Xavier Mills Continues Hollywood Rise With New Role in Is God Is

Former HBCU basketball standout Xavier Mills is continuing to expand his presence in Hollywood, landing another notable role that further elevates his growing acting career.

Mills, a former player at Winston-Salem State University, appears in the new Amazon/MGM thriller Is God Is, sharing the screen with Emmy-winning actor Sterling K. Brown. In the film, Mills plays Brown’s son, marking one of his most high-profile roles to date.

The project adds another major credit to a résumé that is quickly gaining momentum across film and television. Adapted from Aleshea Harris’ award-winning stage play, Is God Is centers on a dark, revenge-driven narrative rooted in family trauma and emotional intensity, featuring a cast that also includes Vivica A. Fox and Erika Alexander.

For Mills, the opportunity represents more than just another acting job—it is another step in a transition from athlete to working actor on major productions.

The Greenville, North Carolina native has been steadily building his profile in the entertainment industry. Many audiences first became familiar with him through his role as football player Nishan Leonard in Hulu’s Chad Powers, with Mills also set to return for the show’s upcoming second season.

His athletic background remains a defining part of his on-screen identity. Mills has spoken about how his experience as a college athlete helps him bring authenticity to sports-related roles, emphasizing discipline, preparation, and mindset.

He has also appeared alongside Wanda Sykes in Undercard and is expected to feature in Netflix’s upcoming project Fight for 84, further broadening his portfolio across genres.

Working on Is God Is also gave Mills the chance to learn from seasoned performers like Sterling K. Brown, whom he has credited with teaching him the importance of preparation, presence, and composure on set.

As his career continues to evolve, Mills represents a growing wave of former HBCU athletes finding new lanes in entertainment while carrying their athletic discipline into creative spaces.

For Mills, the mission remains centered on growth, faith, and longevity—both on screen and beyond it.

Credit: Story originally reported by Steven J. Gaither, HBCU Gameday (via Kansas City Star / McClatchy distribution) | Updated May 25, 2026