--- name: "Idris Elba" canonical: "https://film.one/person/idris-elba" fi1m_id: "idris-elba" imdb_id: "nm0252961" tmdb_id: 17605 wikidata_id: "Q342604" roles: ["Actor","Producer"] born: "6 September 1972" reviewed_on_fi1m: 28 average_fi1m_score: 67 average_as: "actor" average_over: 28 updated: "2026-10-23T04:07:29.322630+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Idris Elba ## Identity Idris Elba - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/idris-elba - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** idris-elba - **IMDb ID:** nm0252961 - **TMDB ID:** 17605 - **Wikidata ID:** Q342604 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idris_Elba, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q342604, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252961/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17605 Actor and producer. Born 6 September 1972 in Hackney, London, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Producer - **Born:** 6 September 1972, Hackney, London, England, UK - **Active:** 2002–present - **Also known as:** Idrissa Akuna Elba , Sir Idris Elba, Sir Idrissa Akuna Elba - **Frequently works with:** [Chris Hemsworth](https://film.one/person/chris-hemsworth.md), [Kevin Feige](https://film.one/person/kevin-feige.md), [Natalie Portman](https://film.one/person/natalie-portman.md), [Tom Hiddleston](https://film.one/person/tom-hiddleston.md), [Anthony Hopkins](https://film.one/person/anthony-hopkins.md), [Ben Schwartz](https://film.one/person/ben-schwartz.md), [Byron Howard](https://film.one/person/byron-howard.md), [Christopher Lee Yost](https://film.one/person/christopher-l-yost.md) - **BAFTA Television Awards:** 1 BAFTA nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 67, as actor, over 28 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 80 (3), 2010s 67 (18), 2020s 63 (7) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 67 to 66 across 28 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 20 at 60–79, 6 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 7 of 25 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Adventure 13, Action 12, Comedy 9, Drama 9, Science Fiction 9, Family 6 - **Screen time:** 49 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $14,233m across 23 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idris_Elba, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q342604, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252961/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17605 ## Coming up - *Above the Below* (2026-12-03), Jackson - *Children of Blood and Bone* (2027-01-13), as Lekan - *Sonic the Hedgehog 4* (2027-03-11), as Knuckles (voice) - *High in the Clouds* (2027-10-07), as Barrel (voice) ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Zootopia*](https://film.one/film/zootopia.md) (82), [*Thor: Ragnarok*](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md) (74), [*The Jungle Book*](https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016.md) (72), [*Zootopia 2*](https://film.one/film/zootopia-2.md) (70) - **Netflix:** [*A House of Dynamite*](https://film.one/film/a-house-of-dynamite.md) (73), [*Beasts of No Nation*](https://film.one/film/beasts-of-no-nation.md) (72) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*28 Weeks Later*](https://film.one/film/28-weeks-later.md) (72), [*Second Coming*](https://film.one/film/second-coming.md) (71) - **Apple TV:** [*Molly's Game*](https://film.one/film/mollys-game.md) (70), [*Star Trek Beyond*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond.md) (70) - **HBO Max:** [*The Wire*](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md) (90) - **AMC+:** [*Luther*](https://film.one/tv/luther.md) (72) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Idris Elba > Idris Elba makes authority look like something a person has to maintain, especially when the decisions are ugly. We rate him most highly when a script tests that composure; too many parts simply borrow it. Elba’s Stringer Bell in *The Wire* (2002) makes a criminal calculation seem worth listening to. Alongside Wood Harris’s Avon Barksdale, he gives the drug trade the same serious attention the programme gives the police. We were unsettled by how readily we followed Stringer’s reasoning; Elba lets us understand his decisions without inviting us to approve of them. Stringer remains interesting even after we have understood what he tells us about Baltimore. We rate Elba most highly here, where the writing gives him something difficult to think through. As DCI John Luther in *Luther* (2010–2019), he had the sustained demands of a leading role. Then *Thor* (2011), with Elba as Heimdall, began a run of major Hollywood supporting and voice work. The attraction is plain: he can supply an ensemble with authority before the script has done much to establish it. There was still room for the Commandant in *Beasts of No Nation* (2015), an authority figure whose charisma makes his ruthlessness more disturbing. But the larger productions have too often asked for his reassuring presence and stopped there. Kathryn Bigelow’s *A House of Dynamite* (2025) gives him more to work with, even though the role mostly asks him to listen. As the President, he has to consider a question with no decent answer, and Elba makes him seem painfully aware of that. The performance is good because he takes the responsibility seriously without making a display of it. The film’s repeated eighteen-minute structure costs it tension, but his restraint keeps our attention on the man being asked to decide. The limits are clearer in Travis Knight’s *Masters of the Universe* (2026), where Duncan is the dependable adult in a film whose joking wears thin. Elba steadies it, but there is little sense that the part requires him to discover anything. His Chief Bogo in *Zootopia 2* (2025) is reduced to the familiar glower, with nothing new asked of the returning character. Neither appearance gives us much reason to revise what we already know he can do. Try *The Wire* before deciding that he is merely the sensible man sent in to steady a crowded film. ## Biography Idris Elba, also credited as Idrissa Akuna Elba, is an English actor, DJ, rapper and producer. He was born on 6 September 1972 in Hackney, London. He rose to prominence playing Tim in the soap opera *Family Affairs* and Stringer Bell in the HBO series *The Wire* (2002–2004). He later starred as DCI John Luther in the BBC series *Luther* (2010–2019). His film credits include Janek in *Prometheus* (2012), Stacker Pentecost in *Pacific Rim* (2013), Heimdall in the *Thor* films, Chief Bogo in *Zootopia* (2016), Macavity in *Cats* (2019), Knuckles in *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* (2024), and Duncan in *Masters of the Universe* (2026). He has also appeared in *A House of Dynamite* (2025) and is set to voice Chief Bogo in *Zootopia 2* (2025). Elba has received a Golden Globe Award and nominations for BAFTA and Primetime Emmy Awards. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (28) - *Masters of the Universe* (2026), Fi1m 58, as Duncan — [page](https://film.one/film/masters-of-the-universe.md) - *A House of Dynamite* (2025), Fi1m 73, as POTUS — [page](https://film.one/film/a-house-of-dynamite.md) - *Zootopia 2* (2025), Fi1m 70, as Chief Bogo (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/zootopia-2.md) - *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* (2024), Fi1m 61, as Knuckles (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/sonic-the-hedgehog-3.md) - *Hijack* (2023), Fi1m 66, as Sam Nelson — [page](https://film.one/tv/hijack.md) - *Sonic the Hedgehog 2* (2022), Fi1m 58, as Knuckles (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/sonic-the-hedgehog-2.md) - *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022), Fi1m 55, as Heimdall — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md) - *Cats* (2019), Fi1m 38, as Macavity — [page](https://film.one/film/cats.md) - *Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw* (2019), Fi1m 65, as Brixton — [page](https://film.one/film/fast-and-furious-presents-hobbs-and-shaw.md) - *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), Fi1m 77, as Heimdall — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md) - *Molly's Game* (2017), Fi1m 70, as Charlie Jaffey — [page](https://film.one/film/mollys-game.md) - *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Heimdall — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md) - *Finding Dory* (2016), Fi1m 68, as Fluke (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-dory.md) - *Star Trek Beyond* (2016), Fi1m 70, as Krall — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond.md) - *The Jungle Book* (2016), Fi1m 72, as Shere Khan (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016.md) - *Zootopia* (2016), Fi1m 82, as Chief Bogo (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/zootopia.md) - *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), Fi1m 63, as Heimdall — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md) - *Beasts of No Nation* (2015), Fi1m 72, as Commandant — [page](https://film.one/film/beasts-of-no-nation.md) - *Second Coming* (2014), Fi1m 71, as Mark — [page](https://film.one/film/second-coming.md) - *Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom* (2013), Fi1m 58, as Nelson Mandela — [page](https://film.one/film/mandela-long-walk-to-freedom.md) - *Pacific Rim* (2013), Fi1m 70, as Stacker Pentecost — [page](https://film.one/film/pacific-rim.md) - *Thor: The Dark World* (2013), Fi1m 58, as Heimdall — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-the-dark-world.md) - *Prometheus* (2012), Fi1m 60, as Janek — [page](https://film.one/film/prometheus.md) - *Thor* (2011), Fi1m 66, as Heimdall — [page](https://film.one/film/thor.md) - *Luther* (2010), Fi1m 72, as John Luther — [page](https://film.one/tv/luther.md) - *28 Weeks Later* (2007), Fi1m 72, as General Stone — [page](https://film.one/film/28-weeks-later.md) - *The Office* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Charles Miner — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md) - *The Wire* (2002), Fi1m 90, as Stringer Bell — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md) ## Complete filmography (126) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *High in the Clouds* (2027), as Barrel (voice) - *Sonic the Hedgehog 4* (2027), as Knuckles (voice) - *Children of Blood and Bone* (2027), as Lekan - *Above the Below* (2026), as Jackson · Director - *Masters of the Universe* (2026), as Duncan — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/masters-of-the-universe.md) - *How To Hide It* (2026), Executive Producer - *Zootopia 2* (2025), as Chief Bogo (voice) — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/zootopia-2.md) - *A House of Dynamite* (2025), as POTUS — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/a-house-of-dynamite.md) - *Dust to Dreams* (2025), Director, Writer - *Fixed* (2025), as Rocco (voice) - *Heads of State* (2025), as Sam Clarke · Executive Producer - *Victory* (2025), as Idris Elba · Executive Producer - *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* (2024), as Knuckles (voice) — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/sonic-the-hedgehog-3.md) - *The Battle for Black Music: Paid in Full* (2024), series, Executive Producer - *The Brown Dog* (2024), Executive Producer - *Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color* (2024), series, Executive Producer - *Knuckles* (2024), series, as Knuckles the Echidna (voice) · Executive Producer - *Gold: A Journey with Idris Elba* (2023), Actor - *Hijack* (2023), series, as Sam Nelson · Executive Producer — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/hijack.md) - *Extraction 2* (2023), as Alcott - *Luther: The Fallen Sun* (2023), as John Luther · Producer - *The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse* (2022), as The Fox (voice) - *A New Diva's Christmas Carol* (2022), Producer - *Zootopia+* (2022), series, as Chief Bogo (voice) - *Three Thousand Years of Longing* (2022), as The Djinn - *Beast* (2022), as Dr. Nate Daniels - *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022), as Heimdall — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md) - *Sonic the Hedgehog 2* (2022), as Knuckles (voice) — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/sonic-the-hedgehog-2.md) - *TBC* (2022), series, Thanks - *Edicius* (2021), Executive Producer - *The Harder They Fall* (2021), as Rufus Buck - *What If...?* (2021), series, as Heimdall (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md) - *The Suicide Squad* (2021), as Bloodsport - *A World of Calm* (2020), series, as Narrator - *Concrete Cowboy* (2020), as Harp · Producer - *Cats* (2019), as Macavity — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/cats.md) - *Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw* (2019), as Brixton — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/fast-and-furious-presents-hobbs-and-shaw.md) - *Turn Up Charlie* (2019), series, as Charlie · Executive Producer, Creator - *Yardie* (2018), Director, Executive Producer - *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), as Heimdall — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md) - *In the Long Run* (2018), series, as Walter Easmon · Creator - *Molly's Game* (2017), as Charlie Jaffey — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/mollys-game.md) - *The Mountain Between Us* (2017), as Dr. Ben Bass - *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017), as Heimdall — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md) - *The Dark Tower* (2017), as Roland Deschain - *Guerrilla* (2017), series, as Kent · Executive Producer - *five by five* (2017), series, as Alpha Ash · Executive Producer - *Marine Life Interviews* (2016), as Fluke (voice) - *100 Streets* (2016), as Max · Producer - *Star Trek Beyond* (2016), as Krall — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond.md) - *Finding Dory* (2016), as Fluke (voice) — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-dory.md) - *Bastille Day* (2016), as Sean Briar - *The Jungle Book* (2016), as Shere Khan (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016.md) - *Zootopia* (2016), as Chief Bogo (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/zootopia.md) - *Beasts of No Nation* (2015), as Commandant · Producer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/beasts-of-no-nation.md) - *King for a Term* (2015), as Akuna's father · Director, Writer - *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), as Heimdall — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md) - *The Gunman* (2015), as Barnes - *Cut from a Different Cloth* (2015), Actor - *No Good Deed* (2014), as Colin · Executive Producer - *Second Coming* (2014), as Mark — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/second-coming.md) - *K. Michelle: The Rebellious Soul Musical* (2014), Director - *Enchanted Kingdom* (2014), as narrator - *Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom* (2013), as Nelson Mandela — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/mandela-long-walk-to-freedom.md) - *Thor: The Dark World* (2013), as Heimdall — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-the-dark-world.md) - *Pacific Rim* (2013), as Stacker Pentecost — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/pacific-rim.md) - *How Clubbing Changed the World* (2012), Executive Producer - *Prometheus* (2012), as Janek — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/prometheus.md) - *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, Akuna's Father / Narrator, Writer, Director - *Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance* (2011), as Moreau - *Thor* (2011), as Heimdall — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/thor.md) - *Legacy* (2010), as Malcolm Gray - *Takers* (2010), as Gordon Jennings - *Luther* (2010), series, as John Luther · Associate Producer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/luther.md) - *The Losers* (2010), as Roque - *Obsessed* (2009), as Derek Charles - *The Unborn* (2009), as Arthur Wyndham - *The Human Contract* (2008), as Larry - *RocknRolla* (2008), as Mumbles - *Prom Night* (2008), as Detective Winn - *This Christmas* (2007), as Quentin "Junior" Whitfield - *American Gangster* (2007), as Tango - *28 Weeks Later* (2007), as General Stone — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/28-weeks-later.md) - *The Reaping* (2007), as Ben - *Daddy's Little Girls* (2007), as Monty James - *All In The Game* (2006), as Paul - *The Gospel* (2005), as Reverend Charles Frank - *Fat Load O Nothin* (2005), as Goggy The Gritish Gully - *The Office* (2005), series, as Charles Miner — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md) - *Sometimes in April* (2005), as Augustin - *Jonny Zero* (2005), series, as Hodge - *One Love* (2003), as Aaron - *Buffalo Soldiers* (2002), as Kimborough - *Hack* (2002), series, as Mac Boone - *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Angelo Sedaris - *The Wire* (2002), series, as Stringer Bell — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md) - *The Inspector Lynley Mysteries* (2002), series, as Robert Gabriel - *Aqua Teen Hunger Force* (2000), series, as Police Officer (voice) - *Sorted* (2000), as Jam - *Girlfriends* (2000), series, as Paul Raymond - *Soul Food* (2000), series, as Smitty - *Belle Maman* (1999), as Grégoire - *Ultraviolet* (1998), series, as Vaughan Rice - *Verdict* (1998), series, as PC Brian Rawlinson - *Spiders and Flies* (1996), as Benton - *Crucial Tales* (1996), series, as Benton - *Silent Witness* (1996), series, as Charlie - *Degrees of Error* (1995), series, as Walter Jones - *The Governor* (1995), series, as Officer Donny Chiswick - *Bramwell* (1995), series, as Charlie Carter - *Dangerfield* (1995), series, as Matt Gregory - *Crocodile Shoes* (1994), series, as Jo Jo - *Space Precinct* (1994), series, as Pizza Delivery Man - *Absolutely Fabulous* (1992), series, as Hilton — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/absolutely-fabulous.md) - *2Point4 Children* (1991), series, as Parachute Instructor - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Lonnie Liston — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Devil (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *The Ruth Rendell Mysteries* (1987), series, as Raffy - *This Is How It Goes*, Director, Executive Producer - *Untitled Luther Sequel*, as John Luther · Producer - *Stay Frosty*, Actor - *Extraction 3*, as Alcott - *Bang!*, Actor - *The Chelsea Cowboy*, Executive Producer - *Infernus*, as Donovan Kamara · Producer, Director - *Hammer Down*, as Mac · Producer ## Gallery - ![Idris Elba as John Luther in Luther (2010)](https://film.one/media/title/8858/still-ad1f9acc81c2.jpg) Idris Elba as John Luther in *Luther* (2010) — Image via TMDB - ![Idris Elba](https://film.one/media/person/219/gallery-bbf7ca4e4367.jpg) Idris Elba — Image via TMDB - ![Idris Elba](https://film.one/media/person/219/gallery-470790094d78.jpg) Idris Elba — Image via TMDB - ![Idris Elba](https://film.one/media/person/219/gallery-13547f8bf259.jpg) Idris Elba — Image via TMDB - ![Idris Elba](https://film.one/media/person/219/gallery-28a37fe2e80d.jpg) Idris Elba — Image via TMDB - ![Idris Elba](https://film.one/media/person/219/gallery-a431638f9f10.jpg) Idris Elba — Image via TMDB - ![Idris Elba](https://film.one/media/person/219/gallery-181cbecaac4d.jpg) Idris Elba — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### BAFTA Television Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 2016: Best Actor (nominated), for *Luther* ### Other awards — 4 won, 1 nominated - Knight Bachelor 2026: Knight Bachelor (won) - The Game Awards − Best Performance 2023: The Game Awards − Best Performance (nominated) - honorary doctorate 2022: honorary doctorate (won) - Officer of the Order of the British Empire 2016: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (won) - The King's Trust 1988: The King's Trust (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/idris-elba