Bokeem Woodbine, Adam Beach, and Sunita Mani have also been cast in the upcoming dramedy series “Government Cheese.” They join previously cast Simone Missick and David Oyelowo with Oyelowo also serving as the executive producer in the series from Apple Studios and MACRO Television Studios.
The show follows the story of Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), a recently released ex-convict trying to rebuild his life while grappling with unexpected divine interventions that seem to happen with increasing frequency. Missick plays Astoria, Hampton’s wife.
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The series is based on Paul Hunter’s short film of the same name, with Hunter co-creating and directing alongside Aeysha Carr. Executive producers include Oyelowo through Yoruba Saxon, Hunter via Ventureland, Carr, Charles D. King, Ahmadou Seck for Macro Television Studios, and Jelani Johnson and Marta Fernandez. Ali Brown from Ventureland serves as co-executive producer. Apple Studios and Macro Television Studios are co-producing the project.
David Oyelowo recently inked an overall deal with Apple TV+ through Yoruba Saxon, with plans to develop and produce content for the streaming service.
The “Government Cheese” announcement follows Oyelowo’s success with the Apple series “Silo,” which has been renewed for a second season. Oyelowo and his wife Jessica’s deal with Apple is one of the first post-writers and actors strikes first-look deals.