Idris Elba is really the man of the moment right now. He is cropping up in all sorts of film roles (see him in the Star Trek Beyond trailer here), he’s been touted as the next James Bond and he’s even done a load of DJing recently, as well as presenting car shows and launching a fashion range with Superdry, featuring some rather fetching hoodies. If you’re here in the UK, then you may also know him as the face of Sky TV and the voice behind some of the Vodafone adverts. You simply cannot escape him.
But what are some of his best roles? Let’s take a look.
Luther
Arguably his biggest role and the one that put him on the map, Luther really is Elba at his best. His cool, calm and charismatic demeanour is made all the more imposing when he loses his temper. The show can be uber violent at times, which really sets it apart from other BBC dramas, but it’s Elba’s performance that really puts the show onto another level. Without him, it would be any other BBC cop drama, but with slightly more edgier violence. Luther has recently returned to our TV screens here in the UK, and it’s great to have him back.
The Wire
For our American readers, this may be what Elba is most known for. He played the role of Russell “Stringer” Bell for 37 episodes between 2002 and 2004, and his presence was well-felt. So good and convincing in the role was Elba, that when Guillermo del Toro was approaching him for a role in Pacific Rim, he was surprised to learn he wasn’t actually American. Which worked out nicely as the role del Toro wanted to cast him in was British. Imagine being so good you can soak yourself into a role that you convince your audience you’re actually from another country. Looks like Hugh Laurie isn’t the only one.
Stacker Pentecost in Pacific Rim
Which brings us to Pacific Rim, and Elba’s rallying cry to cancel the Apocalypse. Pulling all of the brilliance of Bill Pullman’s speech from Independence Day, Elba’s rather over-zealous read of a hackneyed script really brought some smiles to the faces of its audience. There were those who thought it was a bit cheesy and silly, but there were those (like me) who loved it. In fact, while at a screening of the film, I witnessed a man stand up and shout “IDRIS” after he made his speech. Some people though Pacific Rim was a bit rubbish, but that guy clearly enjoyed it.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Really, what list would be complete without mentioning this film? It’s not easy to take on such an iconic figure in modern history, but Elba carries it perfectly. There have been those who buckled under the pressure, but Elba nailed it. Like Luthor, without Elba’s performance Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom could have been a bit rough around the edges, but he raises the bar of quality.
Want to look as cool as Elba? Here’s that Superdry fashion label I was talking about earlier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA7R5t0zc1E
Originally published December 24, 2015. Updated November 29, 2022.
