Summary
- Daveed Diggs' diverse talents as an actor, writer, and musician contribute to his success in movies and TV shows.
- Diggs' sensitivity and melodic charm enhance his performances, making him a standout in roles such as Mr. Browne in Wonder and, more recently, as Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid and
- Diggs' most remarkable and iconic role to date is his performance in Hamilton, where he originated the roles of Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson and showcased his exceptional skills as a performer.
Daveed Diggs' movies and TV shows confirm his status as one of the most exciting talents of the modern TV and film landscape. The actor first appeared on the mainstream radar in 2015, when he originated the dual roles of Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton. Diggs would go on to earn a Grammy, a Tony, and an Emmy nomination for his performance. However, as Diggs’ career has progressed, it has become clear that his musical theater chops are only the tip of the iceberg.
Like many emergent talents, Daveed Diggs is a multi-hyphenate. The actor-writer-musician has proven his unique prowess for every part of the title. Moreover, Diggs’ experience as frontman of the critically acclaimed experimental hip-hop group clipping, and as an award-nominated screenwriter, informs his skill as an actor. The sensitivity with which Diggs seems to approach his roles and the melodic charm of his spoken-word delivery are instrumental to his success. It’s worth examining which shows and movies see Diggs shine the brightest, from Disney's The Little Mermaid live-action remake to older roles.
10 The Little Mermaid (2023)
The Little Mermaid is considered one of Disney’s best live-action remakes. While its 135-minute runtime somewhat outstays its welcome, the film is carried by its strong casting. Halle Bailey is the obvious highlight as Ariel. The actress’ remarkable singing voice elevates the role and heartily justifies retooling the original film’s soundtrack. Daveed Diggs is likewise a strong choice for Sebastian the Crab. Although Diggs’ voice lacks the rich vibrancy that made Samuel E. Wright’s original version of “Under The Sea” a bona fide classic, it’s still a deeply likable performance, and his melodic rapping skills are perfectly suited to the new number, “TheScuttlebutt.”
9 Wonder (2017)
Wonder tells the story of a boy who seeks to integrate into the fifth grade after having been homeschooled his entire life due to a rare facial condition. It’s an earnest, inspiring film, albeit one that rarely deviates from the expected formula for such a story. Wonder is buoyed by an excellent cast, including Jacob Tremblay in the lead role, and Julia Roberts as his mother. Daveed Diggs plays Mr. Browne, a teacher who aims to support the protagonist as he makes the difficult transition. It’s a role uniquely suited to the natural warmth and authenticity Diggs exudes.
8 Blindspotting (2021-Present)
A TV continuation of the 2018 film starring and co-written by Daveed Diggs, the Starz series Blindspotting follows Ashley, a single mother who must navigate the political and philosophical struggles of daily life after her partner is arrested. The series keeps up the offbeat humor and meditative beauty of the original film while dedicating more time to answering the ideological questions its predecessor posed. It’s disappointing to see Diggs only play a minor role in the series, given how instrumental he was to the success of the film, but Diggs’ co-creator role on the show ensures that Blindspotting still glows with wit and honesty.
7 Snowpiercer (2020-2023)
While the TNT show Snowpiercer is a far cry from the 2013 sci-fi film on which it’s based, the show manages to find charms of its own. Like the film, the show takes place on a perpetually moving train which serves as an ark for the remainders of humanity, heavily divided on the basis of class. In becoming a crime procedural, the Snowpiercer show's story surrenders some of the dynamism of the original film, but Daveed Diggs is a highlight as the series lead, a homicide detective in the train’s oppressed third class. It’s a soft-spoken, pensive performance that helps elevate the show from common case-of-the-week fare to new and resonant territory.
6 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2020)
Tina Fey’s 30 Rock follow-up Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows a woman who seeks to start a new life in New York City after having spent 15 years being held captive in an underground bunker. It’s a hilariously irreverent show that maintains the same rapid-fire satirical comedy style that made 30 Rock shine while distinguishing itself with a greater focus on character development and resonant emotional themes. Daveed Diggs plays Perry, a mature student and Kimmy’s romantic interest in the third season. While Diggs doesn’t get much of an opportunity to flex his comedic talents in the role, he brings warmth and charisma in spades.
5 Black-ish (2014-2022)
Daveed Diggs plays a major role in the third season of Black-ish, the sitcom about a Black family’s attempts to navigate questions of cultural identity in a predominantly white, middle-class neighborhood. It’s a show that earned sustained praise with its deft balance of light comedy and serious social and political inquiry. Diggs’ character Johan, the hippie brother of matriarch Bow, is a great example of this phenomenon. Johan’s fringe politics and laid-back lifestyle conduct both a comic and ideological function. That being said, the character wouldn’t work at all without Diggs's performance imbuing a rugged likability to the character.
4 The Get-Down (2016-2017)
Visionary director Baz Luhrmann brought his talents to the early days of Netflix with The Get Down, a beautifully photographed, sonically rich rendering of the burgeoning disco and Hip Hop scene in New York’s South Bronx in the late 1970s. At times, Luhrmann’s storybook-esque narrative style clashes with the violent authenticity of the real-life setting, but the show gradually unifies these seemingly opposed forces. The series was canceled prematurely, but there’s no telling what heights The Get Down might have reached. Diggs narrates the series as Mr. Books, a role that sees the actor blending rap and speech to create a distinctive and semi-melodic delivery.
3 Soul (2020)
One of the best Pixar movies, Soul, follows a man who strives to reunite his soul and body following a sudden accident on the day of his big break as a jazz musician. The film is a beautiful, sensitive examination of passion and personhood, one which never loses sight of its central thesis, even amidst the imaginative fun of its fantastical world. Daveed Diggs plays a minor role in the film, appearing as Paul, a neighbor of the protagonist who taunts him for never reaching his potential. Diggs’ distinctive reading imbues the narratively functional lines with memorable characterization.
2 Blindspotting (2018)
Before the 2021 series, Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal wrote and starred in the indie gem Blindspotting. The film follows Diggs’ Collin, a recently incarcerated Black man who begins to evaluate the ways he and his volatile best friend are perceived through a lens of race and gentrification. It’s a poignant, curious, and wildly creative film that carefully constructs a powerful examination of the politics of perception. Blindspotting is also a hilarious film, one in which Diggs is given the opportunity to write about his many, many strengths. As such, the character of Collin is relatable, funny, sympathetic, and vividly engaging.
1 Hamilton (2020)
The role which rocketed Daveed Diggs to stardom is still his best. The filmed performance of the Broadway sensation Hamilton remains Lin-Manuel Miranda's best musical. The stage musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton saw Daveed Diggs originate two iconic roles, the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. They’re two wildly different characters, but both are brought to life by Diggs’ melodic delivery, fleet-footed lightness, and bottomless charisma. Hamilton is a work of unprecedented power; its lively blend of musical and dramatic forms makes it a remarkable and novel work, one which marked the arrival of a remarkable and novel talent in the form of Daveed Diggs.
