You probably recognize her face, even if you can’t quite place the name at first. Whether it’s the intense, high-stakes drama of a slasher reboot or an Oscar-winning short film that hit way too close to home, Zaria Carter (often known simply as Zaria) has been quietly building one of the most interesting resumes in Hollywood.
She isn't just another "it girl." She's a classically trained talent who seems to pick projects that actually have something to say. Honestly, looking back at Zaria Carter movies and tv shows, the variety is kind of wild. From the grit of Millwood to the surreal time loops of social commentary, she’s proving she can handle basically anything a director throws at her.
The Pretty Little Liars: Summer School Breakout
If you’ve been on Max lately, you’ve seen her as Faran Bryant. In Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and the subsequent Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, Faran isn't your typical "mean girl" or "jock." She’s a ballerina. She’s disciplined. She’s tough as nails but incredibly vulnerable under all that poise.
What’s cool about her performance is how she handles the physical demands. Faran deals with chronic pain and the immense pressure of the dance world, all while being hunted by a masked killer. Zaria brings a certain "don't mess with me" energy that makes Faran the backbone of the group. You’ve probably noticed she doesn't just scream and run; she fights back.
That Oscar Win You Might Have Missed
Before she was dodging "Bloody Rose" in summer school, Zaria starred in something that actually took home an Academy Award. She played Perri in the 2020 short film Two Distant Strangers.
If you haven't seen it, it's a "Groundhog Day" style time loop story, but with a devastatingly real twist about police brutality. Zaria plays the woman Joey Bada$$'s character keeps waking up next to. It’s a short film, yeah, but her performance provides the emotional anchor for the whole story. She captures that "morning after" bliss that gets shattered over and over again. It’s heavy stuff, but it really put her on the map for people in the industry.
A Growing List of Credits
She didn't just appear out of thin air. Like most actors, she started with smaller guest spots that you might have missed if you weren't looking.
- Black-ish: She had a quick guest role back in 2019. It was small, but it was a start.
- Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!: She played Sasha in the Jamie Foxx sitcom on Netflix. It was a totally different vibe—lighthearted, comedic, and energetic.
- Found: More recently, she’s been appearing in the NBC hit Found as a recurring guest star.
- Bosch: Legacy: She even made an appearance in the gritty world of Harry Bosch.
It's clear she's not interested in being pigeonholed. One minute she’s in a sitcom, the next she’s in a prestige drama or a slasher flick. That’s usually the sign of an actor who is going to be around for a long time.
Big George Foreman and the Big Screen
Zaria also made the jump to feature films in a big way with Big George Foreman (2023). She played Mary Joan, and while the movie focused on the boxing legend’s life, she held her own among a heavy-hitting cast that included Forest Whitaker. It showed she could handle a period piece just as well as a modern-day horror show.
What’s Next for Zaria Carter?
With the success of Pretty Little Liars, it’s basically a given that we’ll be seeing more of her. She’s already started dipping her toes into music, releasing her debut single "White Lotus" in mid-2024.
People are starting to realize she’s a multi-hyphenate. She acts, she sings, she models, and she seems to have a really good head on her shoulders about the roles she takes. She’s not just chasing fame; she’s chasing characters with actual depth.
If you're looking to dive into her work, start with Two Distant Strangers for the emotional impact, then binge Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin to see her really come into her own as a lead. You can find most of her recent work streaming on Max or Netflix, making it pretty easy to catch up on why everyone is talking about her. Keep an eye on the 2026 casting announcements—word is she has a few more lead roles in the pipeline that haven't been fully declassified yet.
