IDRIS ELBA making history
Most people know Idris Elba as Stringer Bell from The Wire, or John Luther from the BBC TV series or a host of other roles that now includes the late Nelson Mandela, but Idris originally hails from Newham.
From Canning Town to Hollywood, Idris Elba’s journey from the East End to global stardom is an extraordinary story, but one that is eclipsed by the subject of his latest film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
What are your memories of newham?
I grew up in Canning Town and then moved to East Ham. Canning Town wasn’t fun at that point because it was a big National Front area. It was tough and you had to stand up for yourself. I miss my great school there, Trinity, which was knocked down. I love coming back – my mum still lives in Newham and I’m always there. I never felt like I left it.
How did you get beyond the myth of Mandela?
I had to find out things about him that made him more human. As warm as everyone thinks he is, in real life he was quite stern with his children. You can’t imagine Nelson Mandela being treated like a slave in prison but that’s what happened.
He was also always flirting with the lady journalists and he didn’t mind getting into a debate. He would be polite but if your facts were wrong, he’d tell you. These are the things that influenced me so I could understand who I was trying to play.
Did you study his mannerisms?
I studied, but I interpreted a lot. I used my dad as a model for Mandela as a 70-yearold man, only because there would be similarities in the way they would move, gesture and so on. My dad passed recently. He saw the fi lm and he didn’t recognise himself but he recognised all his brothers. It’s my greatest piece of work and it’s dedicated to him.
Where did you first hear the name Mandela?
It was in Newham at Trinity School. My dad was very much into what was happening with Mandela, very much an advocate for the fight. My dad was at Ford’s and I think he did a petition for Mandela.
Are people surprised you’re from London?
Less and less. I’ve done more roles in other accents than my normal accent. It was an amazing experience to play John Luther, an English character, with my own accent and be on British TV. It’s great being on HBO in America but my mum just wanted me to be in EastEnders. This was the closest I was going to get.
What made you go into acting?
I think it comes from being an only child. When you’ve got two toys, you do two voices. I wouldn’t want to go to bed because I would be in this imaginary world playing with my toys.
What advice would you give young aspiring actors?
Understanding what it is you want to do and understanding there are many research tools, classes, workshops and people that are accessible. It takes getting off your phone and finding a drama course on a Saturday. The South Bank is a stone’s throw away from Newham and it is rich in opportunity. Everything I ever wanted to know about acting was in a library book.
Following Nelson Mandela’s death, Idris issued a statement that said: “I am stunned, in mourning with the rest of the world and Madiba’s family. We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this earth, I only feel honoured to be associated with him.”
*This feature is courtesy of Newham Communications: find out more at
www.newham.gov.uk.
17 Idris photo – Andrew Baker Still from the film: Mandela
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