David Oyelowo revealed an unsettling experience from his acting career, sharing that a director once halted his audition abruptly.
The group, which includes Jon Hamm, Matt Bomer, Clive Owen, Callum Turner, and Nicholas Galitzine, engaged in a candid conversation about pivotal moments in their careers and the risks they’ve undertaken.
During the discussion, Oyelowo shared a particularly challenging audition experience. He recounted a time when a director abruptly halted his audition, stating, “This isn’t working.” It was a tough moment for him.
Reflecting on his career, Oyelowo revealed a time when he felt unfulfilled professionally and hungered for more significant challenges. He recalled expressing this sentiment to his agent, which led to him receiving the screenplay for the film Nightingale—a risky venture that ultimately proved rewarding.
Recalling the experience, Oyelowo remarked, “It was just me, in a house, having killed my mother. Eighty pages with no one else. And that was as terrified as I’ve ever been, so be careful what you wish for. And, yeah, it was a risk, but it was definitely one that paid off.”
The conversation then shifted to the journey of getting Lawmen: Bass Reeves, a Western drama TV series, to air. Oyelowo described it as an eight-year endeavor filled with challenges, with many doubting its potential success. However, despite initial skepticism, the series became a global hit for Paramount+.
Addressing the issue of underrepresentation of African stories in the film industry, Oyelowo emphasized the importance of actively participating in the creation of projects to ensure these narratives are brought to light.
He concluded the discussion by expressing his aspirations for the future, revealing a desire to explore the action genre further.