Idris Elba, who has starred in a host of big-budget films and TV shows during his career, has revealed the dark truth of Hollywood. The 50-year-old opens up about why he stopped describing himself as a black actor and also explains he is tired of being put in a box. The actor, who returns as his iconic detective Luther in Netflix’s upcoming film “Luther: The Fallen Sun,” recently stated that he no longer refers to himself as a black actor because it has become a restrictive label on his career.
In an interaction with Esquire UK, Idris Elba stated, “Of course, I’m a member of the black community,” Elba said. “You say a prominent one. But when I go to America, I’m a prominent member of the British community. ‘Oh, U.K.’s in the house!’ If we spent half the time not talking about the differences but the similarities between us, the entire planet would have a shift in the way we deal with each other.”
Elba continued, “As humans, we are obsessed with race, and that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder their growth. Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be. I stopped describing myself as a Black actor when I realized it put me in a box. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to. Our skin is no more than that: it’s just skin. Rant over.”
The Beast actor recalled how he decided to become an actor because he didn’t see black people doing it and that’s why he wanted to change that.
Netflix is launching Idris Elba’s Luther: The Fallen Sun on March 10 this year. The movie is a continuation of the BBC series that made the actor an international star. The official trailer from the movie makers was released yesterday, and it’s getting a good response from the viewers.
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