The life and career of renowned actor and writer David Harewood OBE are explored in this immersive exhibition, culminating in the newly commissioned portrait by Ashley Karrell as part of Harewood’s Missing Portraits series.

The Missing Portraits series commissions portraits of people of African-Caribbean heritage who have connections to Harewood. Born in 1965 to parents from Barbados, David Harewood grew up in Birmingham and began his career as a film and stage actor in 1990. Also celebrated as a writer and ambassador for mental health awareness, the actor is descended from individuals who were enslaved on a Caribbean sugar plantation owned by the 2nd Earl of Harewood in the early 19th century. The new portrait is by Leeds-based photographer and film-maker Ashley Karrell.

Missing Portraits is part of Harewood’s Open History programme, which opens-up stories about our heritage and celebrates people of colour who have links to Harewood.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and our links to enslaved people here.

Content warning

The exhibition contains content relating to racism and mental ill health issues. 

Watch an interview between David Harewood and David Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood, on our YouTube Channel.

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Portrait image: Ashley Karrell