British actor David Jonsson has been officially revealed as the new Black Panther, taking on the iconic superhero role in a surprise announcement at Comic-Con in San Diego on Saturday, 25 July. The 32-year-old will portray Prince T'Challa II, the son of the original Black Panther, King T'Challa, famously played by the late Chadwick Boseman.
Jonsson, who was welcomed to the stage by returning director Ryan Coogler, expressed his gratitude, stating he was honoured to join the franchise's family. The London-born actor first gained widespread recognition for his role as Gus Sackey in the acclaimed HBO series 'Industry', which is available to stream in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW. He further cemented his rising star status with a critically praised performance in the 2023 romantic-comedy 'Rye Lane', which can be found on Disney+ in the UK.
His career has seen a rapid ascent in recent years, including appearances in the 2024 science fiction film 'Alien: Romulus' and the 2025 adaptation of Stephen King’s 'The Long Walk'. In a significant nod to his burgeoning talent, Jonsson was also awarded the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2025, an accolade that has previously recognised UK talent such as Tom Holland, Daniel Kaluuya, and Bukky Bakray.
The upcoming 'Black Panther 3' will continue the narrative established in 2022's 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever', where Jonsson's character was introduced as a child. Ryan Coogler, who earlier this year won an Oscar for Best Picture with his vampire film 'Sinners', is set to direct once again. He will be joined by returning cast members Letitia Wright as Shuri, the brilliant scientist and T'Challa's younger sister, and Winston Duke as M'Baku, the current King of Wakanda.
The original 'Black Panther' film, released in 2018, was a global phenomenon, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide and earning three Academy Awards from seven nominations. Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of T'Challa became a cultural touchstone, making him the first Black superhero to lead a major cinematic release. Following Boseman's death in 2020, Marvel Studios made the decision not to recast his character, instead choosing to explore the wider world of Wakanda and its diverse characters, a path that now sees Jonsson taking on the mantle of the next generation's protector.