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.

Ok sorry sorry

From one Londoner to another - where is your favourite place in London?

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.

You know, I actually did a degree in Scriptwriting for Film and TV at Uni but never did anything with it (not sure why, all my scripts are sitting in the loft!!), sorry that was in response to jonicomelately

What randall said!!

"Do you think its a shame that many of our amazing actors seem to outgrow our best dramas? Why do you think that is the case in Britain, as film actors in the US seem to cross over and continue with both."

It makes me sad when they only run for a season or two

Absolutely not two questions

cestello you may have to queue up behind the rest of mumsnet towers.

Idris I feel I need to repeat my earlier question as it was posted amongst silliness.
Who would win in a fight between Stringer Bell and Luther?
I need to know.

Were you disappointed not to make it to the end of The Wire?
I'm still upset about it

Hello Idris!

Mine's more of a Mandela question

Did you " walk" in Mandela's shoes to become him? Meaning, did you go to Robben island? Talk to his friends etc
And being him, has it changed your life in any way?

Looking forward to the film, just reading the book!

Ultraviolet was A. M. A. Z. I. N. G. I mean it had Stephen Moyer aka Vampire Bill, and you obviously all broody and lovely.

The scene in the warehouse as another poster has said was great.

Why wasn't the series renewed.

Ps. Your great

Hello Idris,

Love your work

Can I ask how much more difficult it was trying to sound like someone's actual voice (Mandela) as opposed to just perfecting a regional accent? You must have listened to endless recordings of Mandela talk to get it as close as you did.

And I'd just like to say, for years I've watched you thinking 'I know him from something...' and today I realised having wiki'd you so I could sound all knowledgeable when posting it was from Family Affairs. There's a trip down memory lane I never thought would happen

Family Affairs to Mandela. Awesome.

Ultraviolet was fantastic. I wish there'd been another series.

Are you ever tempted to try theatre instead of film/tv? I know it's a different style than tv or film work, but I'm sure you'd have the stage presence to carry it off!

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

ignores other nominees in the same category

PS MNHQ can you take LOTS of photos? Please? You lucky people.

Oh what the hell. I'm in London. The kids won't mind loitering in the cold outside MNHQ doing a bit of a Christmas shopping

Hi Idris

I just love you as the maverick cop, Luther.

You seem to have quite a following of admirers - do you get mobbed in the streets?

How did you feel, attending the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom and then discovering the very sad news that he'd died . And how did you get in character playing Mandela?

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

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.

Hello Idris
My shy Welsh jazz-loving male friend (and fellow fan) would love to know whether you play any musical instruments?

Dear Idris,

When you grace Mumsnet with your rather lovely presence, I will be sat in a meeting discussing my year-to-date spend against my projected budget so I can reforecast my budget accurately for the rest of the year.

As you can appreciate, this is possibly the most cruel and boring way known to womankind to miss a web chat with your good self.

Please can you wave to me virtually so when I come out of the meeting I can go all perculiar and worry my staff by looking happy for no good reason, and possibly have them start a rumour about me and the deputy finance manager.

Thank you MWAH x

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.

Also could you tell me who your heroes and role models are? mine is George Orwell for his political stance and literary legacy. Who is yours?

Sorry MNHQ I have asked two questions but in my defence I asked them on everyone's behalf

Is he in the building then?

Hi Idris

I had a mad Uncle Idris in Wales, he always wore braces and loved to sip a Snowball at Christmas.

So in his honour, a) have you ever worn braces; and b) what is your favourite Christmas tipple

I LOVE YOU X

I was going to ask about the premiere /Mandelas death but someone has already asked that so my question is
Did you get to meet Mandela about the film?

wildly excited