With season 2 of Everybody Hates Chris.
Shifting into adulthood, the actor has gone on to act in everything from animated superhero shows to more edgy HBO comedies. Looking at his filmography, these are Williams's best projects according to reviews on IMDb.
Let It Shine (2012) - 6.3
A modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, Let It Shine follows Williams as Cyrus DeBarge, a shy choir director who moonlights as a rap lyricist. Due to a misunderstanding, Cyrus stands on the sidelines as his friend Kris takes credit for Cyrus's popular song and as a result gets closer to their shared crush, the singer Roxie.
The upbeat musical became the most watched Disney Channel Original movie for the network, and co-starred the likes of Coco Jones (Bel-Air), Trevor Jackson (Grown-ish), and Courtney B. Vance as Cyrus's pastor father who believes rap should be banned from the community.
The United States Vs. Billie Holiday (2021) - 6.3
From director Lee Daniels (The Butler), The United States Vs. Billie Holiday tells the story of the titular jazz singer as she's targeted for a narcotic sting operation by the FBI, specifically Jimmy Fletcher (Trevante Rhodes), a federal agent with whom she has a complicated affair.
Williams plays Lester Young, Holiday's sax player who, while many try to persuade her not to, s Holiday's effort to include "Strange Fruit" on her setlist. Harangued for its unfocused direction and historical inaccuracies, critics agreed that Andra Day's performance as Holiday rose above the faults of the film, earning her an Academy Award nomination for work.
Whiskey Cavalier (2019) - 7.1
Set in the world of international espionage, Whiskey Cavalier follows a t FBI-CIA team put together after its uncover a larger conspiracy during separate missions gone wrong. Williams plays Edgar Standish, an analyst initially wanted for hacking the NSA who becomes a ing team member.
The action comedy, which would go on to explore the characters' romances, friendships, and office dynamics, was well-received thanks to the chemistry of the main cast. However, the show was canceled after one season in part due to a decline in viewership over the course of the season.
Batman: The Brave And The Bold (2010) - 7.3
Aired on Cartoon Network, Batman: The Brave And The Bold is based on a similar DC Comics series where Batman teams up with one or more heroes in each episode to take down a villain. Appearing in multiple episodes, Williams played Jason Rusch aka Firestorm, a 17-year-old genius who got his powers while stuck in a meltdown at a nuclear test facility.
Targeted towards younger viewers, the series gave up the character's edge for a more lighthearted, whimsical tone. The show ran for three seasons and featured several DC favorites, including the Joker, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Mr. Freeze.
Detroit (2017) - 7.3
Based on the 12th Street Riot and Algiers Motel Incident, Detroit details the events that led to the death of three innocent Black teenagers. Williams appears in a small but vital role as Leon, a "looter" who's exiting a store, groceries in hand, when the police roll by and chase him down on foot, shooting him twice.
The Kathryn Bigelow film was both praised and criticized for its accurately haunting depiction that prioritized presenting just the cold hard facts rather than a lived-in experience. Alongside Williams, the rest of the ensemble includes Will Poulter (We're The Millers), Algee Smith (Euphoria), and John Boyega in one of his best roles.
Go On (2012 - 2013) - 7.5
Go On stars Matthew Perry as Ryan King, a sports radio commentator who s a group following the death of his wife. Williams plays Owen Lewis, another member of the group whose brother fell into a coma following a skiing accident and develops a strong bond with King.
Well received by critics and audiences alike thanks to a strong performance from Perry and the ensemble, many found the show's premise similar to fellow NBC sitcom Community. Despite its strengths, Go On was canceled after one season.
Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009) - 7.5
Narrated by Chris Rock, Everybody Hates Chris follows the comedian's recollections of growing up in 1980s Brooklyn. Williams plays young Chris, a skinny nerd who balances growing up in a rough neighborhood while attending a mostly white high school.
Lauded for its authentic, down-to-earth tone, the sitcom was successful thanks to the grounded yet comical performance of Williams and its approach to sometimes challenging subjects in a humorous way. The rest of the ensemble includes Tichina Arnold as Chris's mother, Vincent Martella as Chris's best friend Greg, and Terry Crews as Chris's father.
Ballers (2015) - 7.6
Ballers focuses on Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne Johnson), a former NFL player who's found a second career as a financial manager for athletes still playing. Williams appears in the first season in a small but memorable role as a Dolphins waterboy who interacts with the team's new wide receiver Ricky Jarret (John David Washington).
Praised for its charming take on the sports business world and Johnson's performance, the show ran for four seasons on HBO. Among its ing cast, memorable performances came from the likes of Rob Corddry (Childrens Hospital), Dulé Hill (Psych), and Richard Schiff (The West Wing).
The Walking Dead (2014 - 2015) - 8.1
Occurring in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, The Walking Dead revolves around Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), a former sheriff who comes out of a coma at the onset of the events and reunites with his wife and son to lead a group forward through the aftermath.
Williams appears in the fifth season as Noah, a hospital patient who befriends Beth while they are stuck with the hospital group. One of the best zombie TV shows, The Walking Dead has been a rating juggernaut and will come to its conclusion later this year.
Abbott Elementary (2021 - ) - 8.2
Against the backdrop of a predominantly Black school in Philadelphia, Abbott Elementary tracks a group of teachers and faculty led by Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson), an optimistic teacher who pushes for the best for her students against their limited budget.
Williams plays Gregory Eddie, a reluctant substitute teacher who slowly warms to the idea of working directly with the kids rather than just as an . The first season received universally positive reviews, receiving two Emmys for Brunson's writing and for ing actress Sheryl Lee Ralph.