Trailblazing gay actor Tramell Tillman joins Marvel’s 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'

Emmy-nominated actor Tramell Tillman, best known for his chilling portrayal of Seth Milchick in Apple TV+’s Severance, has officially joined the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth instalment in the Tom Holland-led Spider-Man saga.

The news, confirmed by multiple sources including Variety, marks Tillman’s Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. While details of his character remain tightly under wraps, speculation is already swirling among fans, with some suggesting he could portray Daily Bugle editor Robbie Robertson or a new villain altogether.

Tillman joins a star-studded ensemble that includes returning favourites Tom Holland as Peter Parker, Zendaya as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds. Also reprising their Marvel roles are Jon Bernthal as The Punisher and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Newcomers Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) and Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) are also on board in undisclosed roles.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Spider-Man: Brand New Day is slated for a theatrical release on 31 July 2026. The film is expected to serve as a narrative bridge into Avengers: Doomsday, following recent shifts in Marvel’s release calendar.

Tillman’s casting continues his impressive run in high-profile projects. Earlier this year, he appeared alongside Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and he is currently filming Amazon/MGM’s Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother and Lena Dunham’s Netflix feature Good Sex.

A respected stage actor and a trailblazer in the industry, Tillman made history as the first openly gay Black man to receive an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Reflecting on his journey, he recently told Variety, “I’m not playing small for nobody. I’m not dimming my light for anybody. Those days are done”.