5 Reasons We Love Regina King — and You Should, Too

While One Night in Miami isn't Regina's first time directing — she's directed episodes of Scandal and This Is Us — it is her feature directorial debut. "If you came to this planet from Jupiter and you watched [Regina] on set, you would not know that her path to directing was through acting. She speaks so many of the languages of filmmaking as beautifully as the acting part," Kerry Washington previously told Vanity Fair, and she's right. You can tell One Night has the deft touch of an actor to it, from the close-ups that highlight each actor at their character's most vulnerable moments to the long shots that build up tension.

Not only does she have an eye for detail when it comes to shooting a film, but her prowess also extends to choosing the right project, for the right cast, at the right time. "There were so many things about [the screenplay] that spoke to me just as a Black woman . . . getting to see Black men have a private discussion publicly and to see men so layered," she previously said at the Power Women Summit 2020. She became the first Black woman director in the Venice Film Festival's history for a reason.

Watching Regina as Angela Abar on Watchmen was an absolute gut-punch when it came to the emotional turmoil she was able to convey simply with a look. She completely disappears into each role, fully throwing herself into the task at hand and making you believe that she is truly feeling every emotion you see on screen. Over the years, she's been recognised for her dramatic work, earning an Academy Award and Golden Globe for If Beale Street Could Talk and four Emmys, one for Watchmen, two for American Crime, and one for Seven Seconds.

When it comes to challenging roles, she tackles them head on. "In that moment, I didn't have to give much direction. Regina knew exactly what she was doing. It's incredibly vulnerable, powerful, and brave all at once," Jenkins previously said to Vanity Fair about Regina in If Beale Street Could Talk.

It's always disappointing when a beloved actor reveals they either hate their job or don't care about anything. Regina doesn't fall into either category and is genuinely blown away by her success. She shouldn't be, as she deserves every accolade and more for her outstanding performances over the years. "Having this experience now, I see a whole 'nother regard for film," she told Vanity Fair in regard to campaigning for an Academy Award. Whether she's in a supporting role or the main attraction, Regina treats each with the same level of focus and determination — leading to a memorable performance.