Wanda Sykes Steps Into the Ring for Her First Dramatic Lead Role in ‘Undercard’

The comedian-actor makes her dramatic film debut as a former boxing champion seeking redemption and reconnection with her estranged son in Tamika Miller’s award-winning indie feature.

Wanda Sykes is stepping into new territory, and into the ring, with her first dramatic lead role in the boxing feature “Undercard,” set for a theatrical release Feb. 27.

Seismic Releasing has acquired director Tamika Miller’s feature-length drama and will distribute the film nationwide, according to an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter. The film marks a significant shift for Sykes, whose career has largely been defined by her sharp comedic voice across stand-up, television, and film.

In “Undercard,” Sykes portrays Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart, a two-time former boxing champion who is now in recovery from alcoholism. After years of estrangement, Cheryl reaches out to her 21-year-old son, Keith Stewart, played by Bentley Green. Their reunion is fraught with resentment and unresolved trauma, but it also opens the door to a fragile partnership rooted in shared ambition and unfinished business.

Keith, a naturally gifted fighter, has relied on raw talent rather than discipline. When a devastating loss, fueled in part by his gambling-addicted trainer, derails his career, his confidence crumbles. Cheryl sees an opportunity not only to salvage her son’s boxing future but to reclaim the family she abandoned. Together, they navigate forgiveness, pride, and the emotional bruises that linger long after the bell rings.

The film is directed by Tamika Miller, known for “Honor Student,” and co-written by Miller and Anita M. Cal. During its run on the independent film circuit, “Undercard” garnered significant audience acclaim, winning the Audience Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature at the Newport Beach Film Festival and the Audience Award for Best Independent Film at the St. Louis International Film Festival.

“‘Undercard’ has been a labor of love for over a decade, and seeing Wanda Sykes in her first dramatic role has been extraordinary,” Miller said in a statement. “Bentley Green delivers a remarkable, heartfelt performance as her son, bringing real depth to their story. This film is about resilience, courage, and the battles we fight both in and out of the ring.”

Sykes echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the long road to the film’s release.

“Finally! This project has been in the works for years,” she said. “I’m excited for the audience to see on the big screen the love that was poured into the making of this film, from top to bottom.”

The cast also includes Xavier Mills, William Stanford Davis, Roselyn Sánchez, Berto Colón, and Estella Kahiha. Sykes serves as an executive producer alongside Holly Levow, Mark Pennel,l and Paul Kampf. Producers include Miller, Anne Clements, Frances Lausel,l and Andrés Ramírez Molina. The film was produced by Catalyst Studios.

For Sykes, whose screen credits include “History of the World: Part II,” “The Upshaws,” “Monster-in-Law” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the role represents a deliberate expansion of her artistic range. While she has long demonstrated emotional depth beneath her comedic timing, “Undercard” places that vulnerability at the center of the narrative.

The film’s trailer highlights the tension between Cheryl and Keith, underscoring the emotional stakes of their uneasy alliance. Scenes move between the physical rigor of the boxing gym and intimate confrontations about abandonment, addiction, and accountability. The drama suggests that the hardest fights are not always the ones under the arena lights.

At its core, “Undercard” explores second chances, in sport, in sobriety, and in parenthood. Cheryl’s nickname, “No Mercy,” once symbolized dominance in the ring. In her attempt to reconnect with her son, she must confront a different kind of challenge; learning when to soften.

“Undercard” arrives in theaters Feb. 27.

Watch the Trailer: