“Government Cheese” began as what David Oyelowo called “a beautiful experiment.” He had long admired the fantastical storytelling of Wes Anderson and the Coen brothers. But he hadn’t seen that applied to a Black family.
Then the filmmaker Paul Hunter approached him about playing a version of his own father — an ex-con eager to reunite with his family and make his fortune — in a short film with absurdist elements set in the San Fernando Valley in 1969. Eventually they spun it into a television series for Apple TV+, taking care to leave that tone intact.
“We were very keen to make something that we knew might not be for everyone, but was very unique in its nature,” said Oyelowo, who is an executive producer on the show in addition to its lead. “It’s very rare that people of color get to make things where they are not feeling the need to explain their existence.”
Oyelowo lives in the San Fernando Valley, where the series was shot, which meant there was little danger of violating the “no more than two weeks apart” rule that he and his wife, Jessica, established early in their relationship. And which they’ve broken only once, by 11 hours.
In a video interview, Oyelowo elaborated on why his rambunctious dogs, going to the movies and Oprah Winfrey are essential to his life. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
My Bible
I was brought up in the church, but it never really meant much to me because I was sort of piggybacking my parents’ faith. Then I had what can only be called a spiritual awakening at 16. And all of those stories that I grew up reading suddenly took on different meaning and have remained that way. It’s where I learned the true definition of love.
My Wife
We’ve now known each other for 30 years. When we met, she was 17, I was 18, and she just hijacked my heart. There was a moment where I realized I couldn’t picture a single day of my life going forward without her in it.
My Kids
Selfishness is an occupational hazard as an actor. But the greatest gift my kids have given me is selflessness. What being a father has afforded me is the opportunity to gain a new habit, which is to constantly be thinking about others.
My Gym
That’s a mental health thing for me. I need to sweat. I need to get those endorphins going. I need to shake things up. I remember in playing Dr. King in “Selma,” I had to gain about 30, 35 pounds, so I couldn’t be in the gym for several months. I hadn’t appreciated just how difficult it is to stay mentally sharp when you are not as physically active.
My Dogs
We have a Bernese mountain dog, a Siberian husky and a Cavalier King Charles. They’re too rambunctious. Two of them are very big, and I wish they didn’t jump on us the way they do — but I also love the fact that they jump on us the way they do.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah and I met in 2011 during “The Butler,” playing mother and son. I’ve lost both of my parents now, and they were massive in my life. Oprah has kind of become my chosen family, which has been a profound reality. I call her Mom O, she calls me Son O.
Going to the Movies
I just love the communal experience of going to the movies. Between being a storyteller and being a lover of community and being a real believer in the fact of the healing ability that story has as a mirror to humanity, I can’t imagine my life without that privilege.
My Scholarship Program for Girls
It coincided with the #BringBackOur Girls movement for the Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped in Nigeria. As much as I love being a Nigerian, it’s a very patriarchal society, and I’m a big believer that one of the ways to bring peace on earth is to have more female leadership. We started with three girls and we’re now at 44 girls, and we pay for all of their education, all of their mental health needs, all of their menstrual health needs.
The Theater
That is where the contract between actor and audience is cemented. We are going to go on a journey together, and I am going to do everything I can to tell the truth. Giving a performance hundreds of times to an audience, you start to understand what it costs to tell the truth.
My Assistant
I’m a bit of an A-type personality, but there is simply no way from a capacity standpoint that I could do as much as I’m doing without Darnell Rhea, who is carrying in her body about 25 to 30 percent of my brain. She is the GOAT. I’ve told Darnell that, at the very least, she has to give me seven years’ notice if she’s thinking of quitting because she’s that good at her job.
