THESE THREE KINGS!!!

I can’t remember a time when three wildly successful shows airing at the same time featured Black male lead actors commanding the screen the way these Kings are doing right now. Sterling K. Brown in Paradise (Hulu), Aldis Hodge in Cross (Prime Video), and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in Man on Fire (Netflix) are absolutely on fire!

These men are bringing their A-game to every scene. Their performances are raw, riveting, real, and remarkable. I can’t take my eyes off them when they’re on screen — and not just because all three are easy on the eyes. It’s their essence that shines through and transcends the roles they’re playing. There’s a goodness to them. A strength. A humanity. You want to root for them. You can see their leadership, their kindness, their vulnerability. They represent so much of what is beautiful, powerful, and inspiring about Black men and Black kings.

Are they perfect? No. They’re flawed, layered, complicated human beings — and that’s exactly what makes their characters so relatable.

In Paradise, Brown plays Xavier Collins, a nuanced and intense action hero. In Season 1, he’s framed for the murder of the president (played by James Marsden). In Season 2, he’s searching for his wife, Teri, in the dangerous and drastically changed world outside the bunker. Brown is completely believable in this role, and he keeps me on the edge of my seat. He also serves as an executive producer on the series.

In Cross, Hodge plays brilliant Washington, D.C. detective and forensic psychologist Alex Cross, a man who investigates serial killers by analyzing their psychology. At the same time, he’s a grieving widower trying to solve the mystery surrounding the death of his wife while raising his two children. One of the strongest elements of the show is the brotherhood and partnership between Cross and his longtime best friend, Detective John Sampson, played by Isaiah Mustafa. Hodge is superb in the role. I’m completely riveted whenever he’s on screen. He also serves as an executive producer.

In Man on Fire, Abdul-Mateen II plays John Creasy, a PTSD-stricken Special Forces mercenary navigating a deadly revenge mission in Rio de Janeiro while protecting a young girl. Creasy is a damaged veteran searching for redemption and purpose, ultimately finding healing through protecting others instead of simply seeking vengeance. The role demands gritty action, emotional depth, and vulnerability, and Abdul-Mateen II delivers all of it brilliantly. Like Brown and Hodge, he also serves as an executive producer on the series.

It is not lost on me that all three actors are executive producers on their shows. I believe their influence behind the scenes is a major reason these series feel so authentic, layered, and emotionally grounded. These are not one-dimensional portrayals. These characters are complex, multifaceted human beings.

Bravo to all three Kings!!!