In Government Cheese, David Oyelowo brings to life Hampton Chambers—a character as layered, chaotic, and heartfelt as the show itself.
READ: Apple TV+ Drops First Trailer for Government Cheese, a Surrealist Comedy Led by David Oyelowo
Set in 1969 San Fernando Valley, the Apple TV+ series follows Hampton, a man fresh out of prison with big dreams and even bigger baggage. As he returns to his family—his designer wife Astoria (Simone Missick) and two wildly unique sons—he’s determined to become an angel investor and rebuild his life, even if no one else is quite ready for him.
In this exclusive interview, Oyelowo opens up about why the role clicked for him, the deeper layers of the series, and how the show mirrors the beauty and complexity of his own family life. From neurodiversity to magical realism, Oyelowo shares how the Chambers family isn’t just quirky—they’re revolutionary in how they reflect real, vibrant Black households on screen.
READ: Bokeem Woodbine Brings a “Lovable Rogue” to Life in Apple TV+’s Government Cheese [INTERVIEW]
Created by Paul Hunter and inspired by his own life, Government Cheese combines surreal visuals, offbeat humor, and family dynamics we rarely get to see—especially in period pieces about Black life.