David Oyelowo says 'totally new' Apple TV+ series was a 'career first'

David Oyelowo has opened up about his latest venture, the Apple TV+ drama Government Cheese, which he describes as unlike anything he's done in his career thus far. The acclaimed British actor, renowned for his portrayal of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

in Selma and his collaboration with Apple on the sci-fi drama Silo, is set to debut his newest project with the tech giant this Wednesday (April 16). In the unique and original historical dramedy, Oyelowo takes on the role of Hampton Chambers, a one-time burglar who discovers faith during his incarceration in the 1960s. Upon his release after three years, Chambers attempts to rebuild his life and creates an innovative self-sharpening drill known as the Bit Magician, only to face challenges on his path of spiritual enlightenment.



In a conversation with Express Online, Oyelowo expressed his excitement about co-creator Paul Hunter's concept, which he embraced both as the lead actor and executive producer, reports the Mirror . "It's one thing to think that it's unique and surreal but to talk to many people who have now seen it and for them to feel that way as well..

. That's what I felt when Paul first presented me with this short film script that we then made into a short that we spun into a show," Oyelowo remarked. "It's really hard.

.. in fact, this may be the first time in my career where I've been part of something that feels truly unique.

Where I truly cannot think of a [comparison], it doesn't feel derivative, it feels like we're coming up with something new that may go on to be replicated or may become a comp or a reference point for other shows that come behind it. "That in and of itself is a reason to run towards something, let alone its human components, its familiar components. The idea of a kind of, for my character, spiritual quest, as it were.

" The series is also a rarity in Hollywood as a period drama set in the 1960s with a predominantly Black cast that doesn't put racism front and center in the narrative. "And also a Black, quirky family in this context, in a time where we often see Black people depicted but it's always tied to Civil Rights or racial struggle," Oyelowo continued. "In this, those things are not prevalent.

"There are so many things that just made it feel like we were doing something off the beaten path which is always going to be something you want in this art form." When he returns from prison, Hampton not only attempts to woo back his wife, Astoria (played by Simone Missick) but also win over his now grown-up sons, amateur pole vaulter Einstein (Evan Alexander Ellison) and distrustful rebel Harrison (Jahi Di'Allo Winston). Winston relayed to the Express his enthusiasm about the unique aesthetic of the series, comparing it favorably to notable directors: "It had this quality of a lot of filmmakers that I love, like Wes Anderson or Tim Burton, just this really unique, sort of left of centre in the best way quality.

But it was centered on a Black family. "I had never seen anything like that, specifically my character who's very deadpan but also very intelligent and is very defiant in his beliefs. "It was different from any character that I've ever played.

I've played a lot of troubled Black teens in my career and this one was done in a way where it was rooted in something different than just a stereotype." Echoing Winston's sentiments, Ellison found the narrative approach remarkable: "For me it was refreshing to see how the story unfolded and it was showcased in a way that doesn't solely talk about race or solely talk about Civil Rights. It's present and you'll see it baked in in little ways but it's not the tone of the show which I thought was really cool.

"My character specifically, in the 60s a young Black man who's turning down Harvard, turning down MIT to do pole vaulting, there's something really intriguing about that and I just wanted to see what it was about. It was really exciting to see what Einstein is about." Apple TV+'s subscribers can look forward to diving into the world of Government Cheese as the first four episodes premiere this Wednesday, with subsequent installments releasing weekly until May 28.

Government Cheese premieres Wednesday, April 16 on Apple TV+..