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“A Second Chance is Never Simple”: Know Everything About Government Cheese
Published
A one man’s determination to leave behind his life of poverty and rise up the ranks to provide a better life for his family. That’s the core inspirational story that Government Cheese aims to convey with its whimsical tone and and strong but silly leading man.
The trailer for the upcoming series shows the man trying to move on and get a fresh start in his life after being in prison for quite some time. He has one invention he can use to get ahead- but are there any buyers for what he is selling? Government Cheese combines the pain of poverty with the determination people have to make it up in the world.
Want to know more about the show, including why the show is titled Government Cheese? In this article, we will reveal everything we know about it. Also, stay tuned as we will keep updating this space with new details as and when they get released.
Release date and Where to Watch
The 10-part series, Government Cheese, will premiere its first four episodes on Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025, on AppleTV+. The remaining six episodes will be released weekly until May 28, 2025.
A special screening of the show was held at the Billy Wilder Theatre in Los Angeles on Apr. 1, 2025. It was attended by Ava DuVernay, Yvonne Orji, Kaley Cuoco, and more, alongside the executive producers and cast members of the show.
What is Government Cheese About?
Government Cheese follows the Chambers family as they try to adjust after their father gets released from prison. Set in California’s San Fernando Valley in 1969, the series begins with Hampton Chambers getting out of prison after being incarcerated for theft. He returns to his wife and two sons, Einstein and Harrison.
But he doesn’t exactly get the warm welcome he was hoping for. Meanwhile, he finds out that gangsters are on his tail because he landed himself in debt of $2,000 while in prison. But what did he do? Actually, he only got released from prison because a local crime family pulled some strings.
Now, the only way to get that money might be to go back to the criminal life he wants to leave behind. But Hampton isn't ready to go back. He tries his best to raise the money to pay off the gang members as well as get his business started so that he can become a millionaire.
He bets it all on an invention he made in prison- a self-sharpening drill. However, Hampton finds that it isn’t easy to crack it in the business world and that making dreams a reality takes more than hard work. To make matters worse, he also finds it difficult to stay on the right side of the law.
Paul Hunter, the creator, described the show and its characters as something like the Addams Family. He said to LA Times, “It’s this group of people in their own world, and I wanted to express the feeling of being different compared to what people thought the way we should be, especially as Black people.”
Why is the show Called Government Cheese?
As per the LA Times, “Government Cheese was the name for a processed cheese given to low-income Americans, food banks and schools through a program started in the ‘50s.” It did signify poverty but also resourcefulness and the ability to “create and improvise something new and unexpected out of the available ingredients.” This is the reason given in the show as well.
As per THR, “The series’ title relates to Hampton’s mother, who… made wonderful sandwiches using only white bread and government cheese, pointing to a resilience and inspiration that Hampton believes he possesses as well.”
Who is in Government Cheese?
- David Oyelowo as Hampton Chambers
- Simone Missick as Astoria Chambers
- Djilali Rez-Kallah as Claude/Claude Prevost
- Jean-Michel Richaud as Felix Prevost
- London Garcia as Frida
- Bob Glouberman as Rabbi Marty
- Evan Ellison as Einstein Chambers
- Zane Moyer as Young Einstein
- Jahi Di'Allo Winston as Harrison Chambers
- Bokeem Woodbine as Bootsy
- Jeremy Bobb as Manny Brinks
- Julien Heron as Patrice Prevost
- Mykelti Williamson as Gus
- Adam Beach as Rudy
- Tommy Rice as Willie B
- Christopher Gehrman as Officer Barnes
- Thomas Beaudoin
- Louis Ferreira
- Kyle Mac
- Louis Cancelmi
Is There a Trailer for Government Cheese?
The trailer begins with Hampton giddily declaring, “When I was away, I came up with a plan that’s going to make our family the toast of Chatsworth.” Laying in front of them all is the design for a drill. Mrs. Hampton dryly comments that it’s just a drill. But Mr. Hampton clarifies, “iIt self sharpens as it works.”
The trailer continues its whimsical tone as he remarks that he has left the life of crime behind and has adopted the “righteous path.” But he might have to soon return to the life he left behind because he owes the Prevost Brothers a debt.
Things seem to go from bad to worse as Hampton struggles to give his family a better life while paying off his debt and trying to be a better husband and father. But as the trailer spells out, “A second chance is never simple.” Check out the trailer below:
Episode Guide
- Season 1 Episode 1: The Gospel of Kenny Sharp (Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 2: Trial and Error (Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 3: Two Doors (Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 4: Father Facts, Figures and Failures (Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 5: Look at Me (Wednesday, Apr. 23, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 6: Parable of Drawing in the Net (Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 7: The Sequel (Wednesday, May 07, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 8: R&D (Wednesday May 14, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 9: The Women on the Roof (Wednesday May 21, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 10: St. Hampton (Wednesday May 28, 2025)
Filming Details
As per the site, Up-To-Date Actor, filming took place from May 2024 to August 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.
Behind the Scenes
Government Cheese is from Apple Studios and MACRO Television Studios. It is written, executive produced, and co-showrun by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, with Hunter also serving as director.
In addition to starring, David Oyelowo also executive produces under his Yoruba Saxon banner. Charles D. King and Jelani Johnson for MACRO Television Studios also executive produce it. Ali Brown executive produces for Ventureland.
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