Celebrating a decades-long career in country music
Elba had a breakthrough performance in ‘The Wire’ as Stringer Bell, a ruthless drug kingpin who runs the Barksdale Organization.
Elba played the character from 2002 to 2004, introducing the actor to an American audience and showcasing his best American accent.
Elba returned three years later with a role in the crime film ‘American Gangster.' Idris played Tango in the film, a quick-footed gangster who forms a rivalry with Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington).
He also got involved with Jay-Z’s album of the same name, which featured vocals and production from the actor.
Elba kept the roles coming in 2008, starring in Guy Ritchie’s crime comedy ‘RocknRolla.'
He played Mumbles, a henchman who works with Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy).
Miner is a company vice president who comically interferes with Michael Scott’s carefree management style.
‘Luther’ was Elba's first titular role. He plays an unorthodox cop who’s plagued with plenty of emotional demons.
Elba played Luther for five seasons, from 2010 to 2019. While a season 6 didn't happen, a movie based on the series was released in 2023.
Elba kept the sci-fi roles coming in 2013. He starred as Stacker Pentecost in ‘Pacific Rim,’ a military general tasked with fighting monstrous sea creatures.
According to IMDb, Tom Cruise was originally considered for the role.
Elba went big for this role in 2013. He starred as Nelson Mandela in ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,' which followed the activist’s life from childhood to becoming the president of South Africa.
After completing the film, Elba was filled with musical inspiration. He released an album, ‘Idris Elba Presents Mi Mandela,' one year later.
This is perhaps Elba’s most-acclaimed role. He won a Screen Actors Guild Award for the performance.
We move on to more lighthearted territory with ‘Zootopia.' Elba played a buffalo police chief in the film. Bogo is grumpy and pessimistic. Still, he warms to Officer Judy Hopps, a police rabbit from the small town of Bunnyburrow.
Elba was one of the first voices to be announced for ‘The Jungle Book.' It was a highly praised performance.
Elba did motion capture for ‘Star Trek Beyond,' the third film in the rebooted ‘Star Trek’ series.
Krall was once a noble captain, but turned into a mutated human warlord who searches for destruction.
Elba took on another crime role in ‘Molly’s Game.' He starred as Charlie Jaffey, lawyer for FBI target Molly Bloom, who runs a high-stakes poker ring in Los Angeles.
Elba had only 10 days to film ‘Molly’s Game’ with co-star Jessica Chastain. According to IMDb, they shot 45 pages of script in six days.
Elba took on a role unlike any other in 2018. He adapted the novel ‘Yardie’ into a film, with himself serving as director.
It was Elba’s first film as director, but unfortunately it didn't go down very well with critics.
‘Thor’ wasn’t Elba’s first superhero film, but it featured his strongest character. The actor played the role of Heimdall, an all-seeing and all-hearing god.
For 'The Dark Tower,' Elba played Roland Deschain, the last of the Gunslingers who battles Walter O'Dim for rule over the Dark Tower.
In 2015, Elba took on the role of Commandant in ‘Beasts of No Nation.' Elba played the leader of a rebel army that uses child soldiers to fight vicious battles.
The movie received generally positive reviews from critics, and made a boom at the box office.
See also: Long-running film franchises we love
Elba picked the film because of director and co-writer Nikolaj Arcel. Unfortunately, it didn't do very well with the critics.
Idris Elba is a man of many talents. In addition to his career as an actor, he is also a DJ, rapper, singer, and has his own clothing line. Luckily, this diversity of talents follows him on-screen, where he plays a number of very different roles. He has a range like no other, playing lawyers, crime leaders, and even buffalo police chiefs.
Check out this gallery for a roundup of Idris Elba's best roles.
The actor made a great career move in 2009, joining the cast of ‘The Office’ as Charles Miner.
The irresistible Idris Elba's best film and television roles
The British star is 52
CELEBRITY Actors
Idris Elba is a man of many talents. In addition to his career as an actor, he is also a DJ, rapper, singer, and has his own clothing line. Luckily, this diversity of talents follows him on-screen, where he plays a number of very different roles. He has a range like no other, playing lawyers, crime leaders, and even buffalo police chiefs.
Check out this gallery for a roundup of Idris Elba's best roles.