Top 20 Black Vampires in Film and Television

Black folks have been largely absent from vampire mythos, which is commonly accepted as white and European. Vampire fiction first appeared in 18th-century with the publication of Polidori’s The Vampyre and would solidify it’s presence with the masterpiece of the genre, Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1897.

The melanated undead wouldn’t make an appearance until the iconic 1972 Blaxploitation film Blacula starring Shakespearean actor William H. Marshall as Prince Mamuwalde.  The film is often overlooked and stigmatized by it’s era but it was led by William Crain, a black director and opens with a dynamic story of an African prince seeking out Count Dracula in an effort to put a stop to the slave trade.

Although infrequent, Black Vampirism has made significant cultural impacts in film in television over the past 50 years, including Queen Of The Damned and The Blade trilogy, which began Marvel’s film success setting the stage for further comic book film adaptations.

Giving Shows: The  History Of The Melanated Undead

Prince Mamuwalde / Blacula – Blacula (1972)

Portrayed by William Marshall | Awakens centuries later and searches for the woman who resembles his lost love.

Dr. Hess Green & Ganja– Ganja & Hess (1973)

Portrayed by William Marshall | Awakens centuries later and searches for the woman who resembles his lost love.

Willis Daniels – Scream Blacula Scream (1973)

Portrayed by Richard Lawson | Resurrects Blacula through a ritual, then becomes part of the curse.

Countess Vampira – Vampira (1974)

Portrayed by Teresa Graves | Dracula’s bride awakens as a Black vampire after a botched transfusion.

Katrina – Vamp (1986)

Portrayed by Grace Jones | Mesmerizes the club’s visitors with her hypnotic performance.

Belle – Fright Night Part 2 (1988)

Portrayed by Russell Clark | The roller-skating vampire with lethal long nails.

The Temptress – Def by Temptation (1990)

Portrayed by Cynthia Bond | Preys on men; the cross is her supernatural vulnerability.

Maximillian – Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)

Portrayed by Eddie Murphy | Uses disguises and seduction to find a mate and preserve his vampire lineage.

Mr. Trick – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)

Portrayed by K. Todd Freeman | Organizes “SlayerFest ’98,” turning Buffy’s hunt into a spectacle.

Blade / Eric Brooks – Blade (1998)

Portrayed by Wesley Snipes | The Daywalker’s blood-rave entrance announces his vampire-hunting power

Queen Akasha – Queen of the Damned (2002)

Portrayed by Aaliyah | Awakens from her ancient tomb and sets out to rule humanity.

The Alpha Vampire – Supernatural (2005)

Portrayed by Rick Worthy| The first vampire and progenitor of the species

Tara Thornton – True Blood (2008)

Portrayed by Rutina Wesley | Pam turns her to save her life; Tara awakens to a new, dangerous strength.

Laurent – Twilight (2008)

Portrayed by Rutina Wesley | Pam turns her to save her life; Tara awakens to a new, dangerous strength

Marcel Gerard – The Originals (2013)

Portrayed by Charles Michael Davis| Rules New Orleans as a charismatic vampire king.

Ramona Royale – American Horror Story: Hotel (2013)

Portrayed by Angela Bassett| Actress turned vampire that pursues revenge against the Countess.

Marcel Gerard – Black as Night (2021)

Portrayed by Keith David | A former enslaved man turned vampire leads a New Orleans faction.

Louis de Pointe du Lac – Interview with the Vampire (2022)

Portrayed by Jacob Anderson| His first meeting with Lestat in 1910 New Orleans changes his life—and afterlife

Claudia– Interview with the Vampire (2022)

Portrayed by Bailey Bass (Season 1); Delainey Hayles (Season 2)| a vampire cursed to remain in a young body while possessing an adult intellect and emotional maturity.

Stack – Sinners (2022)

Portrayed by Michael B. Jordan | After he’s turned, his return to the juke joint puts him on the other side of the fight.