Episode 3: Daniel Kaluuya as Chairman

Proximity, 99% Invisible, and Warner Bros. present the “Judas and the Black Messiah Podcast,” an official film companion from the Radiotopia podcast network from PRX.

This episode contains spoilers. Watch the film and come back here to listen to all the fascinating behind the scenes details.

Of all the relationships Chairman Junior built during his time on the film set, the one with Daniel Kaluuya was unique. Daniel stars as Chairman Fred Hampton Senior - the father Chairman Junior never met because he was assassinated three weeks before he was born.

For much of Chairman Junior’s adult life, he’s been protective of his father’s legacy. So it was important to him that Daniel channel the spirit and power Chairman Senior was known for.