Government Cheesehas a cast so good it’ll hook you right away, though the show offers plenty more reasons to stick around. Co-created by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, this show joinsApple TV’s best showsas a comedy set in 1969 in L.A. County’s San Fernando Valley. The story follows David Oyelowo’s Hampton Chambers, a Black father returning home after years in prison. As he struggles to reconnect with his wife and sons, he also tries to build a legitimate business, but trouble from his past is never far behind.
The surreal, quirky, and surprisingly touching TV show has just dropped its first three episodes, with five more releasing every Wednesday. WhileOyelowo recently spoke aboutLawman: Bass Reeves' season 2, he’s currently making waves as executive producer ofGovernment Cheese— a project he says is unlike anything he’s even seen before. AtGovernment Cheese’s red carpet premiere, the cast shared howworking with Oyelowo pushed both emerging and veteran actors “into another gear,“calling the experience a true opportunity to “level up.”
David Oyelowo as Hampton Chambers
Date Of Birth: June 20, 2025
Actor: David Oyelowo was born in Oxford, United Kingdom, and had hisbreakout role in the 18-time BAFTA-nominated seriesMI-5, as Danny Hunter. He’s been a part of many acclaimed projects throughout the years, includingLincoln,Silo, andQueen of Katwe. The standout inDavid Oyelowo’s best moviesisSelma, where he portrays Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recently, Oyelowo has earned nominations from the SAG Awards, Golden Globes, and Critics' Choice Awards for his work inLawman: Bass Reeves,Nightingale, andThe Butler.
Five Days(2007)
Matt Wellings
Character: Davil Oyelowo leads the cast ofGovernment Cheese, playing Hampton Chambers,an ex-con trying to win the affections of his family back by proving he can be a successful businessman. While he was in Chino State Prison, Chambers developed a self-sharpening drill, hoping it would make him and his family the “toast of Chatsworth.” However, an old debt threatens to pull him away from the righteous path and into the world of crime again.
Simone Missick as Astoria Chambers
Date Of Birth: June 16, 2025
Actress: Simone Missick was born in Detroit, Michigan, andbroke big as Misty Knight in Marvel’sThe Defenders, a role she reprised inLuke CageandIron Fist. Additionally, Missick is known for portraying Judge Lola Charmicael in the courtroom dramaAll Rise, a three-season production by Oprah Winfrey’s Network. ThoughAll Rise’s season 4is heavily demanded, fans can find the actress in other notable projects — includingJinn, a coming-of-age story about a Black Muslim teen, and the sci-fi seriesAltered Carbon, where she played the bounty hunter Trepp.
The Defenders(2017)
Misty Knight
Character: Simone Missick takes on the role ofAstoria Chambers, Hampton’s sharp and spirited wife, who isn’t exactly thrilled about his return. Still hurt by his absence, Astoria finds his efforts to slip back into family life almost laughable. However, while she clearly enjoys making him work for her forgiveness, her admiration for his creativity and determination lingers. The character is also portrayed as a self-made woman with big ambitions beyond Chatsworth, having earned a degree while Hampton was in prison.
Evan Ellison as Einstein Chambers
Date Of Birth: 2003
Actor: Evan Ellison was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, andbroke out in Netflix’s adaptation of Daria Polatin’s mystery thriller,Devil in Ohio, playing Sebastian Zelle. In the series, he acted alongsideBones' Emily Deschanel, Sam Jaeger, and Madeleine Arthur. Though still early in his career, Ellison has already made a name for himself by working with major talent. In 2023, he shared the screen with Anne Hathaway, Marisa Tomei, andPeter Dinklage in the rom-comShe Came To Me.
Devil in Ohio(2022)
Sebastian Zelle
Character: As part ofGovernment Cheese’s main cast, Evan Ellison portraysEinstein Chambers, Hampton’s genius and eccentric older son— and the only one who greets his return with genuine warmth. While Einstein seems happy to have his father home, he’s often lost in his own world, which involves a lot of pole-vaulting in the yard. With unconventional views on religion and college, Einstein leaves Hampton both intrigued and bewildered, adding humor and heart to the family dynamic.
Jahi Di’Allo Winston as Harrison Chambers
Date Of Birth: July 20, 2025
Actor: Jahi Di’Allo Winston was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and had hisbreakout role in the 90s coming-of-age series,Everything Sucks!ThoughNetflix quickly canceledEverything Sucks!, the actor’s performance as Luke O’Neil left a lasting impression. Shortly after, he had a role in Daniel Kaluuya’sQueen & Slim, and in 2020, he got the lead in the Sundance award-winning film,Charm City Kings. Most recently, he shared the screen with David Harbour in Netflix’sWe Have a Ghost.
Everything Sucks!(2018)
Luke O’Neil
Character: In the original Apple TV series, Jahi Di’Allo Winston plays Harrison Chambers,Hampton’s cynical son who resents his criminal past. It seems Harrison is closer to his father’s cellmate, Rudy, a member of the Chumash people, and lives as if a part of his community. As the younger son, Harrison seems to be the most affected of the family by Hampton’s bad decisions and has a desire to be as different as possible from him.
Government Cheese Supporting Cast
The Historical Surrealist Drama Stars A Great Mix Of Supporting Talents
Bokeem Woodbine as Bootsy: Bokeem Woodbine is best known for playing Mike Milligan inFargo. He’s had notable appearances inHalo,Ghostbusters: Afterlife,Queen & Slim, andSpider-Man: Homecoming.In the show, he playsBootsy, an old friend of Hampton, who’s still working in the criminal scene.
Julien Heron as Patrice Prevost: Heron has had minor roles in several productions, includingBaskets,The Possessed,Les Idées Reçues, andDune: Part Two. Reaching a new step in his career, he portraysPatrice Prevost inGovernment Cheese, one of the criminal brothers in charge of the whole town.
Jeremy Bobb as Manny Brinks: Jeremy Bobb is a prolific TV actor most known for his roles inThe Knicks,Jessica Jones,Godless,Russian Doll, andThe Continental. InGovernment Cheese,Bobb plays Manny, Hampton’s struggling friend with whom he wants to start a business.
Bob Glouberman as Rabbi Marty: Bob Glouberman has over 100 acting credits, including guest appearances, voice acting, and some recurring TV roles. Recently, he acted inYoung Sheldon, Netflix’sRunning Point, and Kristen Bell’sNobody Wants This.
Louis Cancelmi: the actor broke out by playing Mike D’Angelo inBoardwalk Empire, and had a recurring role inBillions. He’s had parts inMartin Scorsese’sKillers of the Flower MoonandThe Irishman. InGovernment Cheese,Cancelmi plays one of the infamous Prevost brothers, usually the one sent to do the dirtiest bidding.
