Webchat with IDRIS ELBA: Thursday 19th December, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted to end 2013 by welcoming Golden Globe winner Idris Elba to Mumsnet HQ on Thursday 19th December between 1.00 and 2.00pm to answer your questions.

Idris is best known for his portrayal of Russell 'Stringer' Bell in The Wire and later as Detective John Luther in BBC One's Luther. On January 3rd Idris is back on the big screen playing Nelson Mandela in the highly anticipated MANDELA LONG WALK TO FREEDOM for which he is has recently been nominated as ‘Best Actor’ for his portrayal of Mandela at the 2014 Golden Globes.

MANDELA was made with the full support and endorsement of Mr Mandela, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. Mr Mandela entrusted his life story to South African producer Anant Singh in the face of fierce competition from the major international studios. Singh spent 16 years developing the film, teaming up with David Thompson and finally commencing principal photography of this UK-South African coproduction in May 2012.

Come and chat to Idris on Thursday at 1.00pm and to find out more about the new film and his other work. If you're unable to join us please post a question in advance to this thread.

@FEEdec

Hi Idris

Great to have you on here! I loved the Wire and was gutted when Stringer was killed (but what an episode!!)

My question is have you ever had a truly awful job (prior to being a world famous actor that is!). Mine was a summer job, unpacking used vacuums in a factory during a Uni holiday - t'was hell on earth!

Thank you x

My worst job was in a place called Easy Way. It was a shop with barrels of dried fruit. I had to fill up the barrels and come down and scoop and weight it. I had prunes and raisins stuck to my face all day long - no fun. Healthy eating, mind.

I'm pretty sure Paul Barber was in a production of Rent Party at the Stratford theatre Royal. So good, a friend and I watched it four times.

Thanks for answering my questions Idris. I heart you

I note that you were very careful in your response to the new James Bond rumour question and did NOT actually deny it .

@Fairylea

Dd aged 10 wants me to ask you this....!

In Pacific rim, which she absolutely loved, you command one of the largest robots against the kijuu (no idea if I've spelt that right!). If there was an alien invasion what would you do?

:)

I haven't thought about that. Because an alien invasion, especially the Kijuu would feel like an earthquake I would probably hide under this desk that I'm typing from now. That way the Kijuu would not see me, and I could keep mum chatting!

@ScrambledSmegs

Oh, and who do you think is going to win the Golden Globe, you or Chiwetel Ejiofor?

ignores other nominees in the same category

I think Chiwetel will win because I've known him for over 20 years. He beat me to one of his first roles in a film and we had to do our rehearsal scenes together. He won that role so I suspect he might just pinch it. Either way we've both one because I love him and he's an amazing actor.

How LOVELY - 'Paul barber you're my hero'

Lovely Denzil.

@MsGee

Idris, it was my birthday two days ago - could I have a kiss please?

X big kiss

For fact fans, this is a pic of an Astrovan, Idris' dream car

Very much enjoying this :-)

Idris, how will you spend Christmas Day? And, what is the best Christmas gift you have ever received?

Aww I'm gutted you feel unable to answer my snog question Idris.

But I understand, it IS a toughie. Personally I'd choose Tom Hiddleston but Chris Hemsworth does a close second.

Great webchat.

Thank you and merry Christmas.

@JaquelineHyde

Hi Idris

You are clearly a very talented actor and DJ/musician and you appear to love both of these talents but if push came to shove and you could only do one for the rest of your life, which would you pick, music or film/tv/stage?

Also you have produced quite a few music videos, do you have any more lined up?

Merry Christmas

I haven't done any music videos but I'm preparing for a music video for for a music channel in the US in the new year. I can't tell you too much about it - but I'm excited.

@donnie

Thanks for answering my questions Idris. I heart you

I note that you were very careful in your response to the new James Bond rumour question and did NOT actually deny it .

I heart you too, Donnie!

And lovely comment about Chiwetel.

@jonicomelately

Actually, I do have a proper question.

I feel really passionate about the fact there should be more female screenwriters, especially here in the UK. I would therefore like to ask you, who is your favourite female screenwriter (TV, radio or film, UK or USA).

Thanks.

Well actually there's someone I've been working with, who's also a mum, her name is Anna Waterhouse. She's done quite a lot of work for Ridley Scott. I'm going to be working with her very soon. You'll hear much more about her in the future.

Hello idris, I'd like to ask you have you experienced typecasting or lack of opportunity in accessing good roles as a black actor? Adrian Lester has discussed this extensively.

My favourite biscuit is a jammy dodger, and I tend to crunch all the way around the biscuit edge and then eat the jam in the middle.

Grrr I meant directed music videos not produced, sorry

Hi
Great webchat, thanks. Any plans to go back to love and liquor?
I was there and it was awesome. You played all of Blue Monday, result

@ExcuseTypos

Hello Idris

What was it like, being part of the London Olympics Opening Ceromony?

I wasn't actually a part of the ceremony but I helped to promote the countdown. I was out of the country when the ceremony actually happened.

Good luck with your future work and congratulations on your baby news.

Have a great Christmas. Come back in the new year after you have finished filming "Bond"

@patienceisvirtuous

Very much enjoying this :-)

Idris, how will you spend Christmas Day? And, what is the best Christmas gift you have ever received?

I'm going to spend Christmas at home with my entire family. It'll be the first Christmas without my dad which is heartbreaking but we're all getting together to celebrate him. I got an Xbox 1 for Christmas this year which I've already been given - that was a pretty cool present!

What's the most enjoyable character you have ever played.? X

@MrsTiggywinklesDiaries

Music question, what is your favourite song to relax to after a long day? Mine is Barry White's 'Just The Way You Are'

It would be any of Bob Marley's records. I love playing the old Bob Marley tunes when I'm chilling at home.

Well, frankly that's Jammie Dodgers fucked forever more now.