Daniel Kaluuya: From Camden Estates To Hollywood Boulevard [Featured Article]

Three words that come to mind when describing Daniel Kaluuya are likability, authenticity, and presence. The 33-year-old actor has become a permanent fixture in the acting scene, especially in Hollywood, causing ferocious waves as of late.

Similar to many second-generation millennials, Kaluuya’s mother left their native Uganda and made the journey to his place of birth, Camden, London, whilst his father had to remain. Daniel’s route to acting wasn’t straightforward, as he came from a working-class family, and was the son of an African immigrant, Kaluuya was limited to conventional training and privileges. One of the chances he did have and grabbed with both hands was enrolling in the Anna Scher (MBE) theatre - with her lessons costing only £5 per session - he was able to study the art of improvisation to assist his craft.

Erik Carter The New York Times

Signs of his creative intelligence were significant at an early age, after writing a competition-winning play at only nine years old, which went on to get performed at London’s Hampstead Theatre. In a past interview, Daniel’s former head of drama at WAC Arts, Steve Medlin, had high hopes for him.

“I remember him distinctly. He did a solo piece from Hamlet and it was amazing. He blew the socks off everyone.

“He clearly knew what he wanted to do. He clearly wanted to be seen on stage and wanted to improve. His heart was clearly in drama.”

Like most actors gaining experience, Kaluuya ventured into many different roles on their path to stardom. One of those came when he played the role of Posh Kenneth in the acclaimed U.K. series, Skins from 2007 to 2009 - alongside Dev Patel and Nicholas Hoult - a character that many will remember. Starring in the show wasn’t all he achieved, being a contributing writer for episodes “Jal” S2 Ep 8 and “Thomas” S3 Ep3.

Kaluuya’s early 20s in acting, keeping in mind his journey to it, was exceptional. Accompanying the legend that is Rowan Atkinson, portraying the dependable agent Colin Tucker in Johnny English Reborn (2011). And a role that has have gone under the radar, his casting as Parking Pataweyo in Harry and Paul (2010-2012), a skit parody of the British cartoon, Postman Pat. Pataweyo is an African traffic warden that issues parking tickets in a blink of an eye, a segment that would’ve been met with multiple Ofcom complaints due to its racial stereotypes. On the back of all of these accomplishments, only one caught the eye of many. In 2010 he played Leon in Roy Williams’ Sucker Punch, based around a young Black boxer from 80s London, performed at the Royal Court Theatre. Kaluuya’s performance was acknowledged by many, with his knockout portrayal of Leon securing him the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Outstanding newcomer that same year.

Aleks Sierz/ 2010

After a memorable performance in Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror: Fifteen Million Merits (2011) as Bing, his performance captured the hearts of many. Coming from Season 1, Episode 2 of Brooker’s technology-driven show, it increases the possible reality of new inventions causing a society’s downfall. Equivalent to the “American dream”, Bing, along with others, pedal their way to potential success - their main task being to ride an exercise bike assigned to them like hamsters on a wheel. Reaching the total of fifteen million merits - the society’s currency - will enable them to have a chance at performing on a Britain’s Got Talent like show in hopes of leaving the clutches of the bike. Bing’s experience becomes drastically flipped around when he encounters Abi (Jessica Brown Findlay), a promising singer searching for a way out of the dystopian lifestyle. The selfless Bing offers her the remainder of what she needs to perform; however, it takes a different route as she gets persuaded to delve into the adult side of entertainment, which Bing is not happy about as he was fond of her. Working exceedingly hard to get an opportunity to voice his opinion on the ongoings pays off, finally getting the chance to make a monumental statement.

Netflix/Black Mirror

Daniel’s final monologue, with a piece of glass he holds to his neck, instantly leaves viewers wide-eyed and enhances his ability to be expertly meticulous with each role played. This scene caught the attention of none other than Jordan Peele, first-time director of the racial satire and mildly horror movie, Get out (2017). Daniel plays the role of Chris, an aspiring photographer in a relationship with a white lady, Rose (Allison Williams), who finds the task of visiting her family hard to avoid - apprehensively asking - “do they know I’m black?” This is when we bare witness to a coming-of-age showing from him.

Blumhouse Productions/Get out

Arriving at Rose’s family home was oddly too smooth, receiving an unexpectedly warm welcome from her parents, Mr and Mrs Armitage (Bradley Whitford & Catherine Keener). Chris' suspicions of them increase, after out-of-the-ordinary conversations and a get together of wealthy individuals. Later on in the movie, his worries are confirmed after his preparation to leave the family home is halted by the suspenseful gathering of them all.

The continuation of the scene is filled with eerie tension, bolstered by the ominous music - an influx of emotions drown Chris - leaving you on the edge of your seat. Every second that passes, the more of a horror film it becomes, with the infamous repetitive lines of Chris asking Rose for the car keys, and the final demand flaunting Daniel’s vocal range.

The final scenes of the movie see Chris on the verge of going through a lobotomy, with the families attempt is faltered. His character as the protagonist is gradually brought to life by the precisely written screenplay, as he fends off the continuous attacks from the Armitages. Historically dissimilar from horror films that feature a Black cast member, the heavy-panting and sweaty Chris is blinded by police lights, but without expectation, his long-winded nightmare is discontinued when he notices his best friend in TSA, Rod Williams (Lil Reí Howrey) step out of the vehicle - who did warn him not to go from the outset.

Kaluuya’s spotless performance massed a large amount of praise, being awarded the prestigious EE Rising star Bafta award the following year. The trajectory of his status continued to rise in the following year with his casting in Widows and Marvel’s Black Panther, alongside the late great, Chadwick Boseman in 2018. In 2019, we saw Daniel and Jodie Turner-Smith starring in Melina Matsoukas’ race-based movie, Queen and Slim, as two strangers who get caught up in an unfortunate incident after a first date. In an interview, Matsoukas was quick to dissolve the similarities to Bonnie and Clyde.

“I think it’s a really simplistic and diminishing way to talk about our film.

“I don’t really agree with basing black films on any white archetype. I think there’s a huge difference in who Queen and Slim are. They’re not criminals on the run, they’re two very human people who have a shared experience that was not their choice.”

Yet again, Daniel’s effortless performance caused heads to turn, assisted by the captivating dialogue and the underused theme of cheering on black people to win. The film's impact was monumental, as it contains a deeper meaning than its appearance in cinema. We witness the harsh reality that Black people face around the world, a timeless movie that will live long in the memory.

Kaluuya’s consistency and ever-growing skill set were rightfully rewarded, after three mind-blowing victories as best supporting actor at the: 78th annual Golden Globes, 93rd annual Academy Awards (Oscars) and the 74th British Academy Fim Awards (Bafta), following his portrayal as the late African-American activist, Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), alongside LaKeith Stanfield.

Chris Pizello/Pool/Shutterstock

With a succession of roles tailored for him, channelling a former leader of the Black Panther Party may have felt like a large weight on his shoulders, but one that he carried in his stride. Daniel is a complete professional, and his spine-chilling accomplished performance confirmed this. In the wake of immersing himself in the role, he acquired the help of Hampton’s son, Fred Hampton Jr.; attended the early schools and speaking venues of Hampton and met former Black Panthers to discuss the legacy he left in Chicago. One of, if not the most impactful scene in the movie was Kaluuya’s enthusiastic, stimulating speech addressing the supporters of the movement, leading the chant of “I am, a revolutionary,” Hampton’s remarkable political knowledge at the tender age of 21-years-old was depicted in fine detail by Daniel.

Daniel Kaluuya is one of many Black British actors that wave the flag for London overseas, proving time and time again that there is a possibility to break barriers. The current stars are knowingly filling aspiring actors of this generation with optimism, proving that it is conceivable to get to any unreachable heights regardless of your upbringing.

Kaluuya doesn't appear to be taking his foot off the gas, as 2022 is gearing another to be another exciting year for him, with the highly-anticipated releases of Jordan Peele’s Nope and Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The Camden-born actors rise is nothing short of incredible, with his dedication navigating him onto a path to stardom. Standing out in Hollywood is not easy, but Daniel is more composed as they come, with his noticeable decision of refraining from code-switching to appease anyone backing his humble persona. A true future legend in the industry.