Top 10 Shows That Showcase Wunmi Mosaku’s Incredible Talent

As a movie critic, I can confidently say that “Sinners,” under the masterful direction of Ryan Coogler (famed for his work on “Black Panther”), has already left an indelible mark in the cinematic world. This chilling horror tale is expertly woven against the haunting landscape of the Mississippi Delta during 1932. Michael B. Jordan, who previously captivated us as Erik Killmonger in “Black Panther,” steps into the shoes of Smoke and Stack, twin brothers with a dark secret – they’ve stolen gangster money to establish a juke joint for their community.

Before the supernatural elements of the story unfold, we see these brothers rallying local friends and family to help set up the juke joint. This diverse group includes Smoke’s estranged wife, Annie, a Hoodoo practitioner portrayed brilliantly by Wunmi Mosaku. The anticipation is palpable as we await the unraveling of this gripping tale.

In the promotional material for the film, there’s a strong emphasis on the frightening aspects and the star-studded cast led by Coogler, Jordan, and Hailee Steinfeld from Dickinson. However, it is Mosaku who steals the show as the intelligent, capable, and self-confident character Annie. With roots in Nigeria and upbringing in England, Mosaku boasts nearly two decades of acting experience, making her stage debut back in 2007. Since then, she has garnered BAFTA, Rome Fiction Festival, and British Independent Film awards, and has been seen in films like “His House” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” as well as numerous critically acclaimed television series.

‘Dancing on the Edge’ (2013)

In a departure from his initial television appearances, but much like the series Sinners, “Dancing on the Edge” is deeply immersed in the rhythm of jazz music. This six-part miniseries premiered on BBC Two and chronicles the journey of a Black jazz band as they make their way to stardom in London during the 1930s. Chiwetel Ejiofor, known for his role in “The Life of Chuck“, leads the cast, which also includes Matthew Goode (“The Crown”), Angel Coulby (“Merlin”), and Joanna Vanderham (Warrior). The show earned an Emmy nomination and three Golden Globe nods, winning one.

In this rendition, Mosaku portrays a timid vocalist character named Carla. Initially, she takes a supporting role behind the main band singer, Jessie Taylor (Coulby). Despite their lifelong friendship, Jessie is unable to perform, and Carla steps in, gaining genuine fame for the first time. Mosaku delivers an outstanding performance as Carla, and this role also marks one of her first appearances in exquisite period clothing costumes.

‘In the Flesh’ (2014)

For two seasons on BBC Three, the series titled “In the Flesh” unfolds as a supernatural drama in a world post-zombie apocalypse. Luke Newberry (known from Anna Karenina) plays Kieren, a rehabilitated zombie making his way back to his parents’ residence with dreams of living harmoniously among the living again. In 2014, this captivating series earned two BAFTA Award nominations and took home one of them as well.

In six episodes, the character Mosaku portrays Maxine Martin, who serves as the village’s representative in Parliament. From the get-go, Maxine criticizes the reintegration plan, but her role isn’t simply that of a villain. Instead, she has hidden aspects of her own, which could potentially bring an end to the political standing she has worked hard to establish.

‘Fearless’ (2017)

Produced by Patrick Harbinson, who’s known for his work on Law & Order: SVU, Fearless is an ITV crime thriller spanning six episodes and starring the late Helen McCrory. The series follows the journey of human rights lawyer Emma Banville (McCrory), as she tirelessly works to clear a man who was wrongfully convicted 14 years ago for murder.

In six episodes, Mosaku portrays DCS Olivia Greenwood, who was initially in charge of an investigation 14 years prior. Since then, she has climbed the ranks in counterterrorism. However, there are doubts about whether the confession she obtained back then was forced. Although Greenwood believes the man who confessed is guilty, Banville isn’t convinced. Mosaku shared with The i Paper that playing such a character was enjoyable, “She is at the pinnacle of her career and exceptional at what she does.” Her personal life is irrelevant to her. She is solely dedicated to seeking justice, and it’s intriguing to see a female character like this.

‘The End of the F***ing World’ (2017-2019)

According to the comic authored by Charles Forsman, “The End of the Fing World” is a blend of comedy and drama, broadcasted over two seasons on Channel 4. Alex Lawther portrays James, a youth who suspects he could be a psychopath, yearning to take a life. When Alyssa (played by Jessica Barden), another teenager, proposes they escape together, James sees this as an opportunity to fulfill his dark desires. This captivating Netflix series received recognition with two Emmy Award nominations and three BAFTA Award nominations, winning two of them.

In the series, Mosaku portrays DC Teri Darego, a tough detective who appears in five out of sixteen episodes. Darego takes charge of the missing persons case involving James and Alyssa. Critics at Collider praise Mosaku for delivering an outstanding supporting performance, skillfully blending powerful dramatic scenes with humorously timed comedic moments.

‘Luther’ (2019)

Luther, starring Idris Elba as DCI Detective John Luther, is a highly acclaimed crime thriller that first aired on BBC One in 2010. Regarded as one of the top British TV series in recent years, it ran for five seasons with each season having between two and six episodes. In 2023, a film sequel titled “Luther: The Fallen Sun” was released by BBC Film and Netflix, featuring some of the original cast members.

In the fifth season of Luther, Mosaku joined the cast as Detective Sergeant Catherine Halliday. This role was something Mosaku took great pride in, as she had auditioned for the show during its very first season, a full nine years prior. As Mosaku shared with IndieWire, “I remember reading the script and falling completely in love with it, and desperately wanting the part, but I didn’t get it. And when I watched the season, I really wanted to be a part of it.” Mosaku found herself identifying with Halliday on a personal level, and this role helped catapult her into the international limelight.

‘Lovecraft Country’ (2020)

The television series Lovecraft Country, which aired on HBO for just one season, has left a lasting impression in the cosmic horror genre. This show was adapted from Matt Ruff’s novel and developed for screens by Misha Green, creator of Underground. The series is set in 1950s America and incorporates fantasy elements, shedding light on the Black community’s experiences amidst the brutal violence of “sundown towns”. It received one BAFTA nomination and five Critics’ Choice Awards, with Michael Kenneth Williams (from Boardwalk Empire) winning for Best Supporting Actor.

In “Lovecraft Country,” Mosaku delivers an outstanding portrayal as Ruby Baptiste, the older half-sister to Letitia “Leti” Lewis, a photographer (Jurnee Smollett). Ruby is a gifted blues artist struggling to create a life for herself amidst entrenched racism and sexism. As Mosaku explained to Elle, discussing Ruby’s anger and frustrations stirred up personal feelings. “I had to delve deep and confront many things that I had pushed aside,” she said.

‘Loki’ (2021-2023)

In the popular Marvel movie, Thor, Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Loki was highly appreciated by fans. So, when it was announced that Loki would star in his own TV series titled “Loki” on Disney+ in 2021, this didn’t come as a shock. Over two seasons, the intriguing comic book storyline garnered nine Emmy nominations. The ensemble cast featured Sophia Di Martino (known for Casualty), Owen Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Morning Show), and Eugene Cordero (Kong: Skull Island).

In the role of Hunter B-15, Mosaku appears as a Time Variance Authority enforcer tasked with preventing Loki from causing chaos in the timeline. Spanning across two seasons, Mosaku’s character continues into the 2024 film titled “Deadpool & Wolverine“. Interestingly, it was discovered that Mosaku and Hiddleston have a long-standing friendship, as they both graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Mosaku expressed her delight over her part in the series to The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “I absolutely love it! I get to play mean; I get to argue and fight with my friend. It’s enjoyable playing such a character because it’s so different from what you can be in real life.

‘We Own This City’ (2022)

“We Own This City” is an HBO crime drama series, adapted from Justin Fenton’s non-fiction book, that delves into the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force scandal. This scandal led to the conviction of eight police officers on charges of corruption. The main character, Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, portrayed by Jon Bernthal (The Punisher), was one of the officers who stood trial. The miniseries consisted of six episodes and earned nominations for two Satellite Awards.

In this adaptation, Mosaku assumes the character of Attorney Nicole Steele, who works within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Unlike other fictional personas in the narrative, Nicole Steele is not modeled after a real individual. The production process proved challenging for both cast and crew, yet Mosaku viewed it as a significant story worth sharing. “I sensed a sense of urgency,” she shared with Newsweek. “It’s a subject that resonates here in America, concerning police brutality and the ‘defund the police’ movement, but also echoes in Nigeria and the UK.

‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)

Max’s creation, titled “Scanners’ Reach“, is a captivating 12-episode adult-oriented animated series that derives inspiration from the short film “Scavengers“. The narrative unfolds around the crew of an interstellar cargo ship who find themselves stranded on a perilous alien planet, Vesta. Distinguished voice actors such as Sunita Mani (“Evil Eye“), Alia Shawkat (“Blink Twice“) and Bob Stephenson (“Lady Bird“) lend their talents to this production. Notably, it has been recognized with two Emmy Award nominations, securing one of them as a victory.

Mosaku portrays the role of Azi, a skilled cargo handler who finds herself stuck on the alien planet alongside a robot named Levi (Shawkat). Despite her predicament, Azi remains hopeful for rescue and continues sending radio signals in the belief that someone might pick up her calls. She’s resolute on leaving Vesta, willing to take whatever measures necessary to achieve this goal.

‘Passenger’ (2024)

In the year 2024, ‘Passenger’ – a six-part dark comedy thriller – graced ITV screens. In this production, Mosaku portrays Riya Ajunwa, a retired Metropolitan Police officer, who relocates to Chadder Vale to look after her mother-in-law, coincidentally at the time when the town starts witnessing peculiar crimes. The star-studded cast includes David Threlfall (known for ‘Hot Fuzz’), Daniel Ryan (‘Linda Green’), Rowan Robinson (‘A Haunting in Venice’), and Barry Sloane (‘The Company You Keep’). This series was a BAFTA Whale nominee in two categories, winning for its exceptional Photography and Lighting.

Being at the top of the call sheet meant a lot… Being part of the script development process, participating in auditions… it felt like a crucial milestone in my career.

2025-04-27 00:37