Last updated on: November 15, 2025
Corey Hawkins has built an impressive career across film, TV, and even podcasts—bringing depth, intensity, and heart to every role he takes on. From adrenaline-fueled thrillers like 24: Legacy to emotional journeys in The Walking Dead and the mind-bending mystery of Poker Face (2025), Hawkins’ performances always leave a mark. He’s not afraid to experiment either—whether it’s the survival drama Survive, the futuristic vision of Futurestates, or lending his voice to gripping audio stories like Radio Play Revival and Dust. Each project showcases a different side of his talent, proving why Corey Hawkins is one of today’s most versatile and captivating performers.
1. 24: Legacy (2017)
Imdb Rating: 6.8/10
If you’re into fast-paced action, heart-pounding suspense, and races against the clock, 24: Legacy might just be your next favorite show. Corey Hawkins stars as Eric Carter—a soldier who’s seen real battle and comes home only to find a new kind of war waiting for him. Back from overseas, his world flips upside down when his old team gets hunted by terrorists. Now, he’s got to move fast to stop a major threat right here on U.S. soil.
What really pulls you in is Hawkins himself. He doesn’t just play Eric Carter—he lives him. You feel every fear, every decision, every moment of doubt. It’s hard not to stand beside him as he fights to do what’s right. Critics noticed too. They said he carries the show with strength and soul, making him a true fit for the 24 legacy. And longtime fans? They welcomed this new chapter with open arms—it’s got that same urgent, can’t-look-away tension we loved before, just with a fresh face and today’s stakes.
Here’s a little behind-the-scenes truth: Hawkins didn’t just read lines. He trained in real military tactics and studied soldiers’ routines so his performance would ring true. You can tell.
Want to watch it? 24: Legacy is on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Throw on some comfy clothes, grab your favorite snack, and get ready—this one doesn’t let up.
2. The Walking Dead (2016–2017)
Imdb Rating: 8.1/10
Corey Hawkins stepped into the dust and dread of The Walking Dead—a show that grips your chest and stirs your spirit. He played Heath, a man with sharp eyes and a steady hand, who found shelter in Alexandria Safe-Zone. Even when the dead crowded the roads and fear hung thick in the air, Heath stayed grounded—loyal, brave, and clear-headed.
But don’t let the walkers fool you. This story isn’t just about monsters—it’s about hearts breaking, hard choices, and holding on when the world crumbles. Corey gave Heath a quiet truth that felt real. You saw his worry, his hope, his will to keep going—and you walked beside him. That’s why so many of us ached when he vanished without a trace. Folks still wonder where he went, spinning stories late into the night.
Here’s something that sticks with me: even years later, fans light up at the thought of Heath coming back. Corey left footprints that haven’t faded.
You can catch The Walking Dead on Netflix and AMC+. Give it a watch—just know, once you hear those footsteps in the woods, you’ll be walking that road too
3. Poker Face (2025)
Imdb Rating: 7.8/10
Corey Hawkins shines bright in Poker Face (2025), Rian Johnson’s clever mystery series that keeps you guessing. In Season 2, Episode 7—“One Last Job”—he steps in as Bill Jackson, the steady hand running a small store and boss to Kendall, a dreamer hungry for Hollywood fame. Everything seems normal… until a quiet afternoon flips into chaos during a robbery gone wrong.
What makes this episode special isn’t just the mystery—it’s how it mixes tension, laughs, and real feeling all at once. Corey plays Bill with just the right blend of grit and kindness. You believe him. You trust him. And you feel every shift as trouble closes in. His scenes with Natasha Lyonne crackle with easy energy, and critics nodded hard at the sharp writing and strong acting all around.
Here’s something I noticed: the whole episode moves like a short film—tight, punchy, full of crime, comedy, and a touch of soul, all wrapped up in less than sixty minutes.
Catch Poker Face Season 2, including Corey’s standout turn, on Peacock. If you like your mysteries smart, fast, and full of heart, this one will stick with you long after the credits roll.
4. Survive (2020, TV Mini Series)
Imdb Rating: 5.9/10
In Survive (2020), Corey Hawkins steps into the cold with quiet strength. He plays Paul—a man with a gentle heart and a will that won’t break—stranded high on a snow-covered mountain after his plane goes down. Beside him is Jane, played by Sophie Turner, carrying wounds you can’t see. Together, they face biting wind, steep drops, and the weight of their own fears, step by shaky step.
This mini-series isn’t just about staying alive. It’s about holding on to hope when the world turns white and silent. Corey brings Paul to life with eyes that speak and hands that comfort. You feel his care, his resolve, his humanity. And the way he and Sophie share the screen? It feels honest—like two lost souls leaning on each other when the ground gives way.
I’ll tell you this: Survive was one of the first big shows to launch on Quibi, that short-lived app people barely got to know.
Now you can find it on The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime Video. If you like stories where courage meets kindness—and where every breath feels earned—this one’s worth your time.
5. Futurestates (2010)
Imdb Rating: 7.1/10
Long before his name echoed in living rooms, Corey Hawkins showed his spark in Futurestates (2010)—a quiet but sharp sci-fi series that painted pictures of America yet to come. Each episode stood alone, weaving stories about tech gone too far, shifting skies, power struggles, and the ways people bend—or break—when the world changes fast. In one of those tales, Corey stepped in with a supporting role, small but full of feeling. Even then, you could see the truth in his eyes.
Futurestates isn’t flashy like other sci-fi. It doesn’t shout—it whispers questions we still haven’t answered. That’s what makes it stick. Corey’s part, though brief, brought warmth to a cold future, proving early on that he could carry weight without saying much.
Here’s something not many know: the show came from ITVS—the Independent Television Service—and lived online for free, years before “streaming” was a word everyone used.
You can still track it down on PBS.org and YouTube. If you like stories that look ahead with both warning and wonder, this one’s a quiet treasure worth seeking.
6. Placeholders (2017)
Imdb Rating: Unknown
Placeholders (2017) might fly under the radar, but it’s one of Corey Hawkins’ most honest and joyful turns. In this short comedy, he plays—well, himself. No mask, no script pretending to be someone else. Just Corey, hanging with a crew of broke, big-dreaming actors trying to crack Hollywood. The show catches them in coffee shops, auditions, and late-night talks—laughing through rejection, confusion, and tiny victories.
What makes it special isn’t the jokes alone—it’s how true it feels. Corey’s easy smile and quick wit light up every scene. You see him relaxed, silly, real. And because the show teases the everyday stumbles of chasing fame, it hits home for anyone who’s ever dared to dream out loud.
Here’s something warm: Corey’s real friends made this series. Most of the cast weren’t acting—they were themselves, sharing their own stories between takes.
You can find Placeholders on YouTube and a few other online spots. If you like short, grounded laughs with heart underneath, give it a watch. It’s the kind of show that leaves you smiling—and maybe texting a friend about your own wild dream.
7. Radio Play Revival (2023)
Imdb Rating: 7.1/10
Corey Hawkins lets his voice do the walking in Radio Play Revival (2023)—a podcast that brings back the old magic of radio drama. No costumes, no cameras, just voices, footsteps, creaking doors, and music weaving stories in the dark. In one of the show’s strongest episodes, Corey proves his voice alone can carry pain, joy, and everything between. You don’t see him—but you feel him, clear as firelight.
This series isn’t just a throwback. It’s storytelling stripped down to its bones, with today’s finest actors breathing life into every line. Close your eyes, and you’re right there—in a rain-soaked alley, a quiet kitchen, a war-torn street. Corey’s voice gives the tale weight and warmth. Critics noticed. Fans did too. They said his words didn’t just sound—they moved.
Here’s something I like: the cast includes Broadway stars and Hollywood names, all gathered like around a campfire, sharing stories meant for your ears alone.
You can find Radio Play Revival on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Try it during a walk, or late at night—no screen, just sound, and a story that pulls you in like an old friend whispering truths.
8. Dust (2020, Podcast Series)
Imdb Rating: 7.7/10
Corey Hawkins steps into the unseen in Dust (2020)—a sci-fi podcast that paints whole worlds with sound alone. Think of it like a film you listen to, not watch. The stories live in distant futures, twisted timelines, and places where tech outpaces wisdom. Corey voices one of the leads, and even though you never see him, his voice carries fire, fear, and feeling so real it lingers long after the episode ends.
Dust isn’t just about spaceships or gadgets. It’s about choices—hard ones—when the line between right and wrong blurs. Corey’s performance pulls you in deep. He doesn’t just speak lines; he lives them. That’s why fans and critics alike called the show gripping, rich, and alive with sound that moves like cinema.
Here’s something that stuck with me: the folks behind Dust call it “Netflix for your ears.” And they’re not wrong—each episode drops you into a fresh sci-fi journey, tight and vivid.
You can find Dust on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. If you like stories that twist your mind and hearts that beat through voice alone, this one’s waiting for you. Just press play—and let the dark speak.
Corey Hawkins has proven time and again that he’s not just a talented actor—he’s a true storyteller who brings something special to every project he touches. From thrilling TV dramas and emotional survival tales to creative podcasts and sci-fi adventures, his work continues to inspire and entertain fans everywhere. Which of these Corey Hawkins shows or performances is your favorite? Or is there one you think deserves more attention? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your picks and what makes them stand out to you!
