15 April 2026 – Oscar-winning actor, writer, producer, and director Daniel Kaluuya is the first guest in the first episode of Making Space: Exploring Creativity, Society, and the Roundhouse, a new podcast hosted by Marcus Davey, CEO and Artistic Director of the Roundhouse. The star-studded series explores creativity as a vital social force and the role of institutions like the Roundhouse in making space for imagination to thrive.
In the episode, Kaluuya, who joined the Roundhouse as Associate Artistic Director in 2023, reflects on his journey from Camden youth creative programmes to global recognition. “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 says.
Reflecting further, Kaluuya says, “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.”
On fostering young talent through the Roundhouse- home to Europe’s largest non-formal creative youth programme- and on advancing it as a world-class performance space and one of the continent’s most important creative centres for young people, Kaluuya explains the philosophy behind his new youth theatre company, Centre 59: ‘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. 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.’”
Reflecting on his connection to the Roundhouse, Kaluuya says, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you thinking in innovative ways, opening the doors, genuinely wanting to build, and backing it up. For some people, a lot of people just talk, but you believed in my dream and in what we could do together. 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.”
Kaluuya also speaks candidly about the challenges facing the arts today. “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.”
He also considers the future of creativity in a digital age. “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.”
When asked what he would do if he were Prime Minister for a day, Kaluuya outlines a bold plan for arts and culture. “I’d create an institution of funding and nurturing that leads to producing global-level talent that can’t be picked apart or defunded in perpetuity. By the time I’m gone, you can’t do anything about it. That’s how you make space for creativity to thrive.”
Marcus Davey describes Kaluuya as “one of the most inspiring people I have met, deeply thoughtful, extremely hard working, fearless, and endlessly curious and creative. Together, we created and delivered Centre 59, a new youth theatre project. Daniel’s passion for storytelling, for community, young people, and the arts are awe inspiring, and I very much hope that his extraordinary influence on the Roundhouse will be developed in the years to come.”
Making Space is a six-episode series, featuring intimate conversations with leading artists or thinkers connected to the Roundhouse. Future episodes in Series 1 include sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, released on 22 April and poet and author Cecilia Knapp, available to stream from 29 April. Series two will be announced in May.
Making Space featuring Daniel Kaluuya is available to stream from 15 April 2026 on all major podcast platforms. Find out more about the series here.