I love that as a black person I've experienced not being a minority. I think that's helped me to combat the minority mentality people can have here, which can stop them scaling the heights. David Oyelowo blackcombatexperience Change image and share on social
The only way we are going to get diversity is if the demographics of the decision-makers change... The odd-token bone thrown is not going to do it. Don't pat yourself on the back because you made that black drama; that's not diversity. It's got to be baked into the foundation of where the ideas flow from. David Oyelowo backbakeblack share on social
People always ask me, 'Why so many historical dramas?' Because those are the best roles I get to play, and I get to play heroes in those roles. David Oyelowo dramaherohistorical Change image and share on social
You really want to keep ringing the changes - you hope that your work and your choices make people excited about where you're going next and that that might be somewhere unexpected. David Oyelowo choiceexcitehope Change image and share on social
I've never, ever taken a role for money purposes or for some bizarre notion of what may be the kind of career move that would open things up for me. If I don't believe in it, I can't do it because I won't be good in it if I don't believe in it. David Oyelowo bizarrecareergood share on social
We've had so many faith-based movies that I think are sub-par; I almost want a new phrase for them. David Oyelowo basefaithhave Change image and share on social
What I try to do with my career as an actor is what I've learned in the theater: I am rigorous with myself as to whether I'm telling the truth, and I try to surround myself with filmmakers and content creators who are also interested in the pursuit of the truth. David Oyelowo actorcareercontent share on social
Although I am a Christian, with what religion has become - a tool for so much of the bad stuff - I just say to people that I'm a person of faith. David Oyelowo badchristianfaith Change image and share on social
I've been an actor for 14 years now and a lot of that time was spent in theatre and television. Then I moved to L.A. to try and build upon that and it's starting to pay off! David Oyelowo actorbuildhave Change image and share on social
I turn down a lot of movies because sometimes they glamorize violence or the darker side of sex or criminality. David Oyelowo criminalitydarkglamorize Change image and share on social