British Actor David Jonsson Announced as New Black Panther
David Jonsson, the 32-year-old British actor known for his roles in Industry, The Long Walk, and Alien: Romulus, has been officially cast as the new Black Panther. The announcement was made by director Ryan Coogler during Marvel Studios' Comic-Con International presentation on Saturday, with Jonsson appearing on stage alongside co-stars Letitia Wright and Winston Duke.
Coogler Reveals Character's Coming-of-Age Story
Coogler, who won the Oscar for best original screenplay for his vampire film Sinners earlier this year, stated: “The last time we got to make a movie, we introduced a character who is the son of the character that the great Chadwick Boseman played – our T’Challa – in that film. And today, I want to tell you that in this next film, he grows up, he comes of age.” Jonsson will portray the son of Boseman’s T’Challa, who was introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
Jonsson's Career and Response
Born in London, Jonsson began his career in the West End before making his screen debut in 2018 in two episodes of the British detective drama Endeavour. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Augustus “Gus” Sackey in the first two series of Industry (2020–2022). In 2025, he appeared in the adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk and won the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Jonsson also has upcoming roles in The Chaperones, Benn/Eubank, and Scandalous. He expressed gratitude at the event: “Thank you to this family that I have the honour and the blessing to join. I don’t want to say too much, because I want to let the screen do the talking.”
Release Date and Legacy
Black Panther III is scheduled for release in US cinemas on December 15, 2028, with a UK release date yet to be confirmed. The franchise continues after the death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 at age 43 due to colon cancer. The second film, Wakanda Forever, revealed that T’Challa had a son and followed Shuri (Letitia Wright) as the protagonist. The original 2018 film, set in the hidden African kingdom of Wakanda, won three Oscars. Coogler also co-produced the 2025 series Ironheart and Eyes of Wakanda.
