David Harewood: Why It Took 40 Years to Land a UK TV Lead

Homeland changed his career. But David Harewood says it took 40 years to become a leading actor on British television. Why did he have to leave the UK to get his shot? David joins Mo Gilligan for a funny, frank and deeply personal conversation about the roles he was denied, the racism he faced playing Shakespeare, and the move to America that changed everything. He opens up about his mental health breakdown, recovery and why speaking publicly about psychosis became one of his proudest achievements. Plus, the meeting where Idris Elba announced he was heading to America, seeing Daniel Kaluuya go from schoolboy to Oscar winner, and David’s honest take on the debate over British actors playing American roles. Mo also shares the criticism that pushed him towards stand-up and why making his Netflix chicken documentary became the hardest thing he’s ever done. What’s a moment of rejection that changed your direction? Tell us in the comments. Like this episode and subscribe for more Beginning, Middle & End with Mo Gilligan. 00:00 Introducing David Harewood 02:00 Breaking through as a Black British actor 03:00 Drama school, Shakespeare and racist reviews 07:00 Birmingham roots and Mo’s journey into comedy 10:00 Why Mo chose stand-up 13:00 Why David left Britain for America 15:00 Homeland changed everything 16:00 Idris Elba’s decision to leave the UK 19:00 Black audiences and the TV gatekeepers 21:00 Representation, Luther and changing expectations 25:00 RADA and the reality of surviving as an actor 28:00 A 40-year wait, mental health and recovery 30:00 What makes British drama so good? 33:00 Inside David’s leading role as a duty solicitor 36:00 Working with greats and celebrating the next generation 39:00 Should British actors play American roles? 43:00 Actor training, identity and casting 46:00 Why Mo’s Netflix documentary pushed him to his limits 50:00 Auditions, competition and handling rejection 52:00 Why David believes his best days are ahead 55:00 Quickfire: theatre, TV and the best decade 58:00 Final words and outro Welcome to my YouTube Channel! Subscribe for brand new stand up, behind the scenes action, sensational podcast content and exclusives from the MOMO G Network. Comment, like, share and tell us what you think. Follow Mo on Twitter/Instagram: https://twitter.com/mothecomedian | https://www.instagram.com/mothecomedian/ Like the page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mogilligan/ Join the Mo Gilligan mailing list on www.mogilligan.com for updates on shows and events.