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Last year, The Hate U Give—a teen drama starring Amandla Stenberg based on Angie Thomas’s bestselling novel of the same name, which premieres on HBO tonight—introduced moviegoers to a fictional charismatic black teenager named Khalil. About 15 minutes into the film, Khalil is killed—shot by a police officer after being pulled over for no clear reason. Now Khalil’s best friend Starr (Stenberg), who was in the car with him, must decide if she should speak her truth and become the center of a national news story, or stay silent.

In terms of screentime, Khalil is a small role; but in terms of narrative, he’s a hugely important one. The memory of Khalil drives every nuance of Stenberg’s performance—which, by the way, is skillful, commanding, and authentic—so thank god that director George Tillman Jr. found the right actor to play Khalil.

WHO PLAYS KHALIL IN THE HATE U GIVE?

Khalil is played by Algee Smith. Smith goes full charm as Khalil: He and Starr flirt good-naturedly (despite the fact that she has a boyfriend), enjoying their youth, up until the point that a police officer steals that away from both of them.

WHO IS ALGEE SMITH? WHAT ELSE HAS ALGEE SMITH DONE?

You may not know Smith by name just yet, but the 24-year-old actor has already had an impressive career. Originally from Saginaw, Michigan, he got his start as a teen on the Nickelodeon sitcom, How to Rock (a small role on one episode, “How to Rock Braces and Glasses”) before moving onto Disney Channel Original Movies like Let it Shine and Earth to Echo. 2017 was his breakout year: He starred in BET’s first scripted miniseries, The New Edition Story, as the real-life R&B singer Ralph Tresvant; and he starred alongside John Boyega in Kathryn Bigelow’s period crime drama Detroit, a performance that earned him critical acclaim. (That year he also released his first EP, Listen, and his second EP, 24, was released last year.)

If you’re looking to see more of Smith, good news: He stars alongside Zendaya in the upcoming HBO teen drama, Europhia—a show that Decider Deputy Editor Meghan O’Keefe says is “poised to be HBO’s Skins“—as a football player struggling to adjust to college life. (Decider Deputy Editor Meghan O’Keefe also tells me personally that Smith’s character is “one of the only teen boy characters who seems to have a soul,” which sounds promising.) All Smith needs at this point is a superhero movie to be the next Nicholas Hoult.

For all you creepers out there, yes, Smith is on social media—he’s got an Instagram, a Twitter, and of course, a Soundcloud. Sometimes he even posts mirror selfies.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBbKcpD38P/

So while you’re mourning Khalil as you watch The Hate U Give, take comfort knowing his playful spirit lives on in Algee Smith. Or something.

Where to stream The Hate U Give