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.

Apologies to the partner of Idris for all this lechery.

Ms Elba- you have exquisite taste in men and Merry Christmas

@CoolMama7

What are you working on now in the way of new movies? And when will you release Mi Mandela?

Hello CoolMama! You are one of my oldest supporters. I'm actually just finishing up touches on a film called Second Coming which is a British film about an ordinary family that go through a very supernatural event. It's written by Debbie Tucker Green who's a great new voice in theatre and television - I love her. Mi Mandela, I'm still finishing it. I think after Spring.

@donnie

Hi Idris; I am a great admirer of your work. My question is similar to scottishmummy's: David Harewood has spoken a lot about the infrequency of good roles for black actors, and he also said he only really began to get good roles when he went to America (eg Homeland etc). I was wondering whether or not you had found the same thing. Thanks.

When I left England I can't say that I was short of work. My agent thought I was crazy because I was working as an actor. I went to America because I wanted to be in a bigger pond, not because I couldn't get work. There's definitely an understanding that there's a bigger pond, African Americans have been on TV and in film for much longer than we have in this country. I think David is right that for many actors in England there was a glass ceiling and you could only go so far. I think that's changing. We're seeing more and more stories being told from different perspectives, race or gender etc, and that's what opening up the diversity. I hate the term black actor, an actor is an actor whether he's black or white –he's an actor! It's important that I don't pigeon hole my ambition in that way, which is why I'm fortunate to have this career if I'm honest.

This man is a hero because when I was 14 and he came to my drama class and sat down with us about being an actor. His name is Paul Barber. He appeared in the Full Monty. He came to our school and said "listen lads, you wanna be actors, this is what it's like". There was a man straight from the movies in our class. Paul Barber - you're my hero.

Jammie Dodgers, eh?

Mumsnet will never be the same again...

My husband and me both lost our Fathers this last 14 months.

My condolences to you.

Well, I hope you have a fantastic time at Christmas including celebrating your father. And all the best for the new year!

@MrsBears

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

I quite enjoyed playing Charles Minor on The Office, because it was opportunity to do some comedy. I've got the girls in Mumsnet laughing the whole time I've been here.

Merry Christmas, Idris! Thank you for answering my question!

Shuffles off (pity there's no mistletoe....)!

Oh my god. I've missed you.

So at least you won't see me make a fool my myself.

I love you Idris!

MrsD

Thank you very much for all your clean questions. It's been an absolute honour and really nice to speak to people one-to-one in this way. Thank you for all of you guys for asking questions, sorry if I missed any.

I'm really really proud of Mandela and it's taken on a new meaning on my life and since it's passing it's taken on a new meaning for the world.

In any case, I'm out now to buy some colourful socks.

Hugs and kisses and jammy dodgers xx

Yes, condolences Idris. I know the feeling I lost my father this year as well. God Bless you and your family. Happy Holidays!!

Come back soooooon! Merry Christmas.

I forgive you Idris for completely ignoring my question

Oh noooo, don't leave!!! Just got in!

Just had to say that you are extremely talented and I had to triple check it was you playing Mandela as you are unrecognisable. I am also a massive Wire fan, no shiiiiiiiit

Thank you for coming in.

Don't mind those ladies all a quiver over there

Idris hearts me! Idris hearts me - he said it himself!

Great webchat - well done ladies and gents!

Can I just point out that he kissed me :D

The thumbs up picture on the main page is just for you two.

A little clap for SophieMN for her fast typing.
Really good webchat.

Glad to hear his important point about the tiresome label 'Black Actor'.

There really is no need for this prefix. Questions about racism and the paucity of roles (and most definitely Hollywood's squeamishness about leading male and female roles being different races) are useful albeit awful that we are STILL having to ask them but the prefix as a general description needs to become redundant.

Yes but he said WOW to me. WOW more than once.

What a lovely bloke :)

I missed Idris! Why did I wake up so late?! Gutted!