Ebony Obsidian

Ebony Obsidian is an American actress. She had a supporting role in the 2018 drama film If Beale Street Could Talk and the following year began starring as Karen Mott in the BET comedy-drama series, Sistas. In 2024, Obsidian played Lena Derriecott Bell King in the war drama film, The Six Triple Eight, earning her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture as well as Outstanding Breakthrough Performance.

Early life Obsidian was born and raised in New Paltz, New York. She is of West Indian and Eritrean descent. She began performing in her childhood but never really saw it as a career. While studying, she began acting; she appeared in independent films, including The Vixens and Where Hearts Lie opposite Malik Yoba and Clifton Powell, as well as an uncredited appearance in the superhero film, The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Career In 2015, Obsidian starred in Tough Love, a web series that aired on YouTube. The series started as a micro budget project that eventually attracted more than 45,000 unique viewers with over 1 million channel views. In 2017 she made a guest-starring appearance in an episode of the Netflix comedy-drama series, Master of None. In 2018, Obsidian co-starred in the drama film If Beale Street Could Talk, playing Adrienne Hunt, one of two sisters of the lead character Alonzo "Fonny" Hunt.

In 2019, Obsidian was cast in the Hulu biographical drama series, Wu-Tang: An American Saga playing Nia. The series ended in 2023 after three seasons. Later in 2019, she began starring as Karen Mott, one of the lead characters, in the BET comedy-drama series, Sistas by Tyler Perry. In 2020, she had a recurring role as Carol Hawthorne in the Amazon drama series Hunters during the show's first season.

In 2023, Obsidian was cast opposite Kerry Washington, Susan Sarandon and Oprah Winfrey in the war drama film, The Six Triple Eight. The Six Triple Eight was released in some cinemas on December 6, 2024, before its streaming debut by Netflix on December 20, 2024. She played Lena Derriecott King, a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve overseas during World War II; Derricott was one of the Battalion's last five surviving members. Obsidian received positive reviews from critics for her performance. Ian Thomas wrote in a review for Black History Month: "Ebony Obsidian shines as Lena Derriecott King, a battalion member whose personal journey reflects the broader struggles and triumphs of the unit." At the 56th NAACP Image Awards, Obsidian won awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture for playing Lena Derriecott King.

Obsidian is an Ambassador of the International Rescue Committee organization. In 2023, she visited South Sudan, where she witnessed the country’s mounting humanitarian needs and the effects of the climate crisis.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Graduate Uncredited 2015 Punkin Pie Katrina Richardson ShortIndieFEST Film Award of Merit Special Mention 2015The Vixens Etta Onwago 2016 Where Hearts Lie Sheila Twelve Dollar Words Treasure Short 2017 Capital Inferno Jamie Short My Brothers Keeper Lady Macbeth 2018 If Beale Street Could Talk Adrienne HuntNominated — Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best EnsembleNominated — Georgia Film Critics Association Award for Best EnsembleNominated — Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble CastNominated — Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble 2019 Swipe - ShortIndependent Horror Movie Award for Best Actress Such A Deal Grace Short About The People The Janitor Short 2024 The Six Triple Eight Lena Derriecott King Won — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion PictureWon — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion PictureWon — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

Television Year Title Role Notes 2015–18 Tough Love Alicia Davis Series regular, 18 episodes 2016 I Am Homicide Juanita Episode: "Serial Shooter" 2017 Master of None Michelle Episode: "Thanksgiving" 2019–23 Wu-Tang: An American Saga Nia Recurring role, 12 episodes 2019–25 Sistas Karen Mott Series regular 2020 Hunters Carol Lockhart Recurring role, 6 episodes