Idris Elba: An Incredible Talent who is much more than just a ‘Black Actor’

One of the most prolific actors of our time, Idris Elba is coming to our nearest screen and in Netflix with his new movie – ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’. In a promotional interview with ‘Esquire’, published on Wednesday, he opened up about being in America and in Hollywood, his roots, his aspirations and being into acting profession.  

Idris Elba on being in America and Hollywood

Idris Elba fondly remember America as a ‘pilgrimage’ – a shining place where anyone can fulfill his or her dream. He loved American culture, music, TV, and even magazines. Even at the age of 17-18, he felt that he can do big in here as the culture was appreciative of anything which is new and fresh. But he did not want to start any revolution or anything of that sort. He just wanted to live in another place which appreciate his art and talent. For him it was a ‘dream’ as anyone could start from scratch and rise into stardom.

Idris Elba has appreciated America as a place in which he honed his acting skills and learned its technicality. He fondly remembered how he worked his way up to get noticed by the directors and casting people. Having been already successful in UK, has helped him a lot. He remembered how he mingled with his co-actors who would be just another person from Pennsylvania or New York.

According to Idris Elba, in America the sky is the limit. Unlike in UK, where actor has to follow a certain cultural trope, in America one is not required to do something rudimentary. Rater an actor can follow his own style and methods and still can get noticed in Hollywood. He found a certain rhythm in the workings of he Hollywood and America which enhances people’s thought process.

Acting as a Profession

For him, acting is a profession which he chose, not to prove anything to anyone, but to enjoy a career in which he thought he could do a ‘good job’. In his own words – “I didn’t become an actor because I didn’t see Black people doing it and I wanted to change that. I did it because I thought that’s a great profession and I could do a good job at it.”

According to him, being a black actor is just like being an actor, a fact that has nothing to do with skin color. He thought that human’s obsession with skin color is one of the factors which are holding the humanity back. “It’s just skin” – as he put it eloquently.

Idris Elba talked about some of his iconic roles. Even though he played Stringer Bell in the T.V. series ‘The Wire’, he did not want to end up like him. He thought that Russell ‘Stringer’ Bell was a smart character who had certain intelligence about him and it got him lot of success and popularity. But he also feared the fact that Stringer ended up losing everything due to his desire to get more and to not let go of things.

Idris Elba actually revered the character of John Luther. He felt a connection with the character. According to him, Luther is simple person who does what he believes in. He does not overthink about something and does what is right, even if it gets him into trouble. Idris loves the writing of the of the new movie which is coming to nearest theaters and to the Netflix.

The character which gave him nightmare was that of Nelson Mandela. When he was first offered the role of the legendary leader, he thought it was a joke. He even thought that someone like Denzel Washington could have played Mandela better.

Racism

Idris Elba believes that the racism is very much real. But it can change if people start seeing the similarities they have with each other. Our skin colors may be different, but we all have same dreams and aspirations. We all feel happiness and sadness the same way. Underneath the skin and its color, we all are same. He believes we need to forget about our differences and stop talking about it. He emphasized that by not thinking or talking about racism, we would weaken the menace.

He recalled that he himself has faced it a lot. But he also believed that peril of racism would only become powerful if we allow it to. He is proud to be a member of black community but he is a British national first as he himself pointed out –   “Of course, I’m a member of the Black community. You say a prominent one. But when I go to America, I’m a prominent member of the British community.”  

Roots

Idris Elba is eternally grateful and proud for his African roots. His father was from Sierra Leone, his mother was from Ghana. He came to UK as an immigrant and amalgamate the good of both the worlds. He worked his way from the scratch and now he is one of the leading men in Hollywood.

But even with all the success, he did not forget about his roots as he fondly remembered the tribe he came from – Temne Tribe. He also fondly remembered Sierra Leone as it defined his core values which helped him to be what he is today. He ardently recalled – “It’s very Sierra Leonean to be polite and courteous. It’s given me principles, guidelines, to some degree, manners. Work hard — that definitely comes from my West African roots.”

He is also attached to his mother’s tribe – Ga. He recalled that even though his mother came to Sierra Leone when she was only 12, she still was connected to her tribe. Idris Elba also got the same connection. He visited his mother’s birthplace many times and it defined his perspective about himself and about life.

All in all, Idris Elba is more than just a ‘black actor’. He is a true ‘legend’ who is the amalgamation of everything that is good about Africa and West.  

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