Movies

Carl Clemons-Hopkins’ 10 Best Movies & TV Shows Ranked

BBG News

Originally a stage actor from Georgia, Carl Clemons-Hopkins has swiftly demonstrated his skill and potential for growth in movies and television since transitioning to the screen. His acting journey began on Broadway, gracing productions like “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Time Is On Our Side,” “Richard III,” and perhaps most memorably, he starred as Aaron Burr and George Washington in the new Chicago company of “Hamilton.” During this period, he also took on a few minor television roles.

2018 marked the significant start of Clemons-Hopkins’ screen career, during which they appeared in “Canal Street,” “Chicago P.D.,” and “The Chi.” Subsequent years brought more supporting roles in TV shows and films, but it was their 2021 casting in “Hacks” that catapulted them to greater stardom. Since then, they’ve been landing increasingly prominent roles across various production platforms. Clemons-Hopkins identifies as queer and non-binary, and requests respectful use of any pronouns (as shared on Instagram). Their filmography boasts an impressive collection of roles to date.

10. Canal Street (2018)

Bobby

In his debut significant film, “Canal Street,” Carl Clemons-Hopkins plays a minor role, portraying a character called Bobby. This gripping drama-thriller revolves around Kholi Styles (Bryshere Y. Gray), a young African American teenager living in Winnetka, Illinois, who is wrongfully accused of a murder he didn’t commit. His father, Jackie (Mykelti Williamson), is a passionate lawyer trying to prove his son’s innocence through court proceedings. The victim of the crime was a white classmate of Kholi, causing racial tensions in an already uneasy community to escalate further.

In the movie, he only has a small role, but “Canal Street” marked the beginning of Clemons-Hopkins’ acting career with a named character in Hollywood. Despite its limited screen time, the film was impactful, delivering a powerful message without being overly didactic. It offers an intriguing glimpse into Clemons-Hopkins’ more dramatic acting style.

9. The Chi (2018-Present)

Jean (3 Episodes, 2018)

The TV show titled “The Chi” is a drama series that debuted on Showtime in 2018, and it’s set in a neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. The cast of the show has gone through many changes over time, with only a few original main characters remaining. Carl Clemons-Hopkins made an appearance in three episodes of season 1 as Jean, a character who doesn’t play a significant role in the series.

In “The Chi,” the blend of intense dramatic and humorous elements resonated perfectly with Clemons-Hopkins, and this versatility has been a recurring theme in many roles he’s taken since then. He excels at finding the humor hidden within serious situations, and drawing out the emotional depth from seemingly comedic scenarios. Although his role on “The Chi” wasn’t significant, it served as a launching pad for the distinctive style that has defined his career.

8. Candyman (2021)

Jameson

2021’s movie titled “Candyman” serves as a sequel to the 1992 original film, disregarding the events of “Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh” and “Candyman: Day of the Dead,” although it doesn’t entirely eliminate those films from the franchise’s history. In this new “Candyman,” which is set in 2019, the character Anthony McCoy, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, is an artist who becomes captivated by the urban legend of Candyman, despite his peers and colleagues mysteriously meeting gruesome ends.

In the movie “Candyman,” Carl Clemons-Hopkins portrays Jameson, a lesser character. Despite being a well-known horror series that has yet to receive its full recognition, “Candyman” stands out due to its thought-provoking themes on racial violence and prejudice, placing it above typical horror films. Being involved in the project at any level is a significant achievement for Clemons-Hopkins.

7. Chicago P.D. (2014-Present)

DEA Agent Thomas (1 Episode, 2018)

Prior to his role in “Chicago Med,” Carl Clemons-Hopkins made an appearance in another “One Chicago” TV series, specifically in “Chicago P.D.” In the fifth season’s tenth episode, titled “Rabbit Hole,” he portrayed DEA Agent Thomas. In this episode, the Chicago Police Department discovers a mole within their ranks and interacts with undercover DEA agents working on the same case. The episode is packed with unexpected events, and Clemons-Hopkins convincingly played his part as an undercover agent.

Clemons-Hopkins has the ability to portray both strong, authoritative characters and those who are more laid-back and anxious. While Agent Thomas doesn’t appear frequently on Chicago P.D., his role suggests a potential career trajectory for Clemons-Hopkins had he chosen a different acting route.

6. The Beanie Bubble (2023)

Jeremy

In the 1990s, the collectible Beanie Babies were just a fleeting trend. Later, in the early 2020s, movies about these stuffed toys, such as the HBO documentary “Beanie Mania” and the Apple TV+ film “The Beanie Bubble,” which premiered within two years of each other, also gained temporary popularity. It seems that Beanie Babies were never meant to be anything more than a specialized hobby. Similar films, including “Unfrosted,” “Blackberry,” and “Flamin’ Hot,” have been made about recently trending brands.

The movie, loosely based on real events, features Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Jeremy, a supporting character. Boasting a talented ensemble including Zach Galifianakis, Elizabeth Banks, Sarah Snook, and Geraldine Viswanathan, The Beanie Bubble thrives on the acting skills of its performers. Essentially, it’s a typical corporate biopic, but with exceptional performances keeping it alive.

5. Range Runners (2019)

Howard

In the cinematic realm, “Range Runners” deviates from typical Carl Clemons-Hopkins’ productions as it is an action-packed thriller. The story unfolds around Mel (portrayed by Celeste Cooper), a gifted runner, who is honing her skills on a secluded forest trail. Unfortunately, a pair of fugitives snatch her belongings and abandon her in the wilderness. With few options available, Mel pursues these men to retrieve her possessions and to prove something to herself in the process. Clemons-Hopkins assumes the role of Howard, Mel’s father, in this captivating tale.

Mel’s struggle against those who have wronged her can be seen as a reaction to the harsh and unforgiving treatment she endured from her father, who valued her only for her ability to push herself beyond limits. This character portrayal by Clemons-Hopkins is more intense than any role he has played before or plans to play in the future, and his fierce demeanor is truly terrifying.

4. The Mattachine Family (2023)

Todd

The Mattachine Family” – a comedy-drama that features an ensemble cast of actors from the LGBTQ+ community. Directed by Andy Vallentine, this captivating production revolves around a homosexual couple, Thomas (played by Nico Tortorella) and Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace), who have been caring for a six-year-old child for a year while his mother was incarcerated. When she is released, the couple must navigate their future together. The story also highlights other non-heterosexual relationships, such as that between Thomas and Oscar’s friend Annie (Heather Matarazzo) and her gay companion, Todd (Carl Clemons-Hopkins).

Annie and Todd, like many others, are jointly nurturing a child, and while their tale may not be as emotionally wrenching, it aptly illustrates the challenges of maintaining a non-traditional family in America without much assistance. The narrative of adoption and LGBTQ+ families is at the core of “The Mattachine Family,” yet Clemons-Hopkins, despite limited screen time, skillfully portrays an unusual form of caretaker love that isn’t strictly romantic.

3. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-2024)

Narj (1 Episode, 2023)

Star Trek: Lower Decks is a five-season animated series set within the Star Trek universe, produced by Mike McMahan for Paramount+. It’s the ninth Star Trek series and the first not centered on the senior officers aboard a Starfleet ship. Instead, as the name implies, Lower Decks focuses on the crew members performing less glamorous tasks on the USS Cerritos. The character Narj, voiced by Carl Clemons-Hopkins, appears in season 4, episode 2 titled “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee”.

In this tale, Clemons-Hopkins portrays Narj, the proprietor of an eclectic menagerie teeming with various species, even humans. Despite viewing himself as a benevolent caretaker, he’s actually a tyrannical and heartless owner. His demise was orchestrated by his captives, who unleashed the bone-consuming “moopsy” upon him to break free. Clemons-Hopkins delivers the aristocratic dialogue fitting for such a character fixated on classifying creatures. Narj is an amusing and unsettling character that stands out among the series’ one-time characters.

2. Chicago Med (2015-Present)

Sean Richter (4 Episodes, 2020)

As a passionate film enthusiast, I had the privilege of being part of four captivating episodes on the hit series “Chicago Med,” which belongs to the “One Chicago” franchise. In season 5, you’ll find me portraying the character Sean Richter across episodes 11 through 14. In these episodes, my character operates an unconventional safe injection site, a place designed for individuals battling substance-abuse disorders to access sterilized equipment and receive supervision from trained staff while using drugs. Despite its seemingly paradoxical nature, some research suggests that this practice can be life-saving, as reported by NPR.

In the story, it’s Sean who gains both respect and assistance from Dr. Will Halstead (portrayed by Nick Gehlfuss). This medical professional takes a risk with his job to collaborate at the site. While Dr. Halstead grapples with the moral implications of working at a safe injection facility, Sean is unfazed. His duty lies in ensuring people’s wellbeing, and he has witnessed the positive impact these sites can have firsthand. Clemons-Hopkins delivers an effective portrayal of this character, articulating the significance of his work with conviction.

1. Hacks (2021-Present)

Marcus (30 Episodes, 2021-2025)

The hit show “Hacks,” which propelled Carl Clemons-Hopkins to fame, is an original series on HBO that delves into the dynamic between Deborah Vance (played by Jean Smart), a veteran but aging stand-up comedian, and Ava Daniels (portrayed by Hannah Einbinder), a gifted yet self-absorbed comedy writer. As they navigate their partnership, Deborah starts to push boundaries in her act, while Ava grapples with a tumultuous personal life. Clemons-Hopkins takes on the role of Marcus, a high-ranking executive at Deborah’s management company and a trusted confidant.

In the series, Marcus exhibits a unique journey all his own. After dedicating his entire life to Deborah, he decides to live for himself during season 2, which, being an outgoing bachelor, proves to be quite an enjoyable adventure. However, in season 3, he strikes a delicate equilibrium between self-care and caring for others. Carl Clemons-Hopkins portrays Marcus’ complex character flawlessly, earning him an Emmy nomination in 2021.

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2025-04-25 19:49

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