David Michael Harewood OBE Bio
David Michael Harewood OBE is an English actor and presenter whose career spans stage, screen, radio and voice work. He is known for prominent television roles including David Estes in Homeland and J’onn J’onzz / Martian Manhunter and Hank Henshaw / Cyborg Superman in Supergirl. He has appeared in films such as The Merchant of Venice and Blood Diamond and has lent his voice to major video games and audio productions. In February 2024 he began serving as President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Early Life and Background
David Michael Harewood was born on 8 December 1965 in the Small Heath area of Birmingham, England. He grew up in a family whose parents were part of the Windrush generation, having moved to England from Barbados in the late 1950s and early 1960s; his mother worked as a caterer and his father as a lorry driver. He has one sister and two brothers and spent part of his youth working in a wine bar in Birmingham city centre.
Harewood attended St Benedict’s Junior School and Washwood Heath Academy before joining London’s National Youth Theatre. At 18 he won a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he received formal training that prepared him for a career across theatre, television and film.
Path to Celebrity
Harewood built his early experience in repertory and radio while developing stage work at national venues. He performed in radio dramas and undertook a variety of supporting roles on British television that established him as a reliable character actor. His training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and participation in the National Youth Theatre provided professional foundations and early industry connections.
Across the 1990s and early 2000s Harewood steadily broadened his profile through national theatre appearances and television credits, culminating in casting that moved him into international film and American television. His versatility—stage presence, authoritative voice work and screen adaptability—helped him transition from UK theatre to larger screen roles.
David Michael Harewood Career
Early Career (1990–2004)
Harewood began acting professionally in 1990 and accumulated a range of film and television credits through the 1990s. He appeared in British television series such as Ballykissangel, The Vice and Fat Friends and took roles in feature films including Great Moments in Aviation and Harnessing Peacocks. He also developed a presence in radio drama, performing in productions such as Chambers and adaptations of classical material.
In theatre he reached notable milestones, including becoming the first black actor to play Othello at the National Theatre in London. Those early stage and screen credits established his reputation in the UK and prepared him for more widely seen film roles in the mid-2000s.
Breakthrough (2004–2015)
Harewood’s appearance in The Merchant of Venice (2004) and his role in Blood Diamond (2006) brought increased international visibility. His film work across this period demonstrated a capacity to move between Shakespearean material and contemporary drama. On television he continued to take varied parts while expanding his screen presence.
In 2011 Harewood joined the cast of the Showtime series Homeland as David Estes, director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, appearing across seasons and earning recognition from an international audience. That role marked a significant turning point that led to further high-profile television casting in the United States.
Major Projects (2015–2024)
From 2015 Harewood was a core cast member of the CBS series Supergirl, portraying Hank Henshaw and the Martian Manhunter J’onn J’onzz in dual recurring roles through 2021. The performance brought him widespread recognition in genre television and broadened his fanbase internationally. During this period he also continued film work and voice roles, including work on video games such as Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Alan Wake II.
Beyond acting, Harewood expanded into presenting and documentary work. He produced and presented the BBC documentary David Harewood: Psychosis and Me, drawing on his personal experience and campaigning on mental health issues. In 2024 he was appointed President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, a formal leadership role at one of the United Kingdom’s leading drama schools.
Notable Works and Milestones
Signature projects include Homeland and Supergirl, alongside memorable film appearances in The Merchant of Venice and Blood Diamond. Harewood has distinguished himself through stage firsts, such as his National Theatre Othello, documentary work on mental health and his later appointment to lead the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
David Michael Harewood Award Nominations
Harewood’s career has attracted industry recognition across acting and documentary work. His BBC documentary David Harewood: Psychosis and Me received a BAFTA Television Award nomination for Single Documentary, reflecting the documentary’s critical impact and his role as presenter and producer.
David Michael Harewood Awards Won
Harewood has been formally honoured by the British state for services to drama and charity. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2012 New Year Honours and was elevated to Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to drama and charity. These honours recognize sustained contribution to performance and public engagement.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) | 1 | 2012 |
| Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) | 1 | 2023 |
David Michael Harewood Family
Harewood was born into a family that migrated from Barbados to England as part of the Windrush generation. His parents moved to the United Kingdom in the late 1950s and early 1960s; his mother worked in catering and his father worked as a lorry driver. He has one sister and two brothers, and his upbringing in Birmingham shaped his early experiences and ambitions.
Personal Life
Harewood married Kirsty Handy in 2014. They live in the Streatham area of London. He is a public advocate for mental health awareness and has been open about his own experiences; his documentary work and campaigning have drawn attention to issues of psychosis and services for people with mental health conditions. He has donated bone marrow and has participated in high-profile charity events, including Soccer Aid, supporting UNICEF.