David Harewood

David Harewood (born December 8, 1965) is a British actor, director, presenter, and mental health advocate. This article explores his early life, breakthrough roles, challenges, activism, and enduring influence—along with some of his reflections and memorable statements.

Introduction

David Harewood is a versatile British actor whose career spans stage, television, and film. He has gained wide recognition for his roles in Homeland, Supergirl, and numerous British dramas, but also for his courage in speaking publicly about mental health, race, and identity. Beyond his acting, Harewood’s life story is one of resilience, reinvention, and advocacy—shaping how we think about representation, trauma, and healing in the public eye.

Early Life and Family

David Michael Harewood was born on 8 December 1965 in the Small Heath area of Birmingham, England. His parents—Romeo and Mayleen—were born in Barbados and came to the UK in the 1950s and 1960s, part of the Windrush generation. He has three siblings: a sister, Sandra, and two brothers, Rodger and Paul.

Growing up, Harewood attended St Benedict’s Junior School and then Washwood Heath Academy in Birmingham. He was active in performance early on and joined the National Youth Theatre. At age 18, he earned a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), an important step toward his acting career.

In private, Harewood has shared that he sometimes acted out in class, often being the “class clown” and getting into trouble, which contained early expressions of his energy and need for performance.

Acting Career & Achievements

Early Roles and British Television

Harewood’s on-screen career began in the early 1990s. His first television appearance was in an episode of Casualty. Over subsequent years, he appeared in a variety of British shows: The Bill, Spatz, Babyfather, Ballykissangel, The Vice, Fat Friends, and more. He also acted in British film and stage productions, gradually building a reputation for range and depth.

A landmark in his theatre career came in 1997, when he became the first Black actor to play Othello at the National Theatre in London (in a major production). He also portrayed other heavyweight roles on stage—such as Martin Luther King Jr. in The Mountaintop—showcasing his strength in roles that engage with social, political, and human complexity.

In film, some of his early notable credits include The Merchant of Venice (he played the Prince of Morocco) and Blood Diamond.

Breakthrough in International Television

Harewood achieved wider international recognition through his casting in Showtime’s Homeland (2011–2012) as David Estes, the director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center. His character’s arc was significant and dramatic, and the show introduced him to a broader U.S. and global audience.

Later, he took on the role of J’onn J’onzz / Martian Manhunter (and the dual human guise of Hank Henshaw / Cyborg Superman) in the television series Supergirl (2015–2021). This role placed him in the superhero genre and expanded his visibility among new audiences. During this time, he also made his directorial debut in the Supergirl series.

In 2025, he is set to star in a new television series, Pierre, a legal drama on Channel 4, playing the lead role.

Awards, Honors & Institutional Roles

Harewood was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to drama in the 2012 New Year Honours. In 2023, he was upgraded to Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama and charity. In February 2024, he was announced as the new President of RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), one of the most prestigious acting institutions in the UK.

His presidency is historic: he is the first person of colour to lead RADA, and he has remarked on how meaningful it is to “give back” to the institution that shaped him.

He remains active on stage and screen. In 2025, he is returning to the role of Othello in a major West End staging—nearly 30 years after his landmark performance.

Challenges, Mental Health & Activism

One of the most compelling and human parts of Harewood’s story involves his mental health struggles. In his twenties, he experienced a severe breakdown, was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, and spent time in psychiatric care.

He has been candid about using alcohol and marijuana to self-medicate, discarding prescribed medications, and grappling with identity, pressure, and trauma. He later made a BBC documentary, David Harewood: My Psychosis and Me, exploring his experiences, stigma, and recovery.

Because of his openness, he has become a vocal mental health advocate, especially in Black and minority communities. He speaks about destigmatizing mental illness and encouraging others to seek help.

On the topic of race and representation, Harewood has critiqued the systemic limitations and expectations placed on Black actors. Early in his career, he faced hostile reviews focused more on his colour than his craft. He has used his platform to call for more inclusive casting, mentorship, and institutional reform.

He has also engaged with conversations around reparations for slavery. His ancestors were enslaved on Barbados plantations; the surname “Harewood” comes from plantation owners’ names. Harewood has publicly engaged with descendants of those same plantation ancestors (notably the Lascelles family) in dialogue about memory, responsibility, and acknowledgment.

Personality, Strengths & Public Voice

Harewood is often described as thoughtful, earnest, courageous, and resilient. He combines an actor’s craft with a reflective public voice.

His strengths include:

• Emotional honesty: He does not shy away from discussing pain, mental health, or failure.

• Range and versatility: He moves between genres (drama, superhero, stage, historical) with credibility.

• Advocacy and leadership: Especially now in his role at RADA, he aims to push for equity, diversity, and support systems for younger actors.

• Integrity: His choices suggest a commitment not just to fame but to meaningful impact.

He has also faced—and navigated—setbacks, criticism, and institutional bias. His willingness to speak about vulnerability and recovery adds depth and relatability to his public persona.

Memorable Reflections & Quotes

Here are several striking remarks attributed to David Harewood (or drawn from his interviews and essays) that illuminate his perspective:

• “I feel no shame about my mental breakdown: it helped make me who I am.”

• “The only place I feel like I belong is on stage. On stage I feel 10 feet tall. If you give me a character, I’m indestructible, I feel invincible.” (quoted in a profile)

• On his early RADA and acting struggles: “My second job was with the same director … the only way I could go on stage was to get hammered … I hated the profession, hated what I was doing, totally lost my confidence.”

• On returning to Othello decades later: He said revisiting the role “lit the touch paper”—he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and recognized that many lines remained deeply imprinted in his mind.

• On representation and casting: When asked about blackface and boundaries of role choice, Harewood clarified that blackface “is a grotesque distortion of race and should always be condemned.”

These lines reflect his mix of humility, self-critique, aspiration, and ethical commitment.

Lessons from David Harewood’s Journey

1. Vulnerability can be power
   By openly sharing mental health struggles, Harewood challenges stigma and offers solidarity.

2. Persistence across systemic barriers
   His path shows that talent alone is seldom enough—resilience in the face of bias, rejection, and inertia matters.

3. Use your platform
   He uses his voice to advocate for institutional change, representation, and mental wellness—showing that art and activism can intertwine.

4. Return to the roles that haunt you
   Revisiting Othello after decades suggests that growth and perspective can deepen one’s connection to past work.

5. Leadership grounded in experience
   In taking on the presidency of RADA, Harewood embodies the idea that those who have faced obstacles are often best positioned to open doors for others.

Conclusion

David Harewood is more than a celebrated actor—he is a cultural figure whose story encompasses artistry, adversity, survival, and commitment. From Birmingham to RADA’s presidency, from mental health crises to public advocacy, his journey has been marked by courage and transformation. As he continues to perform, lead, and speak, he invites us to consider not just the characters he plays, but the human behind the roles—and the possibility of growth beyond pain.