Tessa Lynn Thompson (born October 3, 1983) is an American actress. Her breakout role was in Tina Mabry's 2009 indie film Mississippi Damned. She gained further recognition for her starring roles as Nyla Adrose in the drama film For Colored Girls (2010), civil rights activist Diane Nash in the historical drama film Selma (2014), Bianca in the sports drama film Creed (2015), Valkyrie in the superhero film Thor: Ragnarok (2017), and Josie Radek in the sci-fi horror film Annihilation (2018).

On television, Thompson has starred as Jackie Cook in the mystery drama Veronica Mars (2005–2006), Sara Freeman in the period crime drama Copper (2012–2013), and Charlotte Hale in the HBO science-fiction thriller Westworld (2016–present).