Government Cheese stars were 'thrilled' that racism isn't a major theme (2025)

Apple TV+ drama Government Cheese follows the Chambers family in the 1960s

The cast of Government Cheese has revealed their delight at the show's unconventional approach, opting not to highlight the Civil Rights movement in its portrayal of a Black family's trials during the tumultuous 1960s.

In a time stained by deep-seated racism and the ongoing fight for equal rights, this unique comedy-drama - brainchild of Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carter - chooses instead to delve into the personal growth and kinship tribulations of lead character Hampton Chambers, portrayed by David Oyelowo.

Fresh out of jail, having served time for cheque forgery, the ostensibly reformed criminal and devoted patriarch seeks redemption in his newfound venture: an inventive, self-sharpening drill dubbed the Bit Magician. Despite striving towards moral and spiritual betterment, Hampton's former illicit allure battles against his determination to reconcile with his loved ones, including his wife Astoria (Simone Missick) and sons Harrison (Jahi Di'Allo Winston) and Einstein (Evan Alexander Ellison).

Commenting on the series in conversation with Express Online, Oyelowo encapsulated the essence of the show: "[It's about] 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.

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"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."

The cast of the groundbreaking production has expressed their excitement about working with an almost entirely Black ensemble on a project that stands out from previous films and television series.

Ellison remarked, "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."

In the series, audiences will also get to know Hampton's lifelong friend, Bootsy, who actor Bokeem Woodbine characterises as a pivotal "facilitator" for his freedom-seeking companion.

Woodbine expressed his enthusiasm for the role, telling the Express: "I was so thrilled that I was gonna get a chance to be a part of a show that depicted a Black American family during this time period that wasn't revolving around, or looming in the background, the theme of our struggle for human rights.

"We don't really deal with it as a major tenet and the racism that's obvious and prevalent in the show is dealt with in a wonderful way because it gives almost a glancing over slightly of the kind of 'microaggresive' racism that a lot of people of colour face on a regular basis in America."

While the series doesn't make direct references to historical civil rights events, such as those led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. - a figure Oyelowo famously portrayed in the celebrated film Selma - racism is still a recurring element throughout.

The Chambers family, despite being the only Black family in a middle-class neighbourhood, do not face overt racism from their neighbours, and Hampton's challenges are more spiritual and financial than racial, distinguishing Government Cheese from other period dramas.

"It's not necessarily overtly violent, it's not necessarily, 'Okay, this is gonna get messy really quick'," Woodbine said. "It almost makes the bigots look kind of pathetic, that they have to have this passive aggressive, lame, unspoken hidden racist notions.

"It just kind of really shines a light on that type of racism, which is that subtle, underneath the surface... like for a Black man when you get in an elevator and an older white woman might clutch her purse and shrink herself in the corner. Like, 'Lady, I'm just trying to get to my floor!' It's not necessary.

"It shines a light on that without it being a major theme and I love that about it. It's nice to have a depiction of a family in that time period, a Black American family, that focuses on the odd, eccentric behaviour of the family.

"Every family, I've come to learn over the years, is a little odd and eccentric. I thought it was great that they leaned into that as opposed to the more typical depictions."

Government Cheese continues Wednesdays on Apple TV+.