British actor David Jonsson is drawing praise as he steps into a new role in the "Black Panther" franchise, set to play the son of the late King T'Challa. Jonsson, known for his performances in "The Long Walk" and "Rye Lane," is being lauded for his ability to bring depth and humanity to his characters.
Content creator Gerry Otim, who reviews films and TV shows, described Jonsson as a "really exciting young actor" and "one of the best" currently working. "When he performs, you can see there's an emotional intelligence and subtlety to what he's bringing to screen," Otim told BBC Newsbeat. "Every performance feels deeply human, even though he might be playing different roles."
Otim noted Jonsson's versatility, referencing his charismatic portrayal in "The Long Walk" and the emotional vulnerability shown in "Rye Lane." "He's supremely talented," Otim added.
While some fans had speculated about other actors, such as Damson Idris, taking on a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Otim believes Jonsson's casting is particularly compelling because it was unexpected. He sees Jonsson's new character as a "great way of honouring, not just the memory of Chadwick [Boseman], but also the character of T'Challa."
"It's a character that meant so much to so many people," Otim said. "It's really cool just to see an African character who is so cool to watch on-screen. So I think this a great way of making sure that we don't disrespect T'Challa's legacy." The upcoming film will mark the next chapter for the "Black Panther" series, following the passing of star Chadwick Boseman, who originated the role of T'Challa.