Dominique Thorne: 5 Things To Know About The ‘Black Panther 2’ Scene-Stealer Playing Ironheart

Dominique Thorne is Hollywood’s next big thing. The 25-year-old actress makes one heck of an impression in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Marvel has big plans for Dominique, so get ready to see a lot more of her.

So, who is Dominique Thorne? You’re certainly going to remember her after watching Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. HollywoodLife has rounded up everything you need to know about this rising star.

1. Dominique makes her MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Dominique plays Riri Williams, a.k.a. Ironheart, in the film. Riri is a gifted student who finds herself at the center of attention for one of her inventions. This tech wiz crosses paths with Shuri at MIT.

“We thought Riri Williams was the perfect character to sort of slot into Black Panther: Wakanda Forever because she could do a lot of things at the same time,” producer Nate Moore told Marvel. “We liked the idea of Shuri seeing herself reflected in a contemporary in a surprising way. She’s funny. She’s current. She’s innovative. In some ways, she doesn’t realize how smart she really is.”

Dominique previously read for the role of Shuri, which went to Letitia Wright. When it came time to cast Riri/Ironheart, Dominique didn’t even have to audition. “I was at home in Delaware and I got a call asking if I would like to play this role,” she Empire. “I was so shocked, in fact, that there was a considerable lag in the conversation.” She added, “It was probably the most unique experience I’ve ever had because there was no audition at all.”

2. Dominique is getting her own Marvel show.

Dominique will reprise her role as Riri Williams/Ironheart in the upcoming Disney+ series Ironheart. The show was announced in December 2020 with Dominique’s casting. Ironheart is expected to debut in 2023 and will be a part of Phase Five of the MCU. The show also stars Lyric Ross, Anthony Ramos, Alden Ehrenreich, Manny Montana, and more.

3. Dominique went to Cornell.

Dominique attended Cornell University. She graduated in 2019 with a degree in Human Development and a minor in Inequality Studios. “While theater and acting have been a huge part of my life, I wanted to see what I was capable of academically,” Dominique told Cornell Research about her decision to attend college.

4. Dominique made her onscreen debut in 2018.

Her first onscreen role was in the Oscar-winning film If Beale Street Could Talk. She played Shelia Hunt in the film. Dominique starred in the film Judas and the Black Messiah alongside Black Panther alum Daniel Kaluuya.

5. Dominique grew up in New York.

She is a Brooklyn, New York, native. The actress attended the Professional Performing Arts High School in Manhattan (PPAS) and received formal training in dramatic theater. Dominique and her family now live in Delaware.