One of the most iconic Black detectives in pop culture history is Eddie Murphy’s hilarious character, Axel Foley, whom he reprised in the 2024 Netflix movie, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. To celebrate Axel’s latest return to 90210, let’s take a look at more of our favorite Black detectives from movies and TV shows, starting with the man of the hour.
Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop)
The original Beverly Hills Cop from 1984 and its sequels are some of the funniest Eddie Murphy movies ever, particularly because of Axel Foley’s sharp wit. Yet, he is also the type of detective you’d want on your side for his dedication to getting the job done, even if it means breaking a few rules.
Virgil Tibbs (In The Heat Of The Night)
In 1967, Sidney Poitier gave one of his most inspiring performances in the Best Picture Oscar winner, In the Heat of the Night, as Virgil Tibbs, a Philadelphia cop who faces racial prejudice when wrongfully accused of murder in a small Mississippi town. His expert investigation skills and resilience prove essential in solving the crime, earning the respect of Chief Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger).
John Luther (Luther)
The title character of the British crime drama, Luther, could be considered a modern Sherlock Holmes. With unusual investigative methods and alienating traits, Luther often finds himself in legal trouble. Idris Elba’s captivating, Golden Globe-winning performance brings this brilliant and complex Detective Chief Inspector to life.
John Shaft (Shaft)
Richard Roundtree’s most famous role is Shaft, a suave, streetwise New York detective. The 1971 classic Shaft and its sequels made him an icon of the Blaxploitation era, earning the character an enduring legacy.
Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett (Bad Boys)
Mike Lowery (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) from Bad Boys are a dynamic duo. Directed by Michael Bay, this 1995 buddy cop movie and its sequels are fun and memorable due to the detectives’ strong bond and complementary personalities.
Faith Mitchell (Will Trent)
GBI Special Agents Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) and Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) initially clash in the detective drama Will Trent. However, as they work together, they grow to respect each other. Faith, a single mother with a strong intuition, and Will, with his keen eye for evidence, make a formidable team.
Ricardo Tubbs (Miami Vice)
On Miami Vice, Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) and James “Sonny” Crockett (Don Johnson) form one of TV’s most dynamic duos. Tubbs, the more laid-back undercover detective, is someone audiences could easily identify with.
Alex Cross (Kiss The Girls)
Dr. Alex Cross, a forensic psychologist, gets into the minds of disturbing criminals. First portrayed by Morgan Freeman in Kiss the Girls (1997) and Along Came a Spider (2001), and later by Tyler Perry in Alex Cross (2012), this character brings a deep psychological edge to crime-solving.
William Somerset (Se7en)
In David Fincher’s Se7en, Morgan Freeman plays William Somerset, a veteran detective working with David Mills (Brad Pitt) on his last case. Despite the investigation’s toll, Somerset remains dedicated to fighting for justice, embodying a belief in the world’s worth.
Misty Knight (Luke Cage)
Misty Knight, portrayed by Simone Missick on Luke Cage, is a detective with a bionic arm after a bomb injury. Her bravery, intuition, and fighting skills make her a standout character in comic book adaptations.
Easy Rawlins (Devil In A Blue Dress)
Denzel Washington stars as Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins in the 1995 adaptation of Walter Mosley’s Devil in a Blue Dress. This World War II veteran becomes a private investigator, using his street smarts to solve cases in old-fashioned noir style.
Roger Murtaugh (Lethal Weapon)
Danny Glover’s Roger Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon is a memorable character who often declares he’s “getting too old for this shit.” Despite the chaos caused by his partner, Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), Murtaugh’s dedication to the job never wavers.
Neal Washington (Hill Street Blues)
Hill Street Blues features Neal Washington (Taurean Blacque), a veteran undercover officer known for his stern demeanor and respected track record. His character adds depth to one of the best cop dramas of its time.
Cleopatra Jones (Cleopatra Jones)
Tamara Dobson stars as the title character in Cleopatra Jones, a 1973 hit and its sequel, Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975). As an undercover government agent, Cleopatra Jones is a pioneering character in Blaxploitation cinema.
Ron Stallworth (BlacKkKlansman)
In the early 1970s, Ron Stallworth became the first Black cadet at the Colorado Springs police department and led an undercover operation against the Ku Klux Klan. His memoir inspired Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman, with John David Washington portraying Stallworth.
These are just a few of our favorite Black detectives in pop culture. Follow the clues and discover more of these outstanding characters!
