David Oyelowo Interview – Silo Star Talks Episode 2, Bass Reeves

It was the script. I found it really compelling and, in a way, an insight into society. Yes, it’s a sci-fi show, but I found many aspects of it pertinent to a post-COVID world, where we’ve all had to ask existential questions. Then there was the ordinary, relatable, grounded nature of how the show begins. Holston and his wife, Allison, played by Rashida [Jones]—we find them wanting to start a family, which is something many people can relate to. But under these circumstances, it is a population-controlled environment. The stakes are high when you are given the opportunity to try for a family, and then given a finite amount of time to try. So it’s the combination of the ordinary and the extraordinary that really drew me so much.

Do you think people will be surprised by your big twist at the end of the second episode?

I hope people are surprised. I certainly was when I read the scripts. And those surprises don’t diminish, I know what continues to happen later in the show. It is a very, very fragile existence. It raises a question, because the way things start to fall apart in the silo is almost an argument for the authoritative nature of things that are in place. Because once these questions start to be asked, you pull on that thread and it unwinds rather devastatingly.

Silo it is unique in that different actors arrive at different points in the show to tell their story, unlike all of those who appear in Episode One and appear in every episode thereafter.

Not only is it intriguing, but it’s incredibly satisfying for the audience, because the reality is that you don’t know who’s about to walk in, how long they’ll be there, how important their character is, or when they’ll be there. suddenly he’s going to be thrown out of the show. So keep the tension through the roof. It also means you won’t have to do a lot of heavy lifting in the first few episodes. The initial episodes can be like, OKlet’s trudge through the mud to get to the good things. We don’t do that with this. You are pushed towards him and pulled by the seat of your pants. You’re right, that’s something unique to the program, also one of the things that works best.

“I found a lot of it especially relevant to a post-COVID world where we’ve all had to ask existential questions,” says Oyelowo.

It seems that the rise of limited series and short-lived roles has allowed actors more creative freedom, since they are no longer tied to a show for five or six seasons.

100 percent. Anyone knows that doing the same thing over and over again for an extended period of time is not ideal. Not ideal for the audience. Not ideal if you are a creative person. I’m constantly looking for a new adventure, a new story to tell, and it’s wonderful when you sit in it for a while and really tell that story. I’m here in Texas right now shooting Under Reeves. WWe can count that into eight episodes, and this was an epic, epic life. Creatively, you want to be in a place where you’re excited, you feel like there’s more story to tell, and the more finite it is, the more chance there is for the story to continue to be powerful.

Sheridan took you to Texas? Did you come and have dinner?

I’ve known Taylor for a while now and what he’s built is pretty impressive. I’m in Fort Worth, but it’s not far from his ranch where I watched 1883 Being shot. We use some of those places to under reeves also. He’s really an inspiration in terms of what’s possible when you have passion, when you have talent, and when you somehow have the energy that he has. So it’s been quite a ride. He’s someone I’m very, very inspired by.

I remember when the show was first announced, people were confused: they thought Bass Reeves was a bit yellow stone character they forgot about. Of course, he was a real person in American history. Are you excited to share their story?

Yeah, I’ve been trying to make this one for over eight years, and I have Taylor to thank for rejuvenating the western. It is understandable that people think that because the yellow stone the universe continues to be built, but this is a separate story and, as you say, a historical figure. But [Reeves] lived in the same Fort Smith and Fort Worth environment as the Duttons in 1883so it’s an easy mistake to make. [Laughs.]

Have you ever felt pressure after selma to pursue historically larger roles?

Oh no, quite the opposite. She really wanted to run in the opposite direction. Your job as an actor, especially if you want to be one that sticks around for a while, is to keep the audience guessing. I was offered so many other historical figures, so many other civil rights stories after doing that. But that was the last thing I wanted to do, especially when you’ve played such an imposing figure as Martin Luther King Jr. It’s going to be one of the best things I’ve ever done. I knew it when we were doing it. I know now. But as is the case with Siloor now going out and doing a western like under reevesI’m looking to keep bringing the changes, challenge myself and hopefully keep the audience interested.

assistant editor

Josh Rosenberg is an assistant editor at Esquire and maintains a steady diet of one movie a day. Previous work of his can be found on Spin, CBR and on his personal blog at Roseandblog.com.