Government Cheese is a historical surrealist comedy drama television series created by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr and starring David Oyelowo, Simone Missick, Bokeem Woodbine, Adam Beach, and Sunita Mani. Set in 1969, the series follows the Chambers family, an African American family living in the San Fernando Valley, and the chaos that arises after burglar-turned-inventor Hampton Chambers returns from prison. Government Cheese premiered on April 16, 2025, on Apple TV+.
Premise In 1969, Hampton Chambers, a convicted burglar, is released from prison and returns to his home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, where he reunites with his family and tries to start over with a second chance by inventing the "Bit Magician", a self-sharpening power drill. However, the unconventional structure of the Chambers family formed in his absence, moments from his past, run-ins with shady and dangerous figures, and even instances of seeming divine intervention complicate matters.
Cast Main David Oyelowo as Hampton Chambers Simone Missick as Astoria Chambers Jahi Di'Allo Winston as Harrison Chambers Evan Ellison as Einstein Chambers Bokeem Woodbine as Bootsy
Guest Jeremy Bobb as Manny Brinks Louis Cancelmi as Jean-Guy Prevost Julien Heron as Patrice Prevost Christopher Redman as Nicholi Redman Djilali Rez-Kallah as Claude Prevost Louis Ferreira John Ortiz as Todd Edelbrock Adam Beach as Rudy Sunita Mani as Edith Stephen Schneider as Ronald Dan Donohue as Dean Dremel
Episodes
Production
Development It was announced in June 2022 that Apple TV+ was nearing a deal to order the series, which would see David Oyelowo star in and executive produce.
Casting The deal for the series was closed by December 2023, when Oyelowo and his production company Yoruba Saxon signed a first-look deal with Apple, and Simone Missick would be cast. In April 2024, Bokeem Woodbine, Adam Beach and Sunita Mani would be among additional castings announced.
Filming Filming began in May 2024 under the working title Bonneville in Los Angeles.
Reception
Critical response The series holds a 73% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 30 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Peculiar and peppy, Government Cheese has some holes but gets by on the strength of its nutty writing and a collection of tangy performances." On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 63/100, based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
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