Government Cheese is a surrealist comedy starring British-American actor David Oyelowo as a newly released ex-convict Hampton Chambers who is trying to leave his criminal past behind him. Set in 1969 in California's San Fernando Valley, the 10-part series follows Hampton's return to family life which throws his wife and sons’ lives upside down.
Here’s everything you need to know about Apple TV Plus series Government Cheese…
Government Cheese release date
Government Cheese is a 10-part series starting on Apple TV Plus, with the first four episodes released on Wednesday, April 16 2025. The remaining six episodes will follow weekly until May 28 2025.
How to watch Government Cheese: stream the new comedy series online
Is there a trailer?
Yes a trailer for Government Cheese is now out and you can give it a watch below to see all the Hamptons in action in the 1960s...
Government Cheese plot
Government Cheese tells the story of the Chambers family who are described as ‘a quirky family pursuing lofty and seemingly impossible dreams, beautifully unfettered by the realities of the world.’
It follows ex-con Hampton Chambers on his release from prison in 1969 when he realizes his wife Astoria (Simone Missick) and sons Einstein (Evan Ellison) and Harrison (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) have formed an unconventional family unit which is thrown into turmoil by his return.
The 10-part series is set in California’s San Fernando Valley in 1969, and begins as resourceful Hampton Chambers, played by Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ David Oyelowo, is in prison for theft. After he finally gets out, having found religion, Hampton is eager to reunite with frustrated wife Astoria (Simone Missick) and their sons – laidback brainbox Einstein (Evan Ellison) and rebellious Harrison (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) – but they have a mixed reaction to his return. Meanwhile, he also discovers that he has inadvertently landed himself in debt to gangsters during his time in jail. Hampton then tries to raise funds and achieve his dream of becoming a millionaire with an invention he has been working on in prison for a self-sharpening drill. But his business plans quickly go awry, along with his attempts to stay on the straight and narrow…
The series is named after the cheese that the US provided to those on welfare benefits, and with which Hampton’s mum created great sandwiches, showing how the aspirational, inventive Chambers clan have always made something out of nothing. And co-creator Paul Hunter partly based their adventures on his own family.
"I want to show Black characters in an interesting way,’ he shares. "I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and want to represent how it was growing up. My dad had ideas for different businesses but struggled to turn them into something tangible but he was a true inspiration."
Government Cheese cast — David Oyelowo on playing Hampton Chambers
In Government Cheese, David Oyelowo plays ex-prisoner Hampton.
"It's almost always seen through the lens of the historical context. But none of that’s applicable in Government Cheese,’ says Oyelowo, 49. "This is about a Black family in 1969, but it doesn't have an active connection to the racial politics of the day. It's just a family going through typical obstacles – some of them fantastical but still relatable."
* David Oyelowo has previously played Dr Martin Luther King in the 2014 film Selma and voices Agent Kallus in the Star Wars franchise. David has also been in The After, The Prophecy, Silo, Les Misérables, Spooks, Jack Reacher and Interstellar.
Who else is starring?
The remaining cast of Government Cheese are All Rise star Simone Missick who plays Hampton’s wife Astoria. Jahi Di’Allo Winston plays their son Harrison while Evan Ellison is other son Einstein.
Jean-Michel Richaud, London Garcia, Bokeem Woodbine, Jeremy Bobb, Louis Cancelmi, Julien Heron, Djilali Rez-Kallah, Louis Ferreira, Thomas Beaudoin, Kyle Mac, John Ortiz and Adam Beach round out the cast.
Behind the scenes and more on Government Cheese
Government Cheese is created by Apple Studios and MACRO Television Studios, and created, written, executive produced and co-showrun by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr. Hunter also directs; and, in addition to starring, Oyelowo executive produces under his Yoruba Saxon banner. The series is also executive produced by Charles D King and Marta Fernandez for MACRO Television Studios. Ali Brown executive produces for Ventureland.
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