English actor Idris Elba say he’s planning to move to Africa to be a part of a growing film industry that includes studios he’s involved with in Tanzania and his mother’s homeland of Ghana.
“It’s going to happen,” the 52-year-old star of “The Wire” told the BBC. “I think in the next five [to]10 years, God willing.”
According to Elba, supporting Africa’s film industry isn’t something he can do remotely. But he doesn’t plan to settle down in one particular country.
“I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories,” the Emmy-nominated actor said. “That’s really important.”
Elba’s many memorable roles include his 2013 portrayal of South African President Nelson Mandela in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” He also starred in the 2015 war flick “Beasts of No Nation,” which took place in Ghana.
Elba sees untapped potential in places like the Ghanaian capital of Accra, which aren’t as often seen on the big screen as commonly filmed cities like New York and Los Angeles. According to the actor, moviegoers who only see Africa depicted as a war-torn land of trauma and despair aren’t seeing the whole picture.
“When you come to Africa, you will realize that it’s not true,” said Elba, whose dad is from Sierra Leone.
The London native is perhaps best known to American audiences as measured and ambitious drug kingpin Russell “Stringer” Bell from HBO’s “The Wire.” He’s also starred as Heimdall in the “Thor” franchise, and gained critical acclaim for his work in the title role of the BBC crime drama “Luther.”
Despite making it clear that playing James Bond is “not a goal,” Elba’s name frequently pops up when rumors arise that the franchise is looking for a new leading man.
He’s also a rapper, DJ and record producer, known in the music world as DJ Big Driis. He opened for Madonna in 2015 when she performed as part of her Rebel Heart Tour in Berlin. He’s been featured on albums from rappers including Jay-Z and Macklemore, and has collaborated with artists from Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
