After nearly four decades in the entertainment industry, acclaimed British actor David Harewood has secured his first leading on-screen role in the gritty Channel 4 crime drama, Pierre. Best known for his standout performances in major international hits like Homeland, Supergirl, and Sherwood, the 60-year-old actor takes center stage as a West London duty solicitor navigating systemic flaws, street-level crime, and personal crossroads.
Speaking about this milestone, Harewood compared taking the number-one spot on the call sheet to a monumental career peak. “It’s my first lead character in a 40-year career, which is quite extraordinary, and the first time I’ve been number one on the call sheet,” Harewood shared in interviews. Describing the significance of the opportunity, he added, “It’s like being captain of England. You want to be captain of your country. So for me, it was like getting the armband.”
Inside the World of Channel 4’s ‘Pierre’
Created by writers Roy Williams and John Donnelly, Pierre introduces viewers to a complex, world-weary legal professional operating in the unglamorous outer zones of West London. Unlike traditional police procedurals that focus heavily on high-ranking detectives, the series sheds light on the often-overlooked world of duty solicitors who protect vulnerable citizens during the early hours of the morning.
In the series, Pierre’s routine work taking on petty cases and custody suite negotiations is upended by the sus**cious death of a young Black client named Michael. Before his death, the teenager alleged he was targeted in a case of police harassment involving an officer. This revelation sets Pierre on a dangerous quest for truth, forcing him to walk through fire to protect those on society’s margins.
The stellar ensemble cast supporting Harewood features Jason Flemyng as his copper best friend Ronnie, Michele Austin as law firm partner Charlotte, Sara Powell as his wife Celeste, alongside Christopher Fairbank, Dylan Ennis, and Nikkita Chadha.
A Groundbreaking Career Milestone for Representation
Throughout his extensive career, Harewood has frequently broken barriers. In 1997, he made history as the first Black actor to play Shakespeare’s Othello at London’s National Theatre. Despite his talent and decades of stage and screen work, reaching leading man status in television took longer than expected due to historical limitations within the industry.
“There were no Black leading actors on television in those days. I could never break through to being a leading actor and it was frustrating… that’s why I had to go to America,” Harewood reflected, referencing his breakout turn in the political thriller Homeland.
With Pierre, Harewood not only embraces the responsibility of leading a major television production-drawing on professional discipline he learned from co-stars like Claire Danes and Melissa Benoist-but also champions a narrative that tackles modern race relations, systemic failures, and police accountability head-on.
Looking Ahead
As Pierre captures critical acclaim following its Channel 4 premiere, audiences are already looking forward to the potential continuation of the protagonist’s journey. For Harewood, the role represents a realization of his full acting range, balancing humor, wit, family dedication, and fierce public service.
“For the first time, I’ve been able to show my full range: the funny, the serious, the clever and the witty,” Harewood noted. “The husband, the dedicated father, the public servant. It was such a wonderful experience to reflect all these things in one character.”
FAQs About David Harewood and ‘Pierre’
What is David Harewood’s role in ‘Pierre’?
David Harewood stars as Pierre, a dedicated and world-weary West London duty solicitor who takes on challenging cases and fights for vulnerable people on the margins of society.
Why is ‘Pierre’ a major milestone for David Harewood?
At age 60, after a distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years across stage, television, and film-including prominent roles in Homeland and Supergirl–Pierre marks Harewood’s very first on-screen lead role.
Who created and stars in the Channel 4 series?
Pierre was co-written by acclaimed playwright Roy Williams and John Donnelly, with Sarmad Masud serving as lead director. The cast includes Jason Flemyng, Michele Austin, Sara Powell, and Dylan Ennis alongside Harewood.
What major themes does the crime drama explore?
The series addresses the vital, unsung work of duty solicitors, alongside heavier themes including systemic police racism, community fallout following racially motivated attacks, and the personal compromises made by middle-class professionals.
