You know that feeling when you're watching a movie and an actor comes on screen who just... commands the air? No flashy pyrotechnics or over-the-top screaming. Just presence. That’s Will Catlett. If you haven't been paying attention to Will Catlett movies and tv shows over the last few years, honestly, you’re missing out on one of the most consistent "quiet giants" in the industry.
He doesn't just play characters. He inhabits them with this sort of grounded, soulful energy that makes you feel like you've known the guy for twenty years. From the gritty streets of Baltimore in Charm City Kings to the mind-bending depths of space in Constellation, Catlett has quietly built a filmography that most actors would kill for.
He’s the guy who makes everyone else in the scene better. It’s a rare gift.
The Breakthrough: From Web Series to "Love Is___"
Before he was rubbing shoulders with Kevin Hart or fighting space-time anomalies, Catlett was grinding in the digital space. He was a staple of the "New Black Hollywood" movement that bubbled up on YouTube and indie platforms.
Most people first really "saw" him in Love Is___.
Produced by Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, this show was basically a love letter to 90s Black Hollywood. Catlett played Yasir, a struggling writer-director. He brought a vulnerability to that role that you just don't see often enough in male leads. He wasn't some polished, perfect hero. He was a man trying to find his footing while falling in love.
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It was a vibe.
Around that same time, he landed a role that couldn't be more different: Lala in Black Lightning. If you’ve seen the show, you know Lala is... intense. Catlett took a character that could have been a standard "street thug" trope and turned him into a haunting, complex ghost-haunted kingpin. He made Lala terrifying but somehow tragic. That's the Catlett touch.
Shifting to the Big Screen: A Thousand and One and Beyond
If you want to see the peak of his craft, you have to watch A Thousand and One.
Released in 2023 and directed by A.V. Rockwell, this film is a gut-punch. Catlett plays Lucky. He’s the partner to Teyana Taylor’s Inez. The way he portrays Black fatherhood and partnership in this film—flaws and all—is masterclass level. It’s not about grand speeches. It’s about the way he sits at a table or the look in his eyes when he realizes life is shifting under his feet.
Critics raved about it, and for good reason. It’s the kind of performance that should have had "Oscar" written all over it if the world were fair.
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Then there’s his recent pivot into more "genre" territory:
- Abigail (2024): He plays Rickles, a former military man caught in a heist that turns into a vampire bloodbath. He brings a much-needed gravity to the chaos.
- Never Let Go (2024): Starring alongside Halle Berry, he continues that streak of grounded performances in high-tension environments.
- Charm City Kings (2020): As Detective Rivers, he served as the moral compass of the film. He played a cop with a heart, trying to steer a young kid (Mouse) away from the lifestyle that swallowed so many others.
Why Constellation and True Story Proved His Range
Range is a word people toss around a lot, but Catlett actually has it.
In the Netflix miniseries True Story, he played Herschel, the bodyguard to Kevin Hart’s Kid. He was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for this, and honestly, he was the secret weapon of that show. He had to be the "tough guy," but he did it with so much nuance that you were constantly trying to figure out what he was thinking.
Then came Constellation on Apple TV+.
Playing an astronaut (Paul Lancaster) is a different beast entirely. You’re dealing with technical jargon, green screens, and a plot that involves "liminal space" and quantum physics. Catlett made the sci-fi feel human. Even when the plot got weird—and it got very weird—you stayed anchored because his performance felt real.
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Looking Ahead: Crystal Lake and 2026
So, what’s next? If you’re tracking Will Catlett movies and tv shows into 2026, the big one on the horizon is Crystal Lake.
This is the Friday the 13th prequel series for Peacock. Catlett is set to play a character named Levon Brooks. Given his history of bringing depth to "scary" or "tense" stories, this is a perfect fit. He’s joined by Linda Cardellini, and the buzz around this project is massive. It’s taking the slasher genre and giving it the "prestige TV" treatment.
He’s also popping up in Forever, a project that looks to continue his streak of character-driven drama.
Why You Should Care
Will Catlett is a reminder that you don't need to be the loudest person in the room to be the most impactful. He’s built a career on "depositing" something into the audience—a phrase he often uses in interviews. He isn't just looking for a paycheck; he's looking for a legacy.
If you're looking for a starting point to explore his work, here is the "essential" list:
- A Thousand and One (For the raw acting power)
- Love Is___ (For the romantic lead energy)
- Black Lightning (To see him play a truly unique villain)
- Charm City Kings (For a powerful supporting turn)
- Constellation (If you like high-concept sci-fi)
The next step for any fan of prestige acting is to move beyond the blockbuster names and start following actors like Catlett. Go back and watch his early work in web series like That Guy or First to see the foundation of his style. Keeping an eye on his upcoming 2026 projects like Crystal Lake is the best way to stay ahead of the curve before he inevitably becomes a household name.