The Woman King cast features Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu and Lashana Lynch. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Gina Prince-Bythewood’s 2022 movie on Netflix. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast section.

The Woman King takes place in 1823 West Africa. As General Nanisca prepares for war against the Oyo Empire, she trains a group of female warriors. The narrative follows the title character as she solidifies her legacy on the battlefield. Here’s every main actor and character in The Woman King.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Your Place or Mine’

The Woman King Cast: Viola Davis as General Nanisca

Character Profile: The leader of the Agojie. She prepares for a war while thinking about a sexual assault from the past. General Nanisca reunites with her estranged daughter.

Davis’ Resume: Mrs. Miller in Doubt (2008), Aibileen Clark in The Help (2011), Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder (2014-20), Amanda Waller in the DCEU (2016-), Michelle Obama in The First Lady (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Stromboli’

The Woman King Cast: Thuso Mbedu as Nawi

Character Profile: An Agojie warrior. She initially rejects an arranged marriage. Nawi discovers that she is actually General Nanisca’s daughter.

Mbedu’s Resume: Nosisa in Isibaya (2014), Kitso in Scandal! (2015), Winnie in Is’Thunzi (2016-17), Ipeleng in Shuga (2017-19), Cora in The Underground Railroad (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Infiesto’

The Woman King Cast: Lashana Lynch as Izogie

Character Profile: An Agojie trainer. She is a survivor who sharpens knives with a whetstone. Izogie threatens to commit suicide after being injured in battle.

Lynch’s Resume: Ashanti in Brotherhood (2016), Rosaline Capulet in Still Star-Crossed (2017), Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel (2019), Shee in The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud (2020), Nomi in No Time to Die (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Arctic’

The Woman King Cast: Sheila Atim as Amenza

Character Profile: An Agojie warrior. She runs the palace of Ghezo. Amenza refuses to be labeled as a servant.

Atim’s Resume: Limehouse Nell in Harlots (2018), The Investigator in Bounty Hunters (2019), Nora Harper in The Understudy (2020), Mabel in The Underground Railroad (2021), Bobbi Buddhakan Berroa in Bruised (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘True Spirit’

The Woman King Cast: John Boyega as King Ghezo

Character Profile: The new king of Ghezo. He assembles an elite force of female soldiers (the Agojie). King Ghezo is tired of fearing the Oyo Empire.

Boyega’s Resume: Moses in Attack the Block (2011), Chris Tanner in 24: Live Another Day (2014), Finn in the Star Wars Movie Franchise (2015-), Jake Pentecost in Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018), Leroy Logan in Small Axe (2020)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘The Snow Girl’

The Woman King cast also includes:

• Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Santo Ferreira
• Jayme Lawson as Shante
• Adrienne Warren as Ode
• Masali Baduza as Fumbe
• Jordan Bolger as Malik
• Jordan Bolger as Oba Ade

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.