In 2025, African cinema stands at one of its most confident and expansive moments yet. Across the continent and within the diaspora, film and television continue to evolve in scale, ambition, and global reach, powered by actors whose work consistently raises the bar for storytelling. From commercially dominant releases to projects that sparked cultural conversation, these performers carried narratives that resonated far beyond their immediate markets. Their influence was not limited to the screen alone, but extended into fashion, popular culture, and international visibility, reinforcing the growing relevance of African talent within the global entertainment ecosystem.
The 25 of 25 by Top Charts Africa recognizes the actors who defined this moment. This list is not about hype or fleeting virality, but about presence, performance, and impact over the course of the year (December 2024 — November 2025). Each actor selected demonstrated range, consistency, and a clear contribution to the growth of African film and television in 2025. Whether leading major productions, elevating ensemble casts, or pushing boundaries through bold role choices, these actors shaped the stories that audiences connected with and remembered. Together, they represent the creative force driving African cinema forward.
- Teniola Aladese
In a year marked by dynamic roles and expanding influence, Teniola Aladese solidified her place among Nollywood’s most versatile actors in 2025. She brought depth and nuance to Ivie in To Kill a Monkey, a high-profile Netflix crime thriller series that drew praise for its ensemble cast and gritty storytelling. Her performance added emotional texture to the series, helping to anchor a story that balanced suspense with character-driven drama. 
Aladese also made waves on the big screen with Hearts in Motion, a film that showcased her ability to navigate romantic and interpersonal themes with subtlety and presence. This blend of television and cinematic work in 2025 underscored her range and her ongoing evolution as a leading figure in African entertainment. Her choices this year reflect a commitment to compelling narratives and characters that resonate across audiences, reinforcing her profile as a standout actor in the continent’s thriving film landscape.
- Tobi Bakre
In 2025 Tobi Bakre continued to build on his reputation as one of Nollywood’s most bankable and compelling talents with a slate of varied and high-profile roles. He appeared as Adigun in the action-driven film Suky, a feature that dropped on Amazon Prime Video and showcased Bakre’s physicality and range within the thriller genre. The movie centers on underground boxing and revenge, and Bakre’s presence helped anchor the cast alongside established stars like Bimbo Ademoye and Femi Adebayo. 
Beyond Suky, Bakre starred in Red Circle, a Nigerian crime thriller that hit cinemas in mid-2025 and placed him among a strong ensemble including Lateef Adedimeji, Timini Egbuson, and Folu Storms. This role further emphasized his ability to move between intense genre work and character-driven drama.
- Cindy Mahlangu
In 2025 Cindy Mahlangu continued to build on her rising international profile with a standout year that showcased her range and growing influence across television and popular culture. She is featured as Pinky, a central character in the Netflix South African drama Bad Influencer, a 2025 crime series that explores the collision of social media glamour and the criminal underworld in Johannesburg. Mahlangu’s performance as an influencer forced into desperate decisions helped anchor the series and drew widespread audience attention across Africa and beyond. 
Beyond her acting role, Mahlangu also appeared on screen as a judge for Miss South Africa 2025, adding depth to her presence in the entertainment world and reinforcing her status as a cultural figure as well as a screen star. Her work this year leverages past successes such as Blood & Water and extends her footprint into headline roles that connect with contemporary audiences, marking 2025 as a defining moment in her career.
- William Benson
William Benson continued his remarkable run in 2025 with a slate of performances that underlined both his depth as a performer and his enduring relevance in Nollywood and African screen culture. He drew particular praise for his work as Efemini Edewor in To Kill a Monkey, Netflix’s high-profile crime thriller series that became one of the most talked-about African drama releases of the year. Benson’s nuanced portrayal of a complex, morally ambiguous character lent gravitas to a narrative steeped in intrigue and elevated his profile even further across international streaming audiences.
- Shine Rosman
Shine Rosman, often credited as Sunshine Rosman, had a busy and defining 2025 that showcased her growth as one of Nollywood’s most versatile and prolific actors. This year she delivered memorable performances across multiple screen projects, expanding her range and visibility in both drama and mainstream entertainment. One of her most notable roles was in To Kill a Monkey, a high-profile Netflix crime thriller series where she brought depth and intensity to her character, earning positive attention from both audiences and critics alike. Her preparation for the role involved immersive character work, reflecting her commitment to nuanced performances.
20. Thandolwethu Zondi
Thandolwethu “Olly” Zondi emerged in 2025 as one of the most exciting breakout actors on the African screen, turning heads with a standout debut that quickly made him a name to watch. He gained widespread recognition for his lead performance as Siya “Bolt” Gumede in the Netflix South African drama series Go!, a youthful sports-drama that climbed viewership charts and showcased his emotional depth, intensity, and natural on-screen charisma in a major role on a global streaming platform.
- Deyemi Okanlawon
Deyemi Okanlawon’s 2025 was a testament to his enduring versatility and star power in Nollywood, marked by a powerful mix of lead roles and ensemble performances that kept him firmly in the spotlight. He headlined Hakeem: Seeking Justice, a high-stakes action drama that saw him embody a complex protagonist driven by personal loss and the pursuit of justice, underscoring his ability to carry a film with emotional intensity and physical presence. 
Beyond action, Deyemi was in The Herd, a crime thriller that delved into societal tensions and survival under extreme circumstances, adding another dimension to his already expansive range.  He also appeared in the character-driven drama Radio Voice, contributing to a story about resilience and transformation that resonated with audiences and showcased his adaptability across genres.
- Scarlet Gomez
Scarlet Gomez continued to move steadily through 2025 with multiple film roles that kept her firmly visible in the Nollywood ecosystem. One of her notable 2025 credits includes the latest Nollywood release Sunshinhe, a romantic drama in which she appears as part of the ensemble cast, showcasing her adaptability in contemporary film storytelling. 
Beyond that, Gomez also starred in Between Us, another 2025 feature where she shares the screen with prominent industry names in a movie that has gained traction online and in Nigerian cinema circles.  She additionally appeared in Alex from Oil and Gas, a 2025 TV mini-series that explores complex interpersonal relationships, further underscoring her presence across both film and television.
- Jesse Suntele
In 2025 South African actor Jesse Suntele continued to build on his rising African screen profile with key roles that showcased both his versatility and growing appeal beyond local television. One of his most visible credits this year was Meet the Khumalos, a 2025 feature film in which he appears as Sizwe Khumalo, placing him alongside a strong ensemble and positioning him within a story that blends family drama with sharp comedic moments. 
Suntele also anchored Freedom Way, showcasing his versatility and acting prowess, adding to an already respectable body of work that includes earlier successes like Savage Beauty on Netflix and other screen appearances.
- Nancy Isime
In 2025 Nancy Isime enjoyed one of her busiest years on screen, reinforcing her position as one of Nollywood’s most prolific and bankable actors. She featured in Aso Ebi Diaries (2025), a widely released Nigerian film that blends fashion, high society drama, and personal reinvention, spotlighting her ability to carry nuanced, contemporary roles that resonate with broad audiences. 
Isime also starred in Radio Voice (2025), a character-driven drama that centers on personal transformation and the resilience of a struggling radio station, giving her a strong ensemble platform alongside veterans like Richard Mofe-Damijo and Timini Egbuson. She appeared in Imported Wives (2025), adding to a slate of releases that kept her consistently in the cinematic spotlight this year.
- Gbubemi Ejeye
In 2025 Gbubemi Ejeye continued her upward trajectory in Nollywood with a mix of film appearances that showcased her range and growing appeal on screen. One of her key credits this year is Katangari Goes to Town (2025), where she plays Chatong Gyang, giving her a standout role in a film that blends mystery and drama and has been gaining buzz among audiences for its engaging storyline and strong performances. 
Her ongoing presence in the industry also includes another 2025 credit as Idia in a similarly titled project, further proving that she has become a go-to actor for dynamic parts in contemporary Nigerian films.
- Wiseman Mncube
In 2025 South African actor Wiseman Mncube continued to make his mark on the continent’s screen landscape with one of his most visible roles to date, starring in the Netflix TV series Go! where he plays Shuffle Gumede, a young athlete navigating trauma and ambition in a competitive sports drama format that has resonated with audiences both locally and internationally. Go! marks one of his first major roles on a global streaming platform, reinforcing his crossover appeal beyond traditional South African television. 
Mncube is also widely known for his long-running presence in beloved TV series like Shaka iLembe, where his portrayal of Zwide made him one of the standout characters in the historical drama, and Uzalo, one of South Africa’s highest-rated soap operas, roles that continued to contribute to his profile throughout 2025.
- Kunle Remi
In 2025 Kunle Remi delivered one of his most robust performance years yet, appearing across multiple high-profile Nigerian film and television projects that showcased his range and solidified his status as a dependable lead in Nollywood. He starred in the crime thriller The Herd, playing Fola in a hard-hitting story about survival and betrayal that became one of the year’s most talked-about theatre releases in Nigeria. 
Remi also featured in the Netflix murder mystery series The Party, a three-part drama that challenged audiences to piece together a suspicious death, placing him among an ensemble cast of veteran actors and increasing his visibility on global streaming.  In addition, he appeared in the fashion-driven Nollywood film Aso Ebi Diaries, where his portrayal of Dimeji added nuance to a story blending style, romance, and social ambition.
- Blessing Lung’aho
In 2025 Kenyan actor Blessing Lung’aho delivered one of his most memorable performance years yet with a breakout role that showcased his range and boldness as an actor. He starred in Adam to Eve, a 2025 Showmax original dramedy where he plays multiple characters, including Adam, Eve, and Makori. In this inventive series, Adam’s life as a carefree Nairobi playboy is upended when a mysterious transformation forces him to live life as a woman, driving both comedic moments and deeper reflections on identity and privilege. The role demanded versatility and commitment, and Lung’aho’s work helped make Adam to Eve one of the most talked-about streaming series from Africa in 2025. 
Beyond that standout performance, 2025 also saw Lung’aho feature in Bwana Chairman, a Kenyan TV drama on Maisha Magic Plus that added further depth to his on-screen presence and affirmed his continued relevance in East African entertainment.
- Mercy Aigbe
In 2025 Mercy Aigbe remained one of Nollywood’s most recognizable and enduring screen presences, appearing in several Nigerian films that kept her in the public eye across both mainstream and indigenous cinema. One of her key credits this year was Labake Olododo, a 2025 epic Yoruba-language drama featuring a large ensemble cast including Iyabo Ojo, Faithia Balogun, Scarlet Gomez, and Aigbe herself, that performed strongly at the Nigerian box office and reinforced her status as a veteran lead in culturally rooted storytelling. 
She also appeared in The Herd, a high-profile crime thriller released in 2025 where she played an emotional supporting role that added depth to the film’s tense narrative about survival and society under pressure.  Additionally, Aigbe’s broader 2025 filmography includes credits in Idia and Eniketa, further demonstrating her continued work across diverse Nollywood projects this year.
- Uche Montana
In 2025 Uche Montana delivered another strong year that reinforced her growing stature within Nollywood’s upper tier of actors. She starred in The Other Woman, a film that allowed her to explore layered emotional territory while also marking a significant step in her career with a producer credit attached to the project. The film’s reception highlighted her evolving presence not just as a performer, but as a creative voice increasingly involved in shaping the stories she tells on screen.
She also appeared in A Lagos Love Story, a widely seen romantic drama that further cemented her appeal with mainstream audiences and showcased her ease within contemporary storytelling.
- Onyinye Odokoro
In 2025 Onyinye Odokoro continued her steady rise through Nollywood with one of her most prominent roles yet on a global platform. She starred as Adanna in Baby Farm, a Netflix series that dives into the dark realities of exploitation and survival in Lagos and has positioned her in front of a worldwide audience through one of the year’s most talked-about African releases. Her performance added emotional gravity to a story that blends intense drama with social commentary, helping to spotlight her on-screen presence across international streaming. 
Odokoro’s 2025 wasn’t limited to streaming drama. She also continued her work on Princess on a Hill, a Showmax Nigerian drama series in which she plays Zara Osara, a character whose journey through corporate power and personal ambition offers a rich showcase for her range and depth as an actor.
- Uzor Arukwe
In 2025 Uzor Arukwe remained one of Nollywood’s most visible and hardworking actors, delivering a string of varied performances that kept him in the conversation both at home and across streaming audiences. He appeared in the Netflix murder-mystery series The Party where he was part of a strong ensemble tackling a suspense-filled narrative about a young man’s mysterious death and the ensuing investigation, adding depth and experience to a high-profile cast. 
Arukwe also starred in several widely released 2025 Nigerian films that showcased his adaptability across genres. He took lead and supporting roles in romantic dramas like Love in Every Word and its follow-up Love in Every Word: The Wedding, contributing to projects that resonated with fans of Nollywood romance and relationship-driven stories.  Beyond romance, he featured in other 2025 titles including Too Good to Be True, Three Is a Match, and Trophy Trap, roles that demonstrated his range from heartfelt character work to drama and intrigue in mainstream commercial films.
- Genoveva Umeh
In 2025 Genoveva Umeh built on a trajectory that has steadily elevated her profile since her breakout in Blood Sisters, stepping into roles that positioned her among Nollywood’s most engaging actors this year. One of her key 2025 credits was in the critically discussed crime thriller The Herd, where she plays Derin, a newlywed caught in a harrowing kidnapping and survival story that resonated with audiences across Nigeria and beyond. The film’s intense narrative and Umeh’s grounded performance helped underline her capacity for dramatic depth in high-stakes roles. 
Umeh also continued her presence on the global stage with a role in the Netflix series Baby Farm, further expanding her reach to international streaming audiences. In this gritty drama, she appears alongside other Nollywood talents in a story that blends suspense and social commentary, showcasing her ability to anchor emotionally charged narratives in both film and television.
- James Gardiner
In 2025 James Gardiner, the Ghanaian actor best known for his cross-border appeal in both Ghanaian and Nigerian films, continued to expand his footprint in Nollywood with a standout role in the crime-drama series The Party on Netflix. In the series he plays Ralph Donkor, contributing a grounded and compelling performance to a cast driving one of the year’s most talked-about African mysteries, helping the show resonate with audiences across the continent and beyond. 
Gardiner’s presence in The Party this year reinforced his versatility and longevity in a competitive industry where he has been a familiar face for over a decade. Known for earlier work in films like Devil Is a Liar and One Night Guests, he has blended dramatic range with screen charisma throughout his career, and 2025 added one of his most globally visible roles yet.
- Timini Egbuson
In 2025 Timini Egbuson stood out as one of Nollywood’s most active and bankable actors, delivering a year packed with diverse and high-visibility roles that demonstrated both range and audience appeal. A major highlight of his year was Reel Love, a romance film he starred in and produced that premiered on Valentine’s Day. In the movie he plays Tomide Jobi, a social-media influencer whose staged romance turns into real emotional stakes, blending contemporary love themes with sharp looks at digital culture. Reel Love underscored his growing influence not only as a performer but also as a creative force shaping his own projects. 
Egbuson also appeared in the Nollywood crime-thriller Red Circle, working alongside some of the industry’s most respected names in a story built around investigation and personal stakes, reflecting his comfort in intense, character-driven material.  He took on yet more roles in mainstream 2025 films that kept him busy and visible, including Radio Voice starring with industry heavyweights such as Richard Mofe-Damijo and Nancy Isime, where his performance added emotional complexity to a narrative about resilience and media influence.
- Bolaji Ogunmola
In 2025 Bolaji Ogunmola delivered one of her most balanced and impressive years on screen, moving fluidly between comedy and drama with confidence and control. She starred in Gingerrr, a situational comedy that leaned into sharp dialogue, timing, and character chemistry. In the film, Ogunmola demonstrated a lighter, more playful side of her acting, proving her strength in comedy without sacrificing presence or depth. Her performance stood out for its ease and relatability, reinforcing her reputation as an actor who understands tone and audience instinctively.
She also appeared in Summer Rain, a romantic drama that allowed her to return to emotionally driven storytelling. The film showcased her ability to anchor intimate narratives, leaning into vulnerability, restraint, and emotional clarity. Together, Gingerrr and Summer Rain highlighted Ogunmola’s range in 2025, affirming her as an actor equally comfortable delivering laughter or carrying heartfelt drama.
- Bucci Franklin
In 2025 Bucci Franklin strengthened his position as one of Nollywood’s most compelling and dependable actors with a slate of high-profile screen appearances that showcased his range and depth. This year he starred as Oboz in the Netflix crime-drama series To Kill a Monkey, a role that had audiences talking for its emotional intensity and complexity and helped anchor one of the year’s most streamed African originals. 
Beyond To Kill a Monkey, Franklin also appeared in several notable 2025 film projects, including The Creek (Home Land), a dramatic feature that broadened his cinematic presence, and Colour Me True, in which he took on the role of Shalewa Ashafa, adding a different tone to his 2025 body of work. He was also credited in Down the Aisle, further underscoring his versatility across genres and formats this year. 
Across these varied roles in streaming and big-screen films, Franklin’s 2025 highlights reflected a blend of dramatic power and screen magnetism, reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s most respected and dynamic actors.
- Thapelo Mokoena
In 2025 Thapelo Mokoena continued to consolidate his status as one of South Africa’s most respected and experienced actors, bringing gravitas to major screen projects that reached audiences across the continent. This year he appeared in the Netflix crime drama Bad Influencer, where he plays Themba, a key figure in a gritty exploration of social media culture colliding with Johannesburg’s criminal underworld in one of the platform’s most talked-about African originals of the year. 
Mokoena’s presence in Bad Influencer added depth to a series that blends suspense with sharp social commentary, reaffirming his range in contemporary streaming narratives. Across his long career he has taken on a wide variety of roles in television and film and in 2025 his work continued to reflect both his versatility and his enduring appeal as a performer.
- Daniel Etim Effiong
In 2025 Daniel Etim Effiong solidified his spot as the most influential and compelling screen talent in African cinema, delivering a landmark year that blended powerful acting with bold creative leadership. He starred in and directed The Herd, a gritty Nigerian crime thriller that became one of the year’s most talked-about releases. The film, which he also co-wrote and led on screen as Gosi, tackled complex themes of survival, betrayal, and societal pressures through a gripping narrative about a violent kidnapping and was widely discussed both for its storytelling and its cultural impact. The Herd premiered in cinemas in October before hitting Netflix and quickly claimed the number one spot on the platform’s chart, demonstrating Effiong’s ability to command both critical and commercial attention.
Beyond his directorial triumph, Effiong continued a prolific acting run with performances across a range of 2025 projects that showcased his versatility. He appeared in Summer Rain, a film that paired him with an ensemble of Nollywood’s rising stars, reinforcing his appeal in both drama and contemporary storytelling. He also featured in Aso Ebi Diaries, where his on-screen presence added depth and nuance to a stylish social narrative, and short film work like Behind a Lie and Fractured, reflecting his commitment to varied creative expressions. 
Effiong’s 2025 was more than a showcase of range; it was a statement of artistic authority. As an actor, director, and storyteller he anchored some of the year’s most resonant narratives. His work this year not only captivated audiences but also helped push Nigerian cinema further onto the global stage, reaffirming his place at the very top of African film.
The 25 of 25 list reflects a year where African actors did more than simply appear on screen. In 2025, they shaped conversations, challenged narratives, and expanded the reach of African storytelling across cinemas, television, and global streaming platforms. From emerging talents making decisive breakthroughs to established names redefining longevity and influence, each actor on this list contributed meaningfully to a year that proved African cinema is no longer rising, but firmly standing in its power.
Together, these performances capture the breadth of the continent’s creative force. They represent different industries, languages, genres, and generations, yet are united by impact, consistency, and cultural relevance. As African film and television continue to command global attention, the actors celebrated in this list are not just faces of the moment, but pillars of a growing legacy that will shape storytelling for years to come.
