He starred in the ABC soap opera All My Children (2003–2006) and the NBC sports drama series Friday Night Lights (2009–2011).

He has also starred in and produced the HBO film Fahrenheit 451 (2018), for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.

[7][8] Also in 2020, he was named People's Sexiest Man Alive,[9] and The New York Times ranked him 15th on its list of the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century.

In March 2003, he joined the cast of All My Children, replacing Chadwick Boseman, playing Reggie Montgomery, a troubled teenager, until June 2006 when Jordan was released from his contract.

[18] Jordan's other credits include guest starring appearances on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,[19] Without a Trace and Cold Case.

[21] In 2009, he guest-starred on Burn Notice in the episode "Hot Spot", playing a high school football player who got into a fight and is being hunted by a local gangster.

[22][23] In 2010, he guest-starred in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Inhumane Society", as a boxer involved in a Michael Vick-inspired dog fighting scandal.

That year, he landed a recurring role on the NBC show Parenthood playing Alex (Haddie Braverman's love interest).

His performance garnered critical acclaim, with Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter stating that Jordan reminded him of "a young Denzel Washington".

[40] Jordan prepared for his role as a boxer in Creed by undertaking one year of rigorous physical training and a stringent low-fat diet.

In October 2017, it was announced that Jordan was cast in a supporting role as Mark Reese in the upcoming Netflix superhero series Raising Dion.

[43] His performance in Black Panther received critical acclaim, with Dani Di Placido of Forbes stating that Jordan "steals the show", while Jason Guerrasio of Business Insider wrote that the actor "plays a Killmonger fueled with hate and emptiness – we won't give away why – but he also delivers it with a swagger that's just a joy to watch ... the movie takes off more in story and viewing enjoyment whenever Jordan is on screen.

[48][49] Jordan stars in Without Remorse, based on the book by Tom Clancy, as John Kelly, a former Navy SEAL and director of the elite counterterrorism unit Rainbow Six.

[11] Jordan's influences for filmmaking are Coogler, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuarón, George Lucas and Christopher Nolan.