In Apple TV+’s “Government Cheese”, David Oyelowo leads a surreal, soulful journey through 1969 San Fernando Valley as Hampton Chamber, a dreamer fresh out of prison, chasing redemption and a wild invention. With a powerhouse cast including Simone Missick, Jahi Di’Allo Winston, Evan Ellison, and Bokeem Woodbine, the series blends quirky family drama with spiritual undertones. ABC4 film critic Patrick Beatty sits down with the stars to unpack the family dynamics and tricks to only using your eyes to act.
Q: Tell us a little bit about the show and your character’s relationships.
David Oyelowo: “‘Government Cheese’ centers around the Chambers family. My character, Hampton Chambers and we have Astoria Chambers as well, played by Simone. At the beginning of the first episode, I’ve been incarcerated for check fraud, and he has had this religious epiphany during his time of incarceration, to invent a self-sharpening drill. This is going to be the means by which his family is going to have a better life. He comes out of prison, and they have moved on in many ways, spiritually, emotionally, and otherwise. So, you know, so much of the show is about him trying to work his way back into his family.”
Q: What was it like developing your character in regards to researching, Native American history and things like that?
Jahi Di’Allo Winston: “I would say, as far as Harrison’s relationship with the Chumash culture, I use Paul Hunter (show creator) as my resource because that was a direct thing from his experience in his life. I just wanted to treat it with as much respect as possible while also acknowledging the sheer absurdity of it. That he’s this kid from the Valley, a black kid who has no direct connection to that culture, or those people at all, but is so fascinated and upset and obsessed and thinks he is a part of it himself. You know, just helping people understand the comedy of it while also wanting to really talk about the rich history that Native Americans have in California, specifically in the Valley and in the surrounding areas.”
Q: How far into the process of building a pool did you actually get in the show?
Evan Ellison: “Right? Like, I know, when we’re shooting it, it was a little confusing because I was like, where are we right now? I don’t wanna spoil too much, but we set up, I think, maybe half of it, and then I think it jumped to, now it’s fully finished.”
Q: What is your favorite part about filming in period pieces like this?
Bokeem Woodbine: “When the set designer and the wardrobe people get on the same page as the actors and the directors, it makes you feel like you’re in another time. So it’s kind of like walking at a time machine or something. I love that aspect of working.”
Q: There’s one scene in particular that just had me laughing, but also really impressed with your performances, and I need to know the tricks. How do you give good eye flirting?
Simone Missick: “Can I just say David is such a tactician? When we shot that scene, I said, ‘Oh, there are extra levels to our flirting.’ He did a thing, he did as a smirk and a smile and a wink. I said, ‘Oh no, we’re telling a full story.’ I think we shot that twice because David said we didn’t capture the eyes like he wanted. He knew exactly what was needed, so the fact that you picked that up, I’m going to give this man all the credit.”
David Oyelowo: “I love that you pointed it out because, you know, it’s really hard to have it be believable that a couple has been together for a long time. So much of the communication is nonverbal, and so on the page, when I saw that, I thought, this is a real opportunity to show how much history this couple has. So yeah, we shot it once and then I felt like we just hadn’t exploited it enough. And the key to it is to think the thought and just believe that that is being transmitted through your eyes. The eyes are the windows to the soul.”
“Government Cheese” Is available now on Apple TV+, you can check out more reviews and interviews by going here.
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