David Oyelowo opens up on 'surreal and unique' Apple series that's a 'career first'

David Oyelowo has opened up about his latest venture, the Apple TV+ drama Government Cheese, calling it a unique experience unlike anything he's done in his illustrious career.

The acclaimed British actor, renowned for his role as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma and his collaboration with Apple on the sci-fi drama Silo, is set to captivate audiences with his new Apple series premiering this Wednesday (16th April).

In the groundbreaking historical dramedy, Oyelowo takes on the role of Hampton Chambers, an ex-burglar who discovers faith during his incarceration in the 1960s.

Upon his release after three years, Chambers attempts to rebuild his life and invents a self-sharpening drill known as the Bit Magician, only to face challenges on his path to spiritual enlightenment.

In an exclusive interview with Express Online, Oyelowo expressed his excitement about the project, highlighting the originality of co-creator Paul Hunter's concept that drew him to both star and produce.

"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 stands out in Hollywood as it ventures into the 1960s era with a mainly Black cast while sidestepping racism as the main thread.

"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 added. "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."

Upon his release from prison, Hampton will not only have to charm his wife, Astoria (played by Simone Missick), again but also establish bonds with his grown sons - aspiring pole vaulter Einstein (Evan Alexander Ellison) and sceptical rebel Harrison (Jahi Di'Allo Winston).

Winston shared his admiration for the unique style of the series in a chat with the Express, declaring: "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 centred 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."

Ellison concurred, reflecting: "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+ subscribers are set for a delight as the first four episodes will land on the platform this Wednesday, with subsequent new episodes being released weekly until 28th May.

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