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From 'The Wire' To 'Luther' And (Nearly) James Bond: Happy Birthday Idris Elba

From 'The Wire' To 'Luther' And (Nearly) James Bond: Happy Birthday Idris Elba

Elba turns 46 today and he's basically already accomplished more than the rest of us put together.

Simon Binns

Simon Binns

Despite the fact he seems to be really good at everything, it's hard to dislike Idris Elba.

The London-born actor turns 46 today and although it looks like he probably won't be the next James Bond, fans won't have to wait too long to see him back on screen as he gets ready to reprise the role of troubled detective John Luther for the BBC.

It was the role of Stringer Bell that brought him to the attention of UK audiences and critics though, as slow burner hit The Wire became THE must-watch box set. So convincing was he was as the Baltimore drug runner that many thought he was American.

But he's all ours.

Elba based himself in New York though and after grabbing the attention of virtually every casting director in America, another decent TV role soon followed The Wire, as he bagged himself a six episode stint in the US version of The Office in 2009.

A year later though, Elba was cast as Luther - the moody BBC detective drama that sent his UK profile into orbit and probably drove a massive increase in sales of long dark coats that swish about dramatically when you leave the pub/office/kebab shop. It also bagged him a Golden Globe in 2012.

Big screen roles followed, most notably as the lead in Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom, Captain Janek in Ridley Scott's Prometheus and In 2015, Elba appeared as Thor's trusted lookout Heimdall in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

He was killed off in the first few minutes of Infinity War, but you can't have it all I suppose.

He'll have taken comfort from the fact hat his own film, Yardie, opened in cinemas earlier this month.

He doesn't just do acting though. As a DJ he's played a raft of music festivals and he's also worked with Jay-Z, Giggs and Angie Stone.

Idris Elba in Luther.
BBC

What else? Well, there was that time he got himself absolutely UFC ripped in Sky's Fighter, where he had a shot at being a kickboxer and showed himself to be fairly nails as it happens.

He's also worked with the UN to try and help tackle Ebola in Sierra Leone. Oh, and he presented the FIFA Football Awards in 2017 and hung out with Neymar and co.

Which is just showing off frankly.

Add to that his triumphant Rear of the Year 2017 win and the fact that pretty much any female you mention his name to starts swooning, you do wonder why other blokes actually bother.

He's talented, cool and likable though - a tricky combo to pull off.

PA

So what exactly does Idris Elba put in his passport? Actor, producer, director, musician, DJ, activist...arse champion?

Maybe just 'DUDE'.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Idris. Bond might not be happening - but Luther definitely is. And John would probably batter James anyway.


Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: idris elba, Celebrity, Luther, UK Entertainment