As Halloween approaches, the captivating world of witches and vampires takes center stage in pop culture, offering a perfect opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contributions of Black actresses who have portrayed these iconic characters.
From classic films to contemporary series, these performances have not only showcased their talent but also brought rich, diverse interpretations to the archetypes of witches and vampires.
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One of the most iconic portrayals is Angela Bassett as Marie Laveau in American Horror Story: Coven. Bassett’s powerful performance as the legendary voodoo queen of New Orleans combines strength and mystique, resonating deeply with audiences.
Her ability to infuse the character with both fear and empathy highlights the depth that Black actresses bring to roles often steeped in cultural significance.
In the realm of vampires, we can’t overlook the remarkable work of actresses like Sanna Lathan, who starred in Blade: Trinity as the fierce vampire Nyssa.
Lathan’s portrayal brought a unique blend of seduction and strength to the role, showcasing the complexities of her character in a predominantly male-driven narrative. Her performance not only redefined vampire lore but also emphasized the importance of representation in genres often dominated by white actors.
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The recent Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina featured Miranda Otto as Zelda Spellman, but it’s Black actresses like Tati Gabrielle, who played Prudence, that brought fresh energy to the witchy ensemble.
The legacy of Black witches and vampires in film extends beyond just the screen. Many of these portrayals challenge traditional narratives, offering a lens through which audiences can explore complex themes of identity, power, and community.
This Halloween, as costumes and decorations adorn homes, the influence of Black actresses in witch and vampire roles serves as a reminder of the cultural richness they bring to the celebration.
Check out the Full List of Black Witches and Vampires Below
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Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
1. kat graham as bonnie bennett from the vampire diaries (2009 — 2017)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
2. rachel true as rochelle zimmerman from the craft (1996)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
3. jasmine guy as sheila “grams” bennett from the vampire diaries (2009 — 2017)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
4. persia white as abby bennett wilson from the vampire diaries (2009 — 2017)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
5. bianca lawson as emily bennett from the vampire diaries (2009 — 2017)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
6. tati gabrielle as prudence blackwood from the chilling adventures of sabrina (2018 — 2020)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
7. jaz sinclair as rosalind “roz” walker from the chilling adventures of sabrina (2018 — 2020)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
8. skye p. marshall as mambo marie from the chilling adventures of sabrina (2018 — 2020)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
9. tia mowry as alex fielding/artemis dubaer from twitches (2005 & 2007)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
10. tamera mowry as camryn barnes/apolla dubaer from twitches (2005 & 2007)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
11. kristen wilson as queen miranda dubaer from twitches (2005 & 2007)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
12. angela bassett as marie laveau from american horror story: coven (2013 — 2014)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
13. fredi washington as klili gordon from ouanga (1936)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
14. lena horne as glinda the good witch of the south from the wiz (1978)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
15. mabel king as the wicked witch of the west from the wiz (1978)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
16. thelma carpenter as miss one, the good witch of the north from the wiz (1978)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
17. debbi morgan as the seer from charmed (1998 — 2006)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
18. jurnee smollett-bell as eve bastiste from eve’s bayou (1997)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
19. diahann carroll as elzora from eve’s bayou (1997)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
20. eartha kitt as madame zeroni from holes (2003)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
21. china savors as dreama from sabrina, the teenage witch (1996 — 2003)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
22. sheryl lee ralph as hypolita laveau kropotkin from witch hunt (1994)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
23. pam grier as the dust witch from something wicked this way comes (1983)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
24. jenifer lewis as mama odie from the princess & the frog (2009)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
25. gabourey sidibe as queenie from american horror story: coven (2013 — 2014)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
26. lovie simone as tabby from the craft: legacy (2020)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
27. cynthia erivo as elphaba thropp/the wicked witch of the west from wicked (2024)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
28. aaliyah as queen akasha from queen of the damned (2002)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
29. vanessa morgan as sarah from my babysitter’s a vampire (2010 — 2012)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
30. sanaa lathan as vanessa brooks from blade (1998)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
31. Angela bassett as rita veder in vampire in brooklyn (1995)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
32. bailey bass as claudia from interview with the vampire (2022)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
33. delainey hayles as claudia from interview with the vampire s2 (2024)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
34. teresa graves as countess vampira in vampira/old dracula (1974)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
35. grace jones as katrina in vamp (1986)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
36. rutina wesley as tara thornton from true blood (2008 — 2014)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
37. marlene clark as ganja meda from ganja & hess (1973)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
38. cynthia bond as temptress from def by temptation (1990)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
39. jonetta kaiser as sonya karp from vampire academy (2022)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
40. anita-joy uwajeh as tatiana vogel from vampire academy (2022)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
41. tracey higgins & judi shekoni as senna & zafrina from breaking dawn: part 2 (2012)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
42. ashanti as lissa in buffy the vampire slayer (2003)
Top Black Actresses That Played Witches and Vampires was originally published on ronehot1009.staging.go.ione.nyc
