Daniel Kaluuya discusses the ‘blissfully stubborn’ attitude shaping his career

Daniel Kaluuya has discussed his passion for acting and how a “blissfully stubborn” attitude in his youth has shaped his career.

The Oscar-winning actor, 37, rose to fame in the early 2000s in teenage drama series Skins, before launching a Hollywood film career, starring in popular films including Get Out (2017) and Nope (2022).

Kaluuya has since shifted his focus to behind-the-camera projects, including writing, directing and producing, and three years ago he launched youth theatre company Centre 59 with music and arts venue Roundhouse, in north London.

Speaking during the Making Space: Exploring Creativity, Society And The Roundhouse podcast, Kaluuya reflected on his life-long passion for his craft.

He said: “I just love what I do and I want to keep doing that. I don’t think I had the temperament to do a job I didn’t love if I’m being honest, for a living, at that age.

“I was just kind of blissfully stubborn. I really love this. I really want to do this.”

He continued: “The most valuable thing I learned from youth classes and drama clubs was tuning into my inner voice, listening to my intuition, and knowing what to write or create.

“My mum didn’t push. She just gave me space and believed in me. That freedom was more powerful than anything else.”

He also discussed why he felt compelled to create his own theatre company, and said: “It’s about empowering young people, letting them show us what they can do and then finish.

“Some of them have already made a play that was in Highbury (Roundhouse venue). The people who are really about it will kick on.

“We can’t hold their hands. That’s how you make space for creativity to grow.”

Speaking to host Marcus Davey, chief executive and artistic director of the Roundhouse, Kaluuya added: “I’m just happy to be here now, grateful for the welcome, proud of the work we’ve done so far, and excited to do more, knowing you’ll be involved every step of the way.”

When asked about the challenges facing the arts today, Kaluuya said: “I don’t think there’s something being done against the arts. I think they just don’t believe it’s valuable in terms of their aims.

“That’s more harmful than attacking it. We have to ask ourselves what we’re going to do about it, not wait for institutions to build our institutions for us.”

Speaking about the impact of the digital age, he added: “Imagination is the maturation of curiosity. AI could dull curiosity if you allow it.

“But humans are resistant. We’ll revolt if it goes too far. You still need humans to curate, direct, and harness technological advancement.”

The full interview is available on the Making Space: Exploring Creativity, Society And The Roundhouse podcast.