Dominique Thorne connects deeply with Ironheart role

Dominique Thorne, who reprises her role as Riri Williams in Ironheart, shared how personal and powerful the character feels to her. The Marvel series, now streaming on JioHotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, explores Riri’s life beyond Wakanda — offering a closer look at her roots, her struggles, and her identity.

Thorne first played Riri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Now, she takes the lead as the tech genius in a story set in the heart of Chicago. “Riri’s journey is very different from other Marvel heroes,” said Thorne. “We’re not flashing back — we’re catching up with who she’s becoming after those big moments in Wakanda.”

What stood out most to the actress was how real Riri’s character felt. “The dialogue sounded like something I would actually say,” Thorne shared, appreciating how the script stayed true to the lived experiences of Black women from Chicago.

She also noted that many stories overlook the perspective of people like her, but Ironheart is different. “These characters feel authentic — they’re Black women who know who they are. That’s rare, and I didn’t take that for granted,” she added.

Ironheart blends technology, magic, and emotion to tell a grounded superhero story — one that is both fantastical and deeply human.