Nicco Annan didn’t just appear out of thin air when P-Valley premiered in 2020. Honestly, if you think he’s a newcomer, you’ve missed a whole decade of grind. He’s the kind of actor who makes a role so iconic—so lived-in—that it almost becomes a barrier. People see the seven-inch heels and the "Corona Couture" of Uncle Clifford and forget there is a classically trained powerhouse underneath it all.
Before the neon lights of The Pynk, Annan was already a veteran of the stage and a secret weapon in Hollywood choreography. He’s a Detroit native, a Purchase College grad, and a man who spent years perfecting a single character before a single camera ever rolled. This isn't just about a hit show; it's about a career built on movement, theater, and a refusal to be put in a box.
The Nicco Annan Movies and TV Shows You Might Have Missed
Most of us know him as the non-binary matriarch of Chucalissa, but Annan’s filmography is a bit of a scavenger hunt through some of the best prestige TV of the last decade. He moved to Los Angeles in 2014, and he didn’t waste time.
If you look closely at the credits of Snowfall, Shameless, or This Is Us, you’ll see him. These weren't always lead roles, but they were the building blocks. In Shameless, he brought that same grit he's known for now. In This Is Us, he wasn't just acting; he actually worked as a choreographer, helping craft the physical language of the show.
Basically, he’s been the industry's best-kept secret for years.
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Breaking Down the Early TV Credits
It’s easy to gloss over guest spots, but for Annan, these were masterclasses in range.
- Claws: A show that matches his energy perfectly—high drama, high fashion, and a lot of heart.
- Snowfall: A sharp turn into the dark, gritty world of 1980s Los Angeles.
- Family Reunion: Showing he can do the sitcom thing on Netflix without losing his edge.
- Cheetah in August: An earlier project where he explored complex Black queer identity long before it was "mainstream."
The Decade-Long Evolution of Uncle Clifford
You can’t talk about Nicco Annan movies and tv shows without getting into the weeds of P-Valley. But here’s the thing: he didn't just get cast in a TV show. He originated the role of Uncle Clifford in Katori Hall’s play, Pussy Valley, back in 2015 at the Mixed Blood Theatre.
He played that role for years on stage. He built the backstory. He decided how she walked, how she spoke, and why she cared so much about those girls. When Starz ordered the TV adaptation, he actually had to audition again. Can you imagine? Having to prove you’re the best person to play a character you created from the ground up?
He won the 2023 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for a reason. He brings a level of dignity to Uncle Clifford that stops the character from ever becoming a caricature. It’s a performance rooted in the Black Southern experience, even if Nicco himself is a Northerner with Ghanaian roots.
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More Than an Actor: The Choreography King
If you watch All American, you’ve seen Nicco’s work, even if you didn't see his face. He’s the choreographer behind some of the show's most pivotal movement sequences. He’s got this partnership with Rhapsody James through a program called Motivating Excellence. They’ve been teaching dancers how to bridge the gap between "just doing steps" and actual performance for years.
His background in dance is why his acting is so physical. Whether he’s in a movie or a TV show, he uses his whole body. Even the way Uncle Clifford sits in a chair is a choreographed choice. It’s that training from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Purchase College coming through. He’s a BFA holder who treats a guest spot on Smosh with the same technical respect as an Off-Broadway play.
The Documentary Turn: Down in the Valley
In 2024, Annan stepped into a new role: Host and Executive Producer. Down in the Valley on Starz is a docu-series that acts as a real-world companion to the fictional Chucalissa. It’s a "tantalizing tour" of the Deep South, but it’s more than just travel. It’s about the people, the culture, and the "pynk" spaces that exist in real life.
It shows a different side of Nicco—the curious, empathetic journalist-adjacent storyteller. It’s a smart move for his career, proving he can carry a show as himself, not just under the layers of a character.
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Why His Theater Work Still Matters
Annan is a theater kid at heart. He starred in The Hot Wing King, which won a Pulitzer Prize for Katori Hall. That play is a masterpiece of Black queer domestic life. He plays Cordell, a man trying to win a chicken wing contest while navigating family drama.
It’s the polar opposite of Uncle Clifford in many ways. It’s grounded, masculine-leaning, and deeply vulnerable. If you only know him from TV, you’re missing the sheer breadth of what he can do on a stage. He’s also done Smokey Joe’s Café and Five Guys Named Moe. The man has pipes and he has rhythm.
What’s Next for Nicco Annan?
We’re all waiting on P-Valley Season 3. It’s been a long wait, but if the past is any indication, it’ll be worth it. But looking beyond the Delta, Annan is clearly angling for more producing roles. He’s mentioned in interviews that he wants to see more stories that reflect the "common humanity" of people who are usually pushed to the margins.
There are rumors and "in-development" whispers about him moving into more feature film work. Honestly, it’s about time. He’s got the leading-man energy that can pivot from comedy to soul-crushing drama in a heartbeat.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the "Invisible" Roles: Go back and find his episodes of Snowfall and Shameless. It changes how you see his talent.
- Follow the Choreography: Look up his work with Motivating Excellence. If you’re a dancer or an actor, his philosophy on "commercial dance meets classical theater" is a game-changer.
- Support the Stage: If he ever returns to Off-Broadway or a regional tour, buy the ticket. Nicco on screen is great, but Nicco in a room is an experience.
- Check out Down in the Valley: It’s the best way to see the man behind the makeup and understand the culture that birthed his most famous character.
Nicco Annan is a rare breed in Hollywood. He’s an "overnight success" that was twenty years in the making. Whether he’s acting, dancing, or producing, he’s doing it with a level of intentionality that most actors just don't have. He isn't just playing roles; he's shifting the culture.