Best of British: Idris Elba
28 May 2009
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Idris Elba is a television, film and theatre actor that has found success on both sides of the pond.
he began his career as a DJ at the age of fourteen, working with his uncle, before going on to start his own DJ company. After attending the National Youth Music Theatre he juggled both DJ work and acting.
Although he began acting in 1992 it was medical drama Bramwell in 1995 that proved to be the breakthrough role for the actor, before going on to appear in Absolutely Fabulous.
He worked in television for several years appearing in Ultrviolet, Dangerfield and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries before stepping onto the big screen.
In 2001 he joined Joaquin Phoenix in Buffalo Soldiers, an adaptation of Robert O'Connor novel.
Off the back of Buffalo Soldiers Elba moved into American television as he landed the role that he is now mostly associated, Russell 'Stringer' Bell in hit show The Wire.
Set in Baltimore the show follows the police as they try to get drugs off the streets. Elba stayed with the show between 2002 - 2004 appearing in thirty seven episodes.
Since his stint in The Wire the actor has seen his career soar going on to appear in the likes of The Reaping, 28 Weeks Later and American Gangster.
Last year was a busy year for the actor appearing in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and Prom Night. But he teamed up with Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson and Mark Strong in Guy Ritchie's RocknRolla.
Elba took on the role of Mumbles a member of The Wild Bunch. The movie was a massive success topping the UK box office.
He returns to the big screen this week in Obsessed, a film that has already been #1 in America alongside Beyonce Knowles and Ali Larter.
Derek Charles (Elba) is a successful, married businessman. Things are looking up for him after receiving a promotion and his marriage to his wife Lisa (Knowles), couldn't be better.
His life is complicated however, when Lisa (Larter), arrives at his job as a temp worker.
After flirting and arguably encouraging attention from Lisa, she starts stalking him, which puts his personal, as well as his professional life in jeopardy and destroying his ideal world.
Up next for Elba is crime thriller Takers which will also star Paul Walker, Matt Dillon and Hayden Christensen and will be released next year.
Obsessed is released 29th May
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