If you’ve spent any time watching Superman & Lois over the last few years, you’ve seen the heavy lifting Wolé Parks does as John Henry Irons. He isn't just a guy in a suit of armor; he’s the emotional anchor of a show that often focuses on literal gods. But if you think he just showed up out of nowhere to play Steel, you’re missing about twenty years of groundwork.
He’s one of those "that guy" actors. You know the type. You’re watching an old episode of Law & Order or a random drama, and you realize, "Wait, is that the guy from the Arrowverse?"
The list of Wolé Parks movies and TV shows is surprisingly long and deeply varied. It stretches from the gritty streets of the Bronx—where he grew up—to the soapy drama of daytime television and eventually to the high-stakes world of Taylor Sheridan’s Montana. He’s a guy who graduated from NYU with degrees in Fine Arts and Mathematics. Yeah, math. It explains that precision he brings to his roles.
The Early Days: Soaps and Procedurals
Most people don’t realize Parks got his big break on As the World Turns. He took over the role of Dallas Griffin in 2007. It’s the ultimate acting bootcamp. You’re memorizing dozens of pages of dialogue a day, filming at a breakneck pace, and dealing with the most dramatic storylines imaginable.
Honestly, if you can survive the world of daytime soaps, you can survive anything Hollywood throws at you.
Before the soaps, he was cutting his teeth on the classics. He appeared in Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. In the early 2000s, appearing in a Dick Wolf production was basically a rite of passage for every New York actor. He even had a stint on MTV’s anthology series Undressed during its sixth season. It was a weird, experimental time for TV, and Parks was right in the middle of it.
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Breaking Into Film
His film resume might be smaller than his TV credits, but it’s punchy.
- Premium Rush (2012): This is probably his most recognizable film role. He played Manny, a bike messenger who rivals Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character. It’s a high-octane thriller that required a ton of physical energy.
- Taking Chance (2009): A much more somber project. He played Major Schott in this HBO film starring Kevin Bacon. It’s a deeply moving story about the military, and it showed early on that Parks could handle heavy, prestige drama.
- Ghost Town (2008): He had a smaller role here, working alongside Ricky Gervais.
The CW Era: From Vampires to Superheroes
If you really want to track the evolution of Wolé Parks movies and TV shows, you have to look at his relationship with The CW. Before he was a hero, he was literally the Devil. Or, well, the show’s version of him.
In the eighth and final season of The Vampire Diaries, Parks played Arcadius, also known as "Cade." He was the creator of Hell. It’s a far cry from the noble John Henry Irons. As Cade, he was cold, calculating, and genuinely imposing. It’s a testament to his range that he can play the physical embodiment of evil one year and a devoted father and hero a few years later.
The Impact of Superman & Lois
Then came Superman & Lois in 2021. This changed everything.
When he first appeared, he was "The Stranger." Fans spent weeks theorizing who he could be. Was he a version of Lex Luthor? A new villain? When it was revealed he was actually John Henry Irons—a man from a world where Superman went rogue—it gave the show its most compelling dynamic.
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Parks brings a weary, blue-collar dignity to the role. He isn't trying to be a god; he’s just a man who wants to protect his daughter and his new home. In the final season (which wrapped up in late 2024), Parks got to bring that arc full circle. The chemistry he built with Wolé Parks' onscreen daughter, Tayler Buck, and his complicated relationship with the Kent family, became the heartbeat of the series.
Beyond the Cape: Yellowstone and All American
Parks doesn’t just stick to one genre. He’s popped up in some of the biggest hits on television in the last decade.
In Yellowstone, he played Torry, a recurring role in the second season. Working in the Taylor Sheridan universe is a specific vibe—it’s rugged, intense, and requires a certain "western" gravitas. Parks fit right in.
He also made a mark on All American as Micah Richards. Again, he shows that ability to bridge the gap between "adult" drama and the high-energy world of young adult programming.
- The Lincoln Lawyer (2024): More recently, he joined the cast of the hit Netflix series as David Henry Lyons.
- Landman (2026): Keeping the momentum going, he’s slated to appear as Detective Miller in this latest Taylor Sheridan project. It seems he’s a favorite for those high-intensity, character-driven dramas.
Why He Matters Right Now
There’s a lot of talk about "star power" versus "character acting." Wolé Parks is a bit of both. He has the leading-man looks and the presence to carry a scene, but he has the soul of a character actor. He disappears into the work.
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He’s also an active voice outside of Hollywood. He’s been involved with groups like Democracy for NYC and hasn't shied away from political debate. That intelligence—the same one that got him through a math degree at NYU—is always visible in his performances. He isn't just reading lines; he’s calculating the subtext.
What to Watch First
If you’re new to his work, don't start with the bit parts.
Go straight to Superman & Lois. It’s his most complete performance. You get the action, sure, but you also get the quiet, heartbreaking moments of a man grieving an entire world. After that, check out Devious Maids, where he played Sam Alexander. It shows a completely different, more comedic and charming side of him.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Stream Superman & Lois on Max: The final season is a masterclass in how to end a character arc.
- Watch Premium Rush for the stunts: It’s a great example of his physical acting before the big CGI suits.
- Keep an eye on Landman: This is likely to be his next major breakout role as we head further into 2026.
Parks has proven that he isn't limited by a genre or a specific type of character. Whether he's playing a detective, a construction worker on Superstore, or a man in a nuclear-powered suit of armor, he brings a level of authenticity that's rare in the current TV landscape. He's a veteran who is finally getting the flowers he deserves.