History of David Oyelowo in Timeline

David Oyelowo is a British actor, director, and producer recognized for his contributions to drama. He has received a Critics' Choice Award and two NAACP Image Awards. Oyelowo's work has also garnered nominations for prestigious awards, including three Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a BAFTA Award. In recognition of his service to drama, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1965: Historical context of Selma

The film 'Selma', released in 2014, is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches.

April 1976: David Oyelowo's Birth

On April 1976, David Oyelowo was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, to Nigerian parents and brought up as a Baptist.

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1991: Origin of The Rocketeer

In 2020, Oyelowo's company signed a deal with Disney to produce 'The Return of the Rocketeer', a sequel to the 1991 film 'The Rocketeer'.

1998: Appearances in Maisie Raine and Brothers and Sisters

In 1998, David Oyelowo appeared in 'Maisie Raine' and 'Brothers and Sisters'.

1998: Completion of training at LAMDA

In 1998, David Oyelowo completed his three-year training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

1999: Start of stage career with Royal Shakespeare Company

In 1999, David Oyelowo began his stage career with the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing roles in 'Volpone', 'Oroonoko', and 'Antony and Cleopatra'.

2001: Performance as King Henry VI and Ian Charleson Award

In 2001, David Oyelowo played King Henry VI in the Royal Shakespeare Company's productions, receiving critical acclaim and winning the 2001 Ian Charleson Award for best performance by an actor under 30 in a classical play.

2002: Role as Danny Hunter in Spooks begins

In 2002, David Oyelowo began playing MI5 officer Danny Hunter in the British drama series 'Spooks' (known in North America as MI-5).

2002: Role in Spooks begins

In 2002, David Oyelowo began playing MI5 officer Danny Hunter in the British drama series 'Spooks'.

2004: Role as Danny Hunter in Spooks ends

In 2004, David Oyelowo ended his role as MI5 officer Danny Hunter in the British drama series 'Spooks' (known in North America as MI-5).

2004: Role in Spooks ends

In 2004, David Oyelowo ended his role as MI5 officer Danny Hunter in the British drama series 'Spooks'.

2005: Appearance in Prometheus Bound

In 2005, David Oyelowo appeared in a production of 'Prometheus Bound'.

2005: Appearance in As Time Goes By Christmas specials

Soon after the end of his time on 'Spooks', in 2005 David Oyelowo appeared in the two Christmas specials of 'As Time Goes By'.

April 2006: Guest appearance on Mayo

David Oyelowo guest-starred on Mayo on April 30, 2006.

2006: Directorial Debut with The White Devil

In 2006, David Oyelowo made his directorial debut on a production of 'The White Devil'.

April 2007: Role in Grace Unshackled radio play

On April 8, 2007, David Oyelowo appeared as Olaudah Equiano in 'Grace Unshackled – The Olaudah Equiano Story', a radio play adapting Equiano's autobiography.

2007: Role in Five Days

In 2007, David Oyelowo played a recurring character in 'Five Days'.

2007: Reader for John le Carré's The Mission Song

In 2007, David Oyelowo was the reader for John le Carré's 'The Mission Song'.

The Mission Song: A Novel

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2007: Revival of Prometheus Bound in New York City

In 2007, David Oyelowo's production of 'Prometheus Bound' was revived in New York City.

2008: Role in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and Sweet Nothing in My Ear

In 2008, David Oyelowo appeared in 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' and 'Sweet Nothing in My Ear'.

December 2009: Leading role in Small Island

In December 2009, David Oyelowo played the leading role of Gilbert in the BBC TV adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel 'Small Island'.

Small Island: A Novel

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March 2010: Role of Keme Tobodo in Blood and Oil

In March 2010, David Oyelowo played the role of Keme Tobodo in the BBC's drama series 'Blood and Oil'.

2011: Supporting roles in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and The Help

In 2011, David Oyelowo played supporting roles in the films 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' and 'The Help'.

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2012: Appearance in Middle of Nowhere and The Paperboy

In 2012, David Oyelowo appeared in 'Middle of Nowhere', which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and Lee Daniels' 'The Paperboy', which competed at the Cannes Film Festival.

2012: Supporting roles in Lincoln, Red Tails, and Jack Reacher

In 2012, David Oyelowo played supporting roles in the films 'Lincoln', 'Red Tails', and 'Jack Reacher'.

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2013: Role as Louis Gaines in The Butler

In 2013, David Oyelowo was praised for his role as Louis Gaines in 'The Butler'.

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2014: Voice of Alexsandr Kallus on Star Wars Rebels

From 2014 onwards, David Oyelowo provided the voice of Imperial Security Bureau agent Alexsandr Kallus on the animated series 'Star Wars Rebels'.

2014: Formation of Yoruba Saxon Productions

In 2014, David Oyelowo formed his own independent production company, Yoruba Saxon Productions, which co-produced movies that featured him including, 'Nightingale', 'Captive', 'Five Nights in Maine' and 'A United Kingdom'.

2014: Portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. and Peter Snowden

In 2014, David Oyelowo gained prominence for his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in 'Selma' and Peter Snowden in 'Nightingale', both of which received critical acclaim.

2014: Starred in HBO's Nightingale

In 2014, David Oyelowo starred in the HBO original film 'Nightingale'.

2014: Awards and Nominations for Nightingale

In 2014, David Oyelowo won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries for his performance in 'Nightingale', and received several other nominations.

2014: Role as Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma

In 2014, David Oyelowo worked with Ava DuVernay for 'Selma', playing civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

2015: Portrayal of James Bond in Trigger Mortis audiobook

In 2015, David Oyelowo was selected to portray James Bond in an audiobook version of 'Trigger Mortis', written by Anthony Horowitz.

July 2016: Naturalization as US citizen

On July 20, 2016, David Oyelowo and his wife became naturalized US citizens, motivated by his role in 'Selma' and the importance of voting rights.

2016: Othello at New York Theatre Workshop

In 2016, David Oyelowo played the title role in 'Othello' at the New York Theatre Workshop.

2016: Roles in 'A United Kingdom' and 'Queen of Katwe'

In 2016, David Oyelowo received praise for his roles as Seretse Khama in 'A United Kingdom' and Robert Katende in 'Queen of Katwe'.

2016: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

In 2016, David Oyelowo was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours for his services to drama.

2016: Oyelowo appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire

In 2016, David Oyelowo was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to drama.

2017: Voice of Scar in The Lion Guard

As of 2017, David Oyelowo voices the spirit of Scar in season 2 of 'The Lion Guard'.

2018: Role as Javert in Les Misérables

In 2018, David Oyelowo played Javert in the BBC miniseries 'Les Misérables'.

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February 2019: Joined cast of Peter Rabbit sequel

In February 2019, it was announced that David Oyelowo had joined the cast of the Peter Rabbit sequel, which was due to be released in March 2021.

2019: Voice of the Tiger in The Tiger Who Came to Tea

In 2019, David Oyelowo voiced the Tiger in a television adaptation of 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' which aired on Channel 4 for Christmas.

2020: Starred in The Midnight Sky

In 2020, David Oyelowo starred alongside George Clooney in the Netflix film 'The Midnight Sky'.

March 2021: Planned release of Peter Rabbit sequel

The Peter Rabbit sequel, in which David Oyelowo joined the cast, was due to be released in March 2021.

2023: Stars in and co-produces Lawmen: Bass Reeves

In 2023, David Oyelowo starred in and co-produced the Paramount+ western series 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves'.

2024: Starred in Coriolanus at Royal National Theater

In 2024, David Oyelowo starred in the Royal National Theater production of 'Coriolanus'.

2024: Golden Globe Nomination for Lawmen: Bass Reeves

In 2024, David Oyelowo was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film for his performance in 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' as Bass Reeves.