Actor D.K. Uzoukwu on His 'Clean Slate' Breakthrough
D.K. Uzoukwu was in the middle of a delivery for an app—the kind of gig many aspiring actors take on while chasing their Hollywood dreams—when his phone rang.
On the other end, his manager had life-changing news. TV legend Norman Lear, the visionary behind "Good Times," "Sanford & Son," and "The Jeffersons," was producing a new series called "Clean Slate," and Uzoukwu had an opportunity to audition.
“I read the breakdown,” he recalls, “and instantly got very excited. Then I instantly got nervous, knowing his history. I was like, ‘Well, I’m definitely not getting this one,’ so I decided just to have fun with it and make it my own.”
Turns out, he was wrong.
Premiering on Prime Video on February 6, "Clean Slate" tells the story of Desiree (Laverne Cox), who returns home to Alabama after decades in New York. Her father, a car wash king named Harry (played by comedy veteran George Wallace), is shocked to learn that the son he hasn’t seen in years is now his daughter.
Uzoukwu plays Louis, Desiree’s childhood best friend and the choir director at the local church. But Louis is carrying a secret of his own—he’s gay, and he’s not out to his family. His story is one that resonates deeply within Black communities, particularly in the South and within the church.
Despite drawing some parallels between his own life and his character’s journey, Uzoukwu was intentional about giving Louis his own identity.
“I didn’t want to rely too heavily on the whole ‘DL choir director’ trope, even though that's what this character is,” he explains. “I wanted him to still be a fully developed human with his own quirks and his own personality.”
A Story of Growth, Friendship, and Family
"Clean Slate" carries the signature Norman Lear touch—a lighthearted approach to tackling weighty social topics. In this case, the show explores LGBTQ+ identity, acceptance, and the complexities of coming out in a conservative environment.
For Louis, Desiree’s return forces him to confront the parts of himself he’s kept hidden.
“Her presence, her being back in town brings up all of these other things that he hasn’t taken the time to deal with,” Uzoukwu explains. “She presses him to evolve a little bit and allow for other people in his life to evolve as well with him. I love the fact that we get to see their friendship stressed and strengthened in the process.”
Louis’ mother, Ella—played by the legendary Telma Hopkins—has long suspected her son’s truth. However, rather than forcing a conversation, she patiently waits for Louis to come to her on his own terms.
“There’s this need and want to have a particular kind of relationship with your parents, where you get to express all parts of yourself with them,” Uzoukwu says. “Not all of us get to have that. That is a very profound thing, and I understood the power in that and how deeply emotional that might be for him. So I was very happy to dig a little deeper in that moment, and hopefully, the audience sees that.”
From Hustle to Hollywood
For Uzoukwu, "Clean Slate" is more than just a role—it’s a dream realized.
He’s been grinding in Los Angeles for over a decade, balancing odd jobs while auditioning, studying, and creating his own work. When the "Clean Slate" opportunity came, he was prepared.
“If you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready,” he says, echoing the well-known mantra that has guided him through years of persistence.
Now, with a breakout role in a show that champions love, understanding, and growth, he’s stepping into a new chapter.
“For all of us in the show, it’s about how we can approach people with kindness and empathy and with basic understanding,” Uzoukwu reflects. “It’s about common decency at the end of the day, and I’m just so honored to be on the show. It’s groundbreaking, and it’s necessary, especially in this environment now.”
Catch "Clean Slate" on Prime Video starting February 6.