year. Over six years and thirty episodes, she portrayed the formidable Charlotte Hale, as well as a replica of the character in later seasons. The success of Westworld led to her first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Thor: Ragnarok, a film that proved popular with both critics and the public.

Yet, it was the following year that Thompson found herself in a project she holds especially dear: the science fiction black comedy Sorry to Bother You. The film follows a young black man who adopts a ‘white person’ voice to get ahead in a dystopian call centre. Thompson relished the experience, working under director Boots Riley, and described the film as

“bonkers”

. She added 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.”

Critical Acclaim and Expanding Horizons

Despite its modest budget, Sorry to Bother You became a word-of-mouth success, eventually grossing nearly $20 million against a $3.2 million spend. Thompson’s profile continued to rise, and in 2018 she appeared alongside Natalie Portman in Alex Garland’s Annihilation, as well as reprising her roles in sequels to both Creed and Thor.

By 2021, she had collected 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, earning a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Her collaboration with Nia DaCosta continued in 2023 with The Marvels, where she returned as Valkyrie. Although the film received mixed reviews and struggled to recoup its substantial budget, the performances, including Thompson’s, were widely commended. Notably, it remains the highest-grossing film directed by a black woman.

Looking Ahead

Thompson’s next project sees her starring in the much-anticipated Netflix series His & Hers alongside Jon Bernthal, known for his role in The Walking Dead. The series, set to premiere in early January 2026, features Thompson as a journalist investigating a murder in her hometown, coming into conflict with Bernthal’s detective.