All 31 MCU Actors Who Have Also Starred in Black Mirror

As a big movie and TV fan, I’ve noticed something really cool: a lot of actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe also pop up in *Black Mirror*. *Black Mirror* first came out in 2011, and it’s basically like a modern *Twilight Zone* – every episode is a completely different story, usually set in a slightly scary, futuristic world with really advanced tech. It often goes wrong, leading to pretty dark consequences! The show has gotten amazing reviews, and it’s no surprise that some big names are drawn to it.

Because each *Black Mirror* episode features a unique story and world, most actors and characters only appear once. A few have returned for multiple episodes, but the show’s short format allows even very famous actors – including many from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – to participate. By the end of *Black Mirror* season 7, which notably included the show’s first direct sequel, a total of 31 actors who have also appeared in the MCU had been featured in this acclaimed and often unsettling anthology series.

31) Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi and Bingham “Bing” Madsen

Although no actors from the first episode of *Black Mirror* have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (so far), Daniel Kaluuya, who starred in the second episode, “Fifteen Million Merits,” later joined the MCU. He played W’Kabi in the 2018 film *Black Panther*. In the movie, W’Kabi supported Killmonger’s takeover of Wakanda, which eventually led to his imprisonment.

30) Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr’s Ghost, Selma Telse, and Sonja

I was so excited to see Hannah John-Kamen back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost! It’s great they’re bringing back characters from earlier films like *Ant-Man and the Wasp*. But you know, she’s been popping up in some really interesting stuff for a while now. I remember a quick but memorable appearance in that *Black Mirror* episode, “Fifteen Million Merits,” and then she had a bigger role in the “Playtest” episode from season 3. She played Sonya, a Londoner who sets Wyatt Russell’s character, Cooper, up with this crazy experimental video game. It’s cool seeing MCU actors show up in different projects like that!

29) Hayley Atwell as Margaret “Peggy” Carter and Martha

Hayley Atwell delivered a particularly moving performance in the 2013 Black Mirror episode, “Be Right Back.” This role came just two years after she first became known as Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), a character she continued to portray through the What If…? series and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). In the episode, Atwell plays Martha, a woman who uses AI to recreate her late boyfriend, Ash (Domhnall Gleeson). Ultimately, she discovers that no artificial version can truly replace a real person, leading to a deeply sad and poignant conclusion.

28) Alice Eve as Mary Walker and Naomi Blestow

The shows *The Defenders Saga*, originally released on Netflix from 2015 to 2019, were officially established as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in early 2024. This confirmation brought Alice Eve’s character, Mary Walker, into the official MCU timeline. Eve first played a significant role as a mercenary with dissociative identity disorder in season two of *Iron Fist*. Before that, in 2016, she appeared as Naomi Blestow in the first episode of Netflix’s *Black Mirror* season three, titled “Nosedive.” In that episode, Naomi lived in a society fixated on social media approval, which created tension with her friend and maid of honor, Lacie Pound (played by Bryce Dallas Howard).

27) Michaela Coel as Aneka’s Midnight Angel, Airline Stewardess, and Shania Lowry

Michaela Coel, a celebrated British actor, comedian, writer, and director, recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). She debuted as Aneka, a Wakandan warrior, in the 2022 film *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*, where her character became a Midnight Angel alongside Okoye (Danai Gurira). Fans are hoping Coel will return to the MCU, but she didn’t repeat her role as Shania Lowry in *Black Mirror*. She originally played Shania in season 4’s “USS Callister,” and the show later revealed the character had died off-screen in season 7’s sequel, “USS Callister: Into Infinity.”

26) Wyatt Russell as John Walker’s US Agent and Cooper

Wyatt Russell, who starred with Hannah John-Kamen in “Playtest,” has become a significant figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He took on the role of the new Captain America, succeeding Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, first appearing as John Walker in *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*. He later reprised the role as US Agent in *Thunderbolts*, ultimately joining the New Avengers. However, Russell’s character in *Black Mirror* met a much darker fate; his character, Cooper, tragically died during a playtest at SaitoGemu.

25) Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15, Katie, and TV Joan’s Lawyer

Before starring as Hunter B-15 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s *Loki* series, Wunmi Mosaku appeared with Wyatt Russell in a *Black Mirror* episode called “Playtest,” where she worked for the company running the test. She later returned to *Black Mirror* for season 6’s “Joan is Awful,” playing Joan’s lawyer on the show-within-a-show. Mosaku recently reprised her MCU role in 2024’s *Deadpool & Wolverine* and is set to continue playing Hunter B-15 as the Time Variance Authority remains important to the ongoing Multiverse Saga in Phase 6.

24) Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ravonna Renslayer and Kelly

Before Gugu Mbatha-Raw became known for playing Ravonna Renslayer in the Marvel series *Loki* in 2021, she starred in a highly acclaimed episode of *Black Mirror* called “San Junipero.” In that episode, she played Kelly, falling in love and marrying Mackenzie Davis’ character, Yorkie, in a nostalgic, 1980s-inspired digital world. Mbatha-Raw took on a much darker role as Renslayer, a judge who worked with He Who Remains to control time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the events of *Loki* season 2, it’s unclear what her future holds in the MCU.

23) Benedict Wong as Wong and Shaun Li

Benedict Wong is a key player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the Sorcerer Supreme and a strong supporter of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). While it’s unknown when he’ll reappear in an MCU film, possibilities include *Avengers: Doomsday* or a future *Doctor Strange 3* movie. He also starred in the *Black Mirror* season 3 finale, “Hated in the Nation,” as NCA agent Shaun Li. In that episode, he investigates the use of drone bees for assassinations linked to the #DeathTo campaign and ultimately shuts down the system, causing the drones to turn on everyone who had used the hashtag.

22) Claire Rushbrook as Janice and Police Detective

Claire Rushbrook, a British actress, has appeared in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the series *Black Mirror*. In *Spider-Man: Far From Home* (2019), she played Janice, a key member of Mysterio’s team. Janice was responsible for creating Mysterio’s suit and discovered the EDITH technology, both crucial to his plan. She also had a small role in the *Black Mirror* episode “Crocodile” (season 4, episode 3), where she’s a detective who uses a memory recall device on a guinea pig to uncover Mia’s attempt to hide a crime.

21) Asim Chaudhry as Teefs and Mohan Thakur

Asim Chaudhry first played Mohan Thakur, a manager at the video game company Tuckersoft, in the interactive *Black Mirror* episode “Bandersnatch.” Thakur hired Colin Ritman, the creator of the Bandersnatch game. Chaudhry reprised his role as Thakur in season 7’s “Plaything,” where he introduced young Cameron Walker to Ritman and the Thronglets. More recently, Chaudhry delivered a moving performance in *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* as Teefs, one of Rocket’s companions who was experimented on by the High Evolutionary. Sadly, Teefs died helping Rocket escape from the High Evolutionary’s lab.

20) Will Poulter as Adam Warlock and Colin Ritman

Ramiz Chaudhry wasn’t the only actor who appeared in both *Black Mirror’s* “Bandersnatch” and *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*. Will Poulter played game creator Colin Ritman in “Bandersnatch” and a later *Black Mirror* episode, and he also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as the powerful Adam Warlock in Phase 5. At the end of *Vol. 3*, Adam officially joined the Guardians of the Galaxy, leading fans to hope he’ll return and grow even more powerful in future MCU films. Colin Ritman might also reappear in *Black Mirror*, especially after creating the Thronglets, which took control of humanity.

19) Letitia Wright as Shuri and Nish

Letitia Wright first gained widespread recognition as Shuri, the Princess of Wakanda, in the 2018 film *Black Panther*. Following her brother’s death in 2022’s *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*, she took on the mantle of the Black Panther. Wright is expected to remain a central figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including a return in *Avengers: Doomsday*. However, she’s also well-known to fans of *Black Mirror* for her performance in the critically acclaimed episode “Black Museum” from season 4. In that episode, she played Nish, the daughter of the holographic attraction at a disturbing museum filled with references to the *Black Mirror* universe.

18) Amanda Warren as Dr. Gallo and Angelica

In the “Black Museum” episode, Letitia Wright’s character, Nish, was the focus, but we also saw her mother, Angelica, who exists as a digital consciousness. Amanda Warren played Angelica in a short appearance. Interestingly, Warren also had a small role as Dr. Gallo in the first season finale of *Jessica Jones*, titled “AKA Smile.” Dr. Gallo was one of the doctors who unsuccessfully tried to treat Luke Cage, as they couldn’t penetrate his skin, prompting Claire Temple to take over his medical care.

17) Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson’s Captain America and Danny Parker

Anthony Mackie first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014’s *Captain America: The Winter Soldier* and has since become a key figure as the new Captain America, Sam Wilson. He took the lead in his own movie, *Captain America: Brave New World*, in 2025, and will lead a new Avengers team in *Doomsday* – a role quite different from his work on *Black Mirror*. In season 5 of *Black Mirror*, titled “Striking Vipers,” Mackie played Danny Parker, a man who reconnects with an old friend through a virtual reality game that includes virtual sexual encounters, which creates problems in his marriage.

16) Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams’ Wonder Man and Karl

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II played Karl Houghton, one half of the virtual reality gaming pair in “Striking Vipers.” Within the game, Karl transforms into a female avatar named Roxette (played by another actor familiar from the Marvel Cinematic Universe) and initiates a virtual relationship with his friend, Danny. While Abdul-Mateen II hasn’t appeared in the MCU yet, he’s scheduled to star as the superhero Simon Williams in the Disney+ series *Wonder Man*, coming in December 2025.

15) Pom Klementieff as Mantis and Roxette

Pom Klementieff plays Roxette in the video game featured in the *Black Mirror* episode “Striking Vipers.” She’s also well-known for her role as Mantis in the *Guardians of the Galaxy* movies. In “Striking Vipers,” Karl develops a virtual relationship with Danny through their game avatars, with Klementieff playing Roxette, the character Karl uses. Mantis, unlike Roxette, is an empathetic alien and Star-Lord’s half-sister. Though she left the Guardians team in *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* to pursue her own adventures, her future with the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains open.

14) Daniel Ings as Ty-Rone and David Gilkes

Daniel Ings had a small role in the 2023 film *The Marvels*, playing Ty-Rone, a Kree ally to Zawe Ashton’s Dar-Benn, and assisting her in the search for the Quantum Bands. He also appeared in the *Black Mirror* season 5 episode “Smithereens” as David Gilkes, a hostage negotiator who unsuccessfully tried to convince Chris (Andrew Scott) to release Jaden (Damson Idris). While these were brief appearances, Ings is more widely recognized for his work in shows like *Lovesick, Sex Education, Instinct,* and *The Gentlemen*.

13) Ruibo Qian as Mei, Detective Angie Kim, and Penelope Wu

Ruibo Qian is joining a growing list of Marvel Cinematic Universe actors who have played multiple roles. She first appeared in the MCU as Mei, a roommate of Hope Shlottman in *Jessica Jones*. More recently, she had a significant part as Detective Angie Kim in *Daredevil: Born Again*. Qian is set to return for season two of *Daredevil: Born Again* in 2026. Before her MCU roles, she also appeared in an episode of *Black Mirror* titled “Smithereens,” playing Penelope Wu, the COO of Smithereens who helps connect Chris with the company’s CEO, Billy Bauer.

12) Miley Cyrus as Mainframe and Ashley O

Miley Cyrus’s connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is minor. She briefly voiced the character Mainframe in a post-credits scene of 2017’s *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*, but the role was later given to Tara Strong for *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*. Cyrus has a more significant role in *Black Mirror*, playing pop star Ashley Ortiz and the AI version of her, Ashley Too. The show explores a compelling and somewhat dark story where Ashley Too is revealed to be a copy of Ashley’s mind, and Cyrus delivers a standout performance.

11) Angourie Rice as Betty Brant and Rachel Goggins

In the fifth season of *Black Mirror*, Miley Cyrus played Ashley O in the episode “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too,” alongside Angourie Rice as Rachel Goggins. The episode’s plot begins when a fan receives an Ashley Too doll. Rice also plays Betty Brant in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and her character has been involved in major storylines at Spider-Man’s school. It’s currently unknown if Rice will reprise her role as Betty Brant in future MCU projects, especially since her character, like many others, forgot Peter Parker in the 2021 film *Spider-Man: No Way Home*.

10) Salma Hayek as Ajak, TV Joan, and Herself

The first episode of *Black Mirror* season 6, “Joan is Awful,” presented a clever and unexpected story. Salma Hayek played a fictionalized version of herself, and also starred as Joan Tait, the main character in the TV show *Joan is Awful* within the series. Hayek’s performance was striking in *Black Mirror*, much like her role as Ajak, the leader of the Eternals, in the 2021 film *Eternals*. Ajak was the first Eternal, communicated with the powerful Celestial Arishem, and had healing powers, but she was ultimately killed by Ikaris and the Deviants to ensure the Emergence happened.

9) Rob Delaney as Peter Wisdom and Mac

The show “Joan is Awful” featured several actors familiar from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Rob Delaney. He played Mac, a character trying to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend Joan (Annie Murphy), but many fans will recognize him from his MCU roles. Delaney first appeared in 2018’s *Deadpool 2* as Peter Wisdom, a member of Deadpool’s X-Force team, and returned in 2024’s *Deadpool & Wolverine* after surviving the events of *Deadpool 2*. His character developed a relationship with B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku), a high-ranking member of the Time Variance Authority, potentially setting him up for future appearances in the MCU.

8) Ben Barnes as Billy Russo’s Jigsaw and TV Mac

Rob Delaney played Mac in the reality featuring Annie Murphy as Joan. In a different reality within the show, where Salma Hayek played Joan, Ben Barnes took on the role of Mac. He only had a quick appearance during the restaurant scene in “Joan is Awful,” but Barnes is well-known for his larger role as Billy Russo, Jigsaw, in *The Punisher*. Russo was once Frank Castle’s (Jon Bernthal) close friend, but it was discovered he’d betrayed Castle and was aware of the plan to harm his family. This led to a fight, Russo’s severe injuries, and ultimately, his death.

7) Leila Farzad as Talia and Mona Javadi

Leila Farzad is an actress well-known for playing characters like Mona Javadi in *Black Mirror’s* “Joan is Awful,” where she was the CEO of Streamberry. While her *Black Mirror* role put her at odds with the main characters, she played a more positive character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She first appeared in 2023’s *The Marvels* as Talia, a member of Nick Fury’s team on the SABER Space Station. There, she investigated strange occurrences and assisted the heroes in dealing with a new threat.

6) Kate Mara as US Marshal and Lana

It’s easy to forget, but Kate Mara actually *was* in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! She had a really quick cameo in *Iron Man 2* back in 2010 – she played a US Marshal who briefly flirts with Tony Stark before he speeds off. She had a bigger part as Sue Storm in that *Fantastic Four* reboot from 2015, which… didn’t exactly win anyone over. But honestly, I was blown away by her performance in the latest season of *Black Mirror*. She played Lana in the episode “Beyond the Sea,” and it was fantastic. She’s the wife of Aaron Paul’s character, and she gets caught up in all the emotional fallout from a traumatic event involving his crewmate, played by Josh Hartnett. It’s a really compelling role and she absolutely nails it.

5) Danny Ramirez as Joaquín Torres’ Falcon and Hector

Now that Sam Wilson has become Captain America, a new hero was needed to take on the Falcon role, and Danny Ramirez was perfect for the job. He debuted as the Falcon in *Captain America: Brave New World* and will continue in the role in future projects like *Doomsday*. This heroic part is quite a change from his recent role in *Black Mirror* season 6’s “Mazey Day,” where he played a photographer named Hector. In that episode, Hector and Bo (Zazie Beetz) search for the missing Mazey Day (Clara Rugaard), but find themselves in danger when she turns into a werewolf, and Hector sadly doesn’t survive.

4) Anjana Vasan as Reporter, Tranquility Space Cop Fan, Nida Huq, and Unnamed Player

Anjana Vasan is one of the most frequent performers in the *Black Mirror* universe, having appeared as three different characters. She played a fan of the show-within-a-show *Sea of Tranquility* in “Nosedive,” a gamer in “USS Callister: Into Infinity,” and, most memorably, Nida Huq. Huq was the central character in the season 6 episode “Demon 79,” where she’s cursed by a demon (played by Paapa Essiedu) who convinces her she must commit three murders to save the world. Vasan also had a very small, insignificant role as a reporter in *Spider-Man: Far From Home*.

3) Chris O’Dowd as Richard and Mike

The seventh season of *Black Mirror* began with the heartbreaking episode “Common People,” featuring Chris O’Dowd as Mike and Rashida Jones as Amanda. Mike enrolls Amanda in a program called Rivermind hoping to save her from a fatal brain tumor, but this decision leads to a life filled with constant advertisements, exhaustion, financial struggles, and endless streaming content. This role is a stark contrast to O’Dowd’s smaller, lighter appearance in the 2013 film *Thor: The Dark World*, where he played Richard, an ordinary man who goes on a date with Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster before she reconnects with Thor (Chris Hemsworth).

2) Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova and Dorothy Chambers

In the seventh season of *Black Mirror*, the episode “Hotel Reverie” featured Emma Corrin as Dorothy Chambers, a classic Hollywood actress known for playing Clara in the film of the same name. The episode explored a poignant romance between Dorothy and Alex Palmer (Issa Rae), with Corrin delivering a deeply moving performance. However, it’s difficult to picture Corrin’s character from *Deadpool & Wolverine* handling such a delicate storyline. In that film, Corrin played Cassandra Nova, Professor X’s powerful sister, who attempts to destroy the multiverse using the TVA’s Time Ripper, but is ultimately unsuccessful.

1) Awkwafina as Katy and Kimmy

Issa Rae and Emma Corrin star in “Hotel Reverie,” a movie set within virtual reality. Awkwafina plays Kimmy, a representative from the tech company ReDream, who helps Issa Rae’s character, Brandy Friday, participate in the new version of “Hotel Reverie.” Kimmy also enables Brandy to connect with a digital version of Clara’s mind at the episode’s conclusion. Although Awkwafina’s future with the Marvel Cinematic Universe after her role as Katy in 2021’s *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* is uncertain, her impressive archery skills and close friendship with Shang-Chi make a return to the MCU highly desirable.

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2025-09-15 03:16