Idris Elba

Golden Globe®-winning actor Idris Elba showcases his creative versatility in television and film, as well as behind the camera as a producer and director. He continues to captivate audiences as one to watch in Hollywood, with a string of well-received performances in high-profile films as well as and in multiple critically acclaimed television series.

Prior to his big-screen debut, Elba's career skyrocketed on the small screen in some of UK's top-rated shows, including "Dangerfield," "Bramwell" and "Ultraviolet." In 2000, "Ultraviolet" was purchased by Fox in the United States, offering Elba a break into the American marketplace. He soon moved to New York and earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Achilles in Sir Peter Hall's Off-Broadway production of "Troilus and Cressida." Shortly thereafter he landed a part on the acclaimed television series "Law & Order."

Elba landed the role of Stringer Bell, the lieutenant of a Baltimore drug empire on HBO's critically acclaimed series "The Wire." In 2005, his performance earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.

In 2005, Elba began his film career in such projects as HBO's "Sometimes in April" (NAACP Image Award nomination), Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls" (BET Award nomination), "The Reaping" alongside Hilary Swank, and the horror thriller "28 Weeks Later." In 2007, Elba starred in Ridley Scott's Golden Globe®-nominated "American Gangster" with Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Ruby Dee and Josh Brolin. The cast received a Screen Actors Guild Award® nomination.

Following, Elba starred in Guy Ritchie's "RocknRolla" with Tom Hardy; opposite Beyonce Knowles in "Obsessed" (NAACP Image Award Nomination); "The Losers" (BET Award winner), "Legacy" (which he also executive produced); "Ghost Rider" with Nicolas Cage; Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" with Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron; "Thor" with Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth; and Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim" alongside Charlie Hunnam, Charlie Day and Rinko Kikuchi.

In 2013, Elba starred as Nelson Mandela in The Weinstein Company biopic "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." His performance earned him a Golden Globe® nomination and an NAACP Image Award nomination. The next year, he both starred in and executive produced "No Good Deed," a thriller also starring Taraji P. Henson. In March 2015, Elba appeared in Pierre Morel's "The Gunman," alongside Sean Penn and Javier Bardem.

Elba can be seen in "Beasts of No Nation," directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, which earned him nominations for a Golden Globe® and NAACP Image Award; as well as SAG and Independent Spirit Awards for best supporting actor. He lends his voice to Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Zootopia," and stars in this summer's "Star Trek Beyond."

Elba returned to television in 2009 when he joined the cast of NBC's hit television show "The Office" as Michael Scott's less-than-amused boss Charles Minor. In 2010, Elba landed the title role of John Luther in the BBC crime drama miniseries "Luther." Following the first season, Elba was nominated for an Emmy® for his performance in "Luther," as well as for his guest appearance on Showtime's "The Big C." His performance in the first season of "Luther" earned him an NAACP Image Award, a BET Award, and a Golden Globe®. In 2012, Elba earned an Emmy nomination for the second season of "Luther." The third installment of the BBC miniseries aired in September 2013. His performance earned him an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination as well as an NAACP Image Award. In 2015, Elba reprised his role as Luther for the two-part final installment of the series, for which he earned nominations for a Golden Globe and NAACP Award; and garnered the SAG Award® for outstanding performance by a male actor.

In 2013, Elba made his directorial debut with the teleplay "The Pavement Psychologist" for Sky/Sprout Pictures as part of Sky's PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS series starring Anna Friel, which Elba also wrote. He also created, directed and starred in the music video "Lover of Light" by Mumford and Sons, which has received more than nine million YouTube views to date.

In 2014, Elba starred in and produced a two-part documentary titled "King of Speed" for BBC Two and BBC America with his production company Green Door Pictures. In 2015, Elba and Green Door Pictures released the documentary "Mandela, My Dad and Me," which follows Elba during the making of his album "mi Mandela."

In winter 2015, Elba launched his clothing line Idris Elba + Superdry, which combines vintage Americana styling with Japanese-inspired graphics, available in both the UK and U.S.

Walt Disney Pictures