Idris Elba

Idris Elba

Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba (born 6 September 1972) is an English television, theatre, and film actor who has starred in both British and American productions. He grew up in Canning Town, East London. One of his first acting roles was in the soap opera Family Affairs. He has worked in a variety of TV roles including Ultraviolet and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. He is known for playing Russell "Stringer" Bell, a Baltimore drug lord and aspiring businessman, in HBO's critically acclaimed show The Wire. Elba is a DJ under the moniker DJ Big Driis/Big Driis the Londoner, and a hip-hop soul recording artist.

Some of his other most known roles have come in American Gangster, Takers, The Losers, Thor and Prometheus.

On television, Elba has had recurring roles in The Office and The Big C, and plays the title role of Detective John Luther in Luther, which aired on BBC One. Elba has won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of DCI Luther.