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United Kingdom David Oyelowo, a classically trained actor, has risen to prominence through acclaimed roles in film and television, including his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma."
David and Jessica Oyelowo formalized their partnership with Apple by striking a first-look deal with Apple TV+ via their Yoruba Saxon banner.
Co-Founder of Mansa and actor David Oyelowo partnered with AMC Theatres to bring a free ad-supported streaming service primarily focused on diverse content. Under his company Yoruba Saxon, he focuses on creating value-based content.
David and Jessica Oyelowo signed a TV overall deal with ViacomCBS and MTV Entertainment under their Yoruba Saxon production banner. This deal included David Oyelowo starring in the 'Bass Reeves' limited series.
Oyelowo's Yoruba Saxon company signed a first-look production deal with Walt Disney Pictures. The first film expected from this deal is 'The Return of the Rocketeer,' a Disney+ exclusive.
In 2015, in association with The Geanco Foundation, Oyelowo established the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship to fully fund the education and rehabilitation of girls who have been directly affected by terrorism in Nigeria.
Born on April 1, 1976, in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo’s early life saw him move from London to Lagos, Nigeria, at age six, returning to London at 14. He pursued an education in theatre studies at City and Islington College before enrolling in a three-year acting foundation course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), graduating in 1998. In his formative years, Oyelowo received a “Scholarship for Excellence” from Nicholas Hytner in 1998, laying the groundwork for a distinguished career spanning stage, screen, and voice acting. He is also recognized for establishing the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship in 2015, supporting girls affected by terrorism in Nigeria.
Oyelowo’s stage career commenced in 1999 with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he notably became the first black actor to play an English king in a major Shakespearean production as Henry VI, earning the Ian Charleson Award. His transition to screen brought significant roles such as MI5 officer Danny Hunter in the British drama series “Spooks” (2002–2004) and acclaimed performances in films like “The Butler” (2013), “Nightingale” (2014), and “Queen of Katwe” (2016). His portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” (2014) garnered him Golden Globe and Film Independent Spirit Award nominations and an NAACP Image Award for Best Actor.
Demonstrating career progression, Oyelowo has also ventured into production and direction. He co-produced and starred in “A United Kingdom” (2016) and served as executive producer for “Les Misérables” (2018). In 2020, he made his directorial debut with “The Water Man,” in which he also starred. His production company, Yoruba Saxon, founded with his wife Jessica Oyelowo, focuses on creating value-based content, leading to significant partnerships, including a first-look deal with Disney in 2021 and with Apple TV+ in 2023. Oyelowo’s contributions to drama were recognized in 2016 when he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II.
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