As Randall journeys to say goodbye to his biological father, Sterling delivers one of TV’s most soul-shattering performances. Every tear, pause, and breath in that hospital room felt lived-in—and had viewers sobbing right along with him.

Even in a small role, he brought depth and vulnerability. Playing a wildly unfiltered, sex-positive Black gay man, he injected comedy and sorrow into every scene—without ever playing a stereotype.

Sterling as prosecutor Christopher Darden was a slow burn of frustration, race politics, and bottled-up pain. His restrained performance made every glare and exhale feel explosive—and earned him his first Emmy.

Though his screen time was short, as N’Jobu—Killmonger’s father—Sterling’s presence set the emotional tone for the entire film. His layered portrayal of betrayal and regret added gravitas to a pivotal moment in the Marvel universe.

As a strict but loving father struggling to control a crumbling household, Sterling was magnetic. He gave us toxic masculinity with nuance, anger laced with fear, and love that often came out the wrong way.

As a disgraced megachurch pastor, Sterling gave us ego, desperation, charm, and deep internal conflict—all wrapped in a character who was both ridiculous and tragically real.

In this comedic but socially charged episode, he played a by-the-book suspect with a quiet, chilling intensity. Even in a comedy, Sterling reminded us how powerful subtle acting can be.

Even in this underrated performance, you could see the seeds of Sterling’s emotional mastery. As Roland, a psychiatrist and military spouse, he explored Black male vulnerability in a way rarely seen on cable at the time.