Adrienne Warren as Ode

Warriors of the female army. 

Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Santo Ferreira

Santo Ferreira is a Portuguese colonizer and son of a man who has high stakes in the European slave trade. 

Jordan Bolger as Malik

Jordan Bolger plays Malik (who has longer hair in the film), childhood friend of Santo Ferreira

Jimmy Odukoya as Oba

The leader of the Dahomey's rival 

Viola Davis as General Nanisca

Nanisca leads the Agojie, the all-female section of the King of Dahomey’s army and protection force. 

Thuso Mbedu as Nawi

Nawi’s father brings her to the palace after she refuses to marry an abusive man. She wants to train as an Agojie warrior,

Lashana Lynch as Izogie

Lashana Lynch portrays Izogie, one of Nanisca’s right-hand women.

Sheila Atim as Amenza

Amenza is Nanisca’s other close friend, warrior and confidant.

John Boyega as King Ghezo

King Ghezo has recently taken over the rule of Dahomey after the death of his brother, who had a very different style of leadership than Ghezo wants.