Idris Elba - wikipedia Idris Elba Idris Elba OBE Elba in October 2014 Idrissa Akuna Elba ( 1972 - 09 - 06 ) 6 September 1972 ( age 45 ) Hackney, London, England Residence Los Angeles, California New York City, New York London, England Other names Big Driis DJ Big Driis Big Driis the Londoner 7 Dub Occupation Actor, musician, producer, DJ, rapper Years active 1994 -- present Children Idrissa Akuna `` Idris '' Elba OBE ( / ˈɪdrɪs ˈɛlbə /, born 6 September 1972 ) is an English actor, producer, musician, and DJ. He is known for playing the narcotrafficker Stringer Bell in the HBO series The Wire, DCI John Luther on the BBC One series Luther, and Nelson Mandela in the biographical film Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom ( 2013 ). He has been nominated four times for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Miniseries or Television Film, winning one, and was nominated five times for a Primetime Emmy Award. Elba appeared in Ridley Scott 's American Gangster ( 2007 ), Takers ( 2010 ), Thor ( 2011 ), Prometheus ( 2012 ), Pacific Rim ( 2013 ), Thor : The Dark World ( 2013 ) and Beasts of No Nation ( 2015 ), for which he received BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor. In 2016, he voiced Chief Bogo in Zootopia, Shere Khan in The Jungle Book, Fluke in Finding Dory and played the role of Krall in Star Trek Beyond. He will make his directorial debut with an adaptation of the 1992 novel Yardie by Victor Headley. In addition to his acting work, Elba is a DJ under the moniker DJ Big Driis ( or Big Driis the Londoner ) and a hip hop and soul musician. In 2016, he was named in the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World. Contents 1 Early life 2 Acting career 2.1 Television 2.2 Film 3 Music career 4 Other work 5 Personal life 6 Awards and honours 7 Filmography 7.1 Film 7.2 Television 7.3 Video games 7.4 Music videos 8 Discography 9 Awards and nominations 10 References 11 External links Early life An only child, Idris Akuna Elba was born on 6 September 1972 in Hackney, London. His father, Winston, was a Sierra Leonean and worked in the Ford motor factory at Dagenham, and his mother, Eve, was a Ghanaian. Elba 's parents were married in Sierra Leone and later moved to London. Elba was brought up in Hackney and East Ham, and shortened his first name from Idrissa to `` Idris '' at school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting. He credits The Stage with giving him his first big break ; having seen an advertisement for a play in a newspaper, Elba auditioned and met his first agent while performing in the role. In 1986, he began helping an uncle with his wedding DJ business ; within a year, he had started his own DJ company with some of his friends. Elba left school in 1988, and won a place in the National Youth Music Theatre thanks to a £ 1,500 Prince 's Trust grant. His first acting role was in Crimewatch murder reconstructions. To support himself between roles in Crimewatch reconstructions, he worked in jobs such as tyre - fitting, cold call advertising sales, and working night shifts at Ford Dagenham. He was working in nightclubs, under the DJ nickname `` Big Driis '', aged nineteen, but began auditioning for television roles in his early twenties. Acting career Television In 1995, Elba landed his first significant role on a series called Bramwell, a medical drama set in 1890s England. He played a central character in an episode of Season 1, an African petty thief named Charlie Carter, who lost his ( white ) wife to childbirth and had to figure out how to support his newborn daughter. His first named role arrived earlier in 1995, when he was cast as a gigolo on the `` Sex '' episode of Absolutely Fabulous. Many supporting roles on British television followed, including series such as The Bill and The Ruth Rendell Mysteries. He joined the cast of the soap opera Family Affairs and went on to appear on the television serial Ultraviolet and later on Dangerfield. He decided to move to New York City soon after. He returned to England occasionally for a television role, such as a part in one of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries. In 2001, Elba played Achilles in a stage production of Troilus and Cressida in New York City. After a supporting turn on a 2001 episode of Law & Order, Elba landed a starring role on the 2002 HBO drama series The Wire. From 2002 to 2004, Elba portrayed Russell `` Stringer '' Bell in the series, perhaps his best - known role in the United States. In 2005, he portrayed Captain Augustin Muganza in Sometimes in April, an HBO film about the Rwandan Genocide. Elba appeared on the 2007 BET special Black Men : The Truth. He appeared as Charlie Gotso on The No. 1 Ladies ' Detective Agency, filmed in Botswana. The series premiered on 23 March 2008, Easter Sunday, on BBC One, receiving a high 6.3 million viewers and 27 % of the audience share. In January 2009, it was reported per Variety that Elba would portray Charles Miner, a new rival to Dunder Mifflin regional manager Michael Scott ( Steve Carell ) for NBC 's The Office. Elba appeared in a six - episode story arc later in the 2009 season as well as the season finale. In September 2009, he signed a deal to star as the lead role on the six - part BBC television series Luther, which aired in May 2010. He appeared on Showtime 's The Big C in 2010. At the 69th Golden Globe Awards telecast on 15 January 2012, Elba won the Award for Best Actor in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television for his role on the BBC crime thriller series Luther. Film Elba ( back row, centre ) with the cast of RocknRolla at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival In 2007, Elba signed on as the lead role of the film Daddy 's Little Girls, playing Monty, a blue - collar mechanic who falls in love with an attorney helping him gain custody of his kids, and finds the relationship and his custody hopes threatened by the return of his former wife. He appeared in 28 Weeks Later ( 2007 ) and This Christmas ( 2007 ), which brought in nearly $50 million at the box office in 2007. In 2008, he starred in the horror film Prom Night and the criminal comedy RocknRolla. In 2009, he starred in the horror film The Unborn and in Obsessed, a thriller that had him cast opposite Beyoncé. The latter was a box office success, taking $29 million in its opening weekend. Elba 's next film was Legacy ( 2010 ), in which he portrayed a black ops soldier who returns to Brooklyn after a failed mission in Eastern Europe, where he has undertaken a journey looking for retribution. He starred in Dark Castle 's adaptation of DC / Vertigo 's The Losers, under the direction of Sylvain White, in the role of Roque, the second - in - command of a black - ops team out for revenge against a government that did them wrong. Filming took place in Puerto Rico and the movie was released in April 2010. Elba appeared in the thriller Takers ( 2010 ). He played Heimdall in Kenneth Branagh 's film Thor ( 2011 ) ( based on the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name ). In August 2010, Elba signed up to portray the title character in a reboot of James Patterson 's Alex Cross film franchise. However, in February 2011, he was replaced by Tyler Perry. In Ghost Rider : Spirit of Vengeance ( 2012 ), the reboot to Ghost Rider ( 2007 ), Elba played an alcoholic warrior monk tasked with finding the title character. In February 2012, Elba confirmed that he would portray Nelson Mandela in the film Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom, which is based on his autobiography. As part of his preparation for the role, Elba spent a night locked in a cell alone on Robben Island, where Mandela had been imprisoned. His performance earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Motion Picture Drama. In June 2012, Elba portrayed Captain Janek in Ridley Scott 's Prometheus. He joined the cast of the film Pacific Rim ( 2013 ) in the role of Stacker Pentecost. In January 2014, he confirmed that he would be starring in a film adaptation of Luther. In 2014, he starred in No Good Deed as a vengeful psychopathic serial killer. In 2015, Elba appeared as Heimdall in the superhero blockbuster Avengers : Age of Ultron, directed by Joss Whedon. Elba also starred alongside Abraham Attah in the film Beasts of No Nation which premiered in select theaters and on Netflix. He earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture as well as a BAFTA Award nomination for Supporting Actor in the Film category. In 2016, he had several voice roles : the cape buffalo chief of police, Chief Bogo, in Disney 's Zootopia, alongside Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman ; villainous tiger Shere Khan in The Jungle Book, a live - action remake of the animated 1967 film of the same name ; and Pixar 's Finding Dory, alongside Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks, both reprising their roles from Finding Nemo ( 2003 ). Also that year, he played the main antagonist, Krall, in the sequel Star Trek Beyond. In 2017, he played Roland Deschain in the film adaptation The Dark Tower. Elba stars in Aaron Sorkin 's directorial debut film, Molly 's Game, alongside Jessica Chastain. Music career Elba at the American Music Awards in 2007 Elba has appeared in music videos for Fat Joe ( 2002 ), Angie Stone ( 2004 ) and rapper Giggs ( 2010 ). In 2006, he recorded the four - song EP Big Man for Hevlar Records. He co-produced and performed on the intro to Jay - Z 's album American Gangster ( 2007 ). He DJed at the 2007 NBA All Star parties at The Venetian and Ice House Lounge in Las Vegas. In July 2009, Elba was the DJ for BET 's current series Rising Icons. Elba announced the release of his first single `` Please Be True. '' In the August 2009 issue of Essence magazine, he announced the name of his six - song EP as Kings Among Kings. He released his EP High Class Problems Vol. 1 in the United Kingdom in February 2010, for which he has won many prizes including a Billboard Music Awards nomination. In 2011, he performed on the intro to Pharoahe Monch 's album W.A.R.. The following year, he co-directed and performed in the Mumford & Sons music video for `` Lover of the Light ''. In 2014, he produced K. Michelle 's `` The Rebellious Soul Musical '' which debuted on VH1 on 19 August 2014. In May, Elba featured on Mr Hudson 's single `` Step Into the Shadows ''. Mr Hudson also produced his album Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela, which was released in November 2014. He also featured on the remix of Ghanaian music group, VVIP 's single `` selfie '' together with Nigerian rapper Phyno released on 12 September 2014 and video released on YouTube on 11 April 2015. Elba performed a rap for the second album by Noel Fielding and Sergio Pizzorno 's band, the Loose Tapestries. Elba also rapped in a remix of Skepta 's `` Shutdown '' which was uploaded on 1 June 2015 to SoundCloud. On 17 August, a song was released on which Elba appeared on Nigerian singer D'banj 's single `` Confidential '', featuring Sierra Leonean rapper Shadow Boxer with the video uploaded to YouTube on 20 August. In November 2015, Elba opened for Madonna during her Rebel Heart Tour in Berlin, Germany. Elba is also featured on the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis album This Unruly Mess I 've Made ( 2016 ). Other work Elba with UK Member of Parliament Justine Greening at a meeting with diaspora representatives at the ' Defeating Ebola in Sierra Leone ' conference in London, October 2014 In October 2014, Elba presented the series Journey Dot Africa with Idris Elba on BBC Radio 2, exploring all types of African music. Elba has also featured in various television commercials for Sky box - sets in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Elba has collaborated with the UK Parliament in their efforts to eradicate Ebola from Eastern Africa, working alongside the UK Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening in 2014. Elba has created a collaboration with British fashion label Superdry, which launched at the end of November 2015. Elba hosted The Best FIFA Football Awards 2017 at the London Palladium on 23 October 2017. During the show he took a selfie of `` the best team in the world '' which included Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. Personal life The Prince 's Trust, a UK youth charity which Elba credits with helping to start his career, appointed him its Anti-crime Ambassador in April 2009. In July 2010, he announced his support for Oona King in her campaign to become the Labour Party candidate for Mayor of London in 2012. After dating since 2013, Elba 's girlfriend Naiyana Garth gave birth to their son Winston Elba in 2014. On religion, Elba states that he is `` spiritual but not religious '', clarifying : ``... I 'm not a religious man in that sense. I call myself a spiritual being, if you like. '' Elba is an avid fan of Premier League football club Arsenal F.C. As part of his Discovery Channel miniseries Idris Elba : No Limits, he broke the course record land speed `` Flying Mile '' for the Pendine Sands. Discovery Channel produced a second documentary, Idris Elba : Fighter, chronicling Elba 's 12 - month kickboxing and mixed martial arts training under Muay Thai coach Kieran Keddle, culminating in Elba 's first professional kickboxing fight -- and win -- against Lionel Graves, a younger, more experienced Dutch opponent, at London 's York Hall. Awards and Honours Elba was selected as one of People 's annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World in May 2007. He was named Essence 's annual 2013 Sexiest Man of the Year and was also ranked No. 2 in People 's annual Sexiest Man Alive in 2013. In October 2014, Elba was presented with a MOBO Inspiration Award. In 2015, he was named one of GQ magazine 's 50 best - dressed British men. Elba was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire ( OBE ) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to drama. Filmography Film Year Title Role Director Notes 1999 Belle maman Grégoire Gabriel Aghion 2000 Sorted Jam Alexander Jovy 2001 Buffalo Soldiers Kimborough Gregor Jordan 2003 One Love Aaron Rick Elgood Don Letts 2005 The Gospel Charles Frank Rob Hardy Sometimes in April Augustin Raoul Peck 2007 Daddy 's Little Girls Monty James Tyler Perry The Reaping Ben Stephen Hopkins 28 Weeks Later General Stone Juan Carlos Fresnadillo American Gangster Tango Ridley Scott This Christmas Quentin Whitfield Preston A. Whitmore II 2008 Prom Night Detective Winn Nelson McCormick RocknRolla Mumbles Guy Ritchie The Human Contract Larry Jada Pinkett Smith 2009 The Unborn Arthur Wyndham David S. Goyer Obsessed Derek Charles Steve Shill Legacy Malcolm Gray Thomas Ikimi Executive producer The Losers Roque Sylvain White Takers Gordon Cozier John Luessenhop 2011 Thor Heimdall Kenneth Branagh 2012 Ghost Rider : Spirit of Vengeance Moreau Neveldine / Taylor Prometheus Captain Janek Ridley Scott 2013 Pacific Rim Stacker Pentecost Guillermo del Toro Thor : The Dark World Heimdall Alan Taylor Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom Nelson Mandela Justin Chadwick 2014 No Good Deed Colin Evans Sam Miller Executive producer Second Coming Mark Debbie Tucker Green 2015 The Gunman DuPont Pierre Morel Avengers : Age of Ultron Heimdall Joss Whedon Beasts of No Nation Commandant Cary Joji Fukunaga 2016 Zootopia Chief Bogo ( voice ) Byron Howard Rich Moore The Jungle Book Shere Khan ( voice ) Jon Favreau Bastille Day Sean Briar James Watkins Finding Dory Fluke ( voice ) Andrew Stanton 100 Streets Max Jim O'Hanlon Star Trek Beyond Krall / Balthazar Edison Justin Lin 2017 The Dark Tower Roland Deschain Nikolaj Arcel Molly 's Game Charlie Jaffey Aaron Sorkin The Mountain Between Us Dr. Ben Bass Hany Abu - Assad Thor : Ragnarok Heimdall Taika Waititi Television Year Title Role Notes 1994 2point4 Children Parachute Instructor Episode : `` Fortuosity '' 1994 Space Precinct Pizza Delivery Man Episode : `` Double Duty '' 1994 -- 1995 The Bill Earl Lee / Alex Mason 2 episodes 1995 Absolutely Fabulous Hilton Episode : `` Sex '' 1995 Bramwell Hilton Episode : `` The Outcast 's Baby '' The Governor Officer Chiswick 6 episodes Crocodile Shoes II Jo - Jo Episode : `` Troubled Man '' The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Raffy / Pest Controller 4 episodes 1997 Family Affairs Tim Webster 7 episodes 1997 Silent Witness Charlie Episode : `` Blood, Sweat & Tears '' 1998 Ultraviolet Vaughan Rice 6 episodes 1999 Dangerfield Matt Gregory 12 episodes 2000 In Defence PC Paul Fraser 1 episode 2001 London 's Burning L / Cpl Richard Frost ( Soldier ) 2 episodes 2001 Law & Order Lonnie Liston Episode : `` 3 Dawg Night '' 2002 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Robert Gabriel Episode : `` Payment in Blood '' 2002 Hack Mac Boone Episode : `` My Alibi '' 2002 -- 2004 The Wire Russell `` Stringer '' Bell 37 episodes 2003 CSI : Miami Angelo Sedaris Episode : `` The Best Defense '' 2003 Queens Supreme Carla Episode : `` Mad About You '' 2003 Soul Food Smitty Episode : `` Sacrifice Fly '' 2005 Girlfriends Paul Episode : `` All in a Panic '' 2005 Sometimes in April Augustin Muganza Television film 2005 Jonny Zero Hodge Episode : `` To Serve and to Protect '' 2006 All in the Game Paul Television film 2008 The No. 1 Ladies ' Detective Agency Charles Gotso Episode : `` The No. 1 Ladies ' Detective Agency '' 2009 The Office Charles Miner 7 episodes The Big C Lenny 4 episodes Walk Like a Panther Executive producer 2010 -- present Luther DCI John Luther 16 episodes ; also associate producer 2011 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Police Officer ( voice ) Episode : `` Intervention '' 2011 How Hip Hop Changed the World Executive producer 2011 Demons Never Die Executive producer 2012 Idris Elba 's How Clubbing Changed the World Himself Host 2013 Idris Elba : King of Speed Himself Host 2013, 2015 Playhouse Presents Akuna 's Father / Narrator Wrote and directed episode : `` The Pavement Psychologist '' 2015 Idris Elba : No Limits Himself Host 2017 Guerrilla Kentoro `` Kent '' Abbasi 6 episodes ; also executive producer 2017 Idris Elba : Fighter Himself Host ; also executive producer 2017 FIFA - The best awards 2017 Himself Host Video games Year Title Role Notes 2011 Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 3 SFC `` Truck '' 2014 FIFA 15 Voice in E3 Trailer 2016 Tom Clancy 's Rainbow Six : Siege Televised Advertisements Music videos Year Artist Title Role Notes 2012 Mumford and Sons `` Lover of the Light '' Blind Man Co-director, producer Giggs `` Hustle On '' Driver Producer 2016 Macklemore `` Dance Off '' Himself Featuring Artist Discography Albums 2015 : Murdah Loves John ( The John Luther Character Album ) EPs 2006 : Big Man 2009 : Kings Among Kings 2010 : High Class Problems Vol. 1 2014 : Idris Elba Presents Mi Mandela Mixtapes 2011 : Merry DriisMas Holiday Mixtape Awards and nominations Year Work Award Result 2005 The Gospel Black Reel Award for Best Actor Nominated Sometimes in April Black Reel Award for Best Actor : T.V. Movie / Cable Nominated NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Nominated 2007 Daddy 's Little Girls BET Award for Best Actor Nominated American Gangster Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated 2008 This Christmas, American Gangster and 28 Weeks Later BET Award for Best Actor Nominated 2009 RocknRolla and The Unborn Nominated Obsessed NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated The Losers BET Award for Best Actor Won Takers Black Reel Award for Best Ensemble Nominated Luther Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Miniseries or Television Film Nominated 2011 Takers NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated Takers and Luther BET Award for Best Actor Won Luther NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Won The Big C Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated Luther Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Miniseries or Television Film Won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated Satellite Award for Best Actor - Miniseries or Television Film Nominated 2012 Black Reel Award for Best Actor : T.V. Movie / Cable Won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated Thor, Ghost Rider : Spirit of Vengeance and Luther BET Award for Best Actor Nominated 2014 Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Motion Picture Drama Nominated Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom and Thor : The Dark World BET Award for Best Actor Nominated Luther Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Miniseries or Television Film Nominated NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated 2015 Luther and No Good Deed BET Award for Best Actor Nominated Beasts of No Nation Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Won Awards Circuit Community Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor -- Motion Picture Nominated Indiana Film Journalists Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male Won Kermode Award for Best Actor Won Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Won Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated Luther Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Miniseries or Television Film Nominated Critics ' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie / Miniseries Won Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Won 2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated 2017 The Jungle Book Outstanding Character Voice - Over Performance Won Black Reel Award for Outstanding Voice Performance Won Zootopia Black Reel Award for Outstanding Voice Performance Nominated Finding Dory Black Reel Award for Outstanding Voice Performance Nominated Star Trek Beyond Kids ' Choice Award for Favorite Villain Nominated References Jump up ^ Yuan, Jada ( 8 June 2012 ). `` Idris Elba on Prometheus, Learning to Box, and His Party House ''. vulture.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013. ^ Jump up to : Addley, Esther ( 20 March 2008 ). `` He often has fewer lines than anyone else but you still feel as though he has the bigger part, because he is luminous ''. The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2013. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba Interview : The Hustler ''. Esquire. Retrieved 18 April 2016 Jump up ^ Lisa Respers France, `` Idris Elba ' too street ' to play James Bond, writer says '', CNN, 2 September 2015. Jump up ^ `` The Wire Cast and Crew : Idris Elba, Russell `` Stringer '' Bell ``. HBO.com. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ Lowry, Brian ( 10 July 2014 ). `` Emmy Nominations 2014 -- Full List : 66th Primetime Emmys Nominees ''. Variety. Retrieved 28 January 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Wire actor Elba joins BBC drama ''. BBC News. 4 September 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2009. Jump up ^ Cabin, Chris ( 5 July 2016 ). `` Idris Elba Set to Make Directorial Debut With Yardie ''. Collider.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016. Jump up ^ Canada, Danielle ( 13 September 2011 ). `` Idris Elba ( Driis ) Releases New Music Video `` Secret Garden '' ``. hiphopwired.com. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba by David Simon : TIME 100 ''. TIME.com. Retrieved 27 April 2016. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba : Singer, Actor ( 1972 -- ) ''. Biography.com ( FYI / A&E Networks ). Retrieved August 2, 2017. Idrissa Akuna Elba was born on September 6, 1972, in the Hackney section of East London, England. An only child of Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian descent, Elba eventually attended the National Youth Music Theatre 's training programs. ^ Jump up to : Fitzherbert, Henry ( 24 May 2012 ). `` Idris Elba : Obama loves him and now he 's playing Mandela ''. Daily Express. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ Sawyer, Miranda ( 24 January 2010 ). `` Idris Elba : life after ' Stringer ' Bell ''. The Observer. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ Jeffries, Stuart ( 9 May 2009 ). `` The Midas Touch ''. The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 July 2009. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba : Big Questions ''. BAFTA Guru. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2015. Jump up ^ Wilde, Jon ( 24 April 2010 ). `` ' I 've been called the black George Clooney - they do n't call Daniel Craig the blond Will Smith ' : Idris Elba speaks out ''. Mail Online. Retrieved 4 December 2015. Jump up ^ Ayres, Chris ( 23 August 2008 ). `` Life as a RocknRolla : meet the crafty Cockney Idris Elba ''. The Times. London. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba - Biography ''. Yahoo ! Movies. Retrieved 17 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba ''. askmen.com. Retrieved 17 July 2013. ^ Jump up to : Thomas, Archie ( 25 March 2008 ). `` ' Detective Agency ' finds big auds ''. Variety. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ Plunkett, John ( 25 March 2008 ). `` Minghella 's last film watched by 6.3 m ''. The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 April 2009. ^ Jump up to : `` Idris Elba Is New Alex Cross in Relaunched James Patterson Film Franchise ''. Deadline. Retrieved 19 August 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Idris Elba and Columbus Short Interview, This Christmas ''. Moviesonline.ca. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ `` This Christmas ''. Thenumbers.com. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba And Beyonce To Play Married Couple In ' Obsessed ' ''. Blackvoices.com. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ `` Weekend Report : Moviegoers Fixate on ' Obsessed ' ''. Boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 26 April 2009. ^ Jump up to : `` Idris Elba gets his kit off on set ''. UKPA. 8 July 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009. Jump up ^ Josh Wigler ( 2 April 2009 ). `` Idris Elba Confirmed For ' The Losers, ' Zoe Saldana Playing Aisha ''. MTV. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ `` '' The Losers '' Commences Production for Dark Castle Entertainment ``. Business Wire. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba joins Marvel Studios ' ' Thor ' ''. The Hollywood Reporter. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2009. Jump up ^ Bierly, Mandi ( 1 February 2011 ). `` Tyler Perry in, Idris Elba out of Alex Cross reboot : Producer explains why -- EXCLUSIVE ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 18 September 2011. Jump up ^ Kit, Boris ( 5 October 2010 ). `` Idris Elba, Johnny Whitworth gear up for ' Ghost Rider 2 ' ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 October 2010. Jump up ^ Jefferson, Lucette ( 22 February 2012 ). `` Confirmed ! Idris Elba set to play Nelson Mandela in Biopic ''. Huffington Post. Retrieved 23 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba Describes Chilling Night In Nelson Mandela 's Prison ( VIDEO ) ''. Huffington Post. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Motion Picture Drama Jump up ^ `` Prometheus video teases more from Idris Elba 's Captain Janek ''. ifc.com. September 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2016. Jump up ^ `` It 's Official ! Idris Elba Will Star in Guillermo del Toro 's `` Pacific Rim '' ( Black Superhero Next ? ) ``. Blogs.indiewire.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011. Jump up ^ `` Mandela actor Idris Elba confirms Luther film ''. The Mirror. 3 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` ' The Dark Tower ' rises : Stephen King confirms stars Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey ''. Jump up ^ Fat Joe -- All I Need on YouTube Jump up ^ Angie Stone -- I Wanna Thank Ya on YouTube Jump up ^ Giggs -- Hustle on official video on YouTube Jump up ^ `` He often has fewer lines than anyone else but you still feel as though he has the bigger part, because he is luminous ''. Movietome.com. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ McMurtrie, John ( 11 February 2007 ). `` Ties to ' Wire ' cut -- but new work calls ''. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ `` Keri Hilson, The Dream and Idris Elba party with BET ''. S2Smagazine.com. 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2009. Jump up ^ Morris, Davina ( 5 July 2009 ). `` Man of many talents -- Actor Idris Elba returns to his first love, music, with the release of his new single ''. Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 16 August 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009. Jump up ^ Amber, Jeannine ( 13 July 2009 ). `` ESSENCE August Issue : Sexy Talk With Idris Elba ''. Essence. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2009. Jump up ^ `` High Class Problems - Available Today ! ! ! ''. driis. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2011. Jump up ^ `` Mumford & Sons Only ' Think ' They Understand ' Lover Of The Light ' Video ''. Jump up ^ `` K. Michelle To Star In Idris Elba Directed Musical ''. The Urban Daily. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba Presents Mi Mandela : album stream ''. Jump up ^ Andy Gill, `` Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela, album review : A marvellous alliance of ancient and modern styles '', The Independent, 21 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` Kasabian 's Serge Pizzorno and comedian Noel Fielding tease ' Wu - Tang Clan ' live shows ''. Retrieved 15 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba Raps About His ' Wire ' Character in Skepta 's ' Shutdown ' Remix ''. Billboard. 27 October 2017. Jump up ^ `` Journey Dot Africa with Idris Elba ''. BBC Radio 2. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba 's new Sky advert : why ca n't he wink ? ''. Guardian. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2015. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba 's collaboration with Superdry puts the `` luxe '' in `` sports luxe '' ``. GQ. Retrieved 5 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` The Best selfie : Idris Elba revels as host of Fifa Awards show ''. The Telegraph. 27 October 2017. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba Becomes Anti Crime Ambassador ''. Looktothestars.com. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ `` Oona King can tackle violence, says The Wire star Idris Elba ''. Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 25 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2003. Jump up ^ `` Idris Elba ' splits with long - term girlfriend Naiyana Garth ''. The Telegraph. Jump up ^ Webber, Stephanie ( 18 April 2014 ). `` Idris Elba Welcomes Baby Boy Winston With Naiyana Garth : First Picture ''. Us Weekly. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` The Reaping : Idris Elba Q&A ''. cinema.com. 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ Topel, Fred ( 30 November 1999 ). `` Idris Elba : International Man ''. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Arsenal fan Idris Elba : I would be physically sick if Tottenham won the Premier League title ''. London Evening standard. 27 October 2017. Jump up ^ `` Actor Idris Elba Breaks Historic ' Flying Mile ' Record in Bentley '', Bentley, 7 May 2015 Archived 9 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Vincent, Alice ( 24 August 2016 ). `` Idris Elba is becoming a kickboxer, and there 's a documentary to prove it ''. The Telegraph. The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 February 2017. Jump up ^ Kurchak, Sarah ( 2 September 2016 ). `` An Interview With Idris Elba 's Kickboxing Coach ''. Vice Fightland. Vice. Retrieved 12 February 2017. Jump up ^ Ibarrola, Khristian ( 3 November 2016 ). `` WATCH : Actor Idris Elba wins kickboxing match at age 44 ''. Inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 12 February 2017. Jump up ^ Corcoran, Rachel ( 12 January 2017 ). `` Idris Elba on new kickboxing role : When I fought I 'd hear my mum saying ' Do n't let him kick you in the head ' ''. Mirror.co.uk. Mirror. Retrieved 19 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` People Magazine 's ' Most Beautiful People ' issue '' ( PDF ). CBS News. Retrieved 11 April 2009. Jump up ^ Penn, Charli ( 2013 ). `` ESSENCE 's 2013 Sexiest Man of the Year : 50 Reasons to Love Idris Elba ''. Essence.com. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Sexiest Man Alive 2013 : Adam Levine, David Beckham, Brad Pitt, Idris Elba ''. People.com. 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Mobo Awards 2014 : Idris Elba receives inspiration award ''. The Daily Telegraph. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2015. Jump up ^ Robert Johnston ( 5 January 2015 ). `` 50 Best Dressed Men in Britain 2015 ''. GQ. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` No. 61450 ''. The London Gazette ( Supplement ). 30 December 2015. p. N12. Jump up ^ Mendick, Robert ; Swinford, Steven ( 31 December 2015 ). `` New Year 's Honours : Idris Elba, Barbara Windsor, Damon Albarn and Ronnie O'Sullivan named in 2016 lis ''. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 December 2015. External links Wikiquote has quotations related to : Idris Elba Wikimedia Commons has media related to Idris Elba. Official website Idris Elba + Superdry Idris Elba on IMDb Idris Elba at the TCM Movie Database Idris Elba at AllMovie Kate Hutchinson, `` Idris Elba : ' As an actor I 'm always reading someone else 's thoughts. What about my own thoughts ? ' '', The Guardian, 5 December 2015 Awards for Idris Elba BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards Excellence in Film Albert R. 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Question: who did idris elba play in the wire
Answer: Stringer Bell