Idris Elba, the iconic actor known for roles in Marvel, DC, and Sonic the Hedgehog, revealed a surprising detail about his past role in the critically acclaimed TV series The Wire. While Elba’s portrayal of the ambitious and complex Stringer Bell earned him fame, he admitted to never watching the show, even to this day.
His reason? A deeply personal connection to the character that makes revisiting the series too difficult.
In a recent interview on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Elba explained that while he is undeniably proud of his work on the show, he simply cannot bring himself to watch it. He admitted that, even though he was a part of the show’s creation, he feels disconnected from the celebration of it as a viewer. “I feel a little bit outside the club,” he confessed. “I didn’t watch it. I didn’t participate in its celebration as a fan, and so I feel a little bit outside of the club.”
But it’s not just about missing out on the post-show success. Elba’s reluctance to watch comes from a deeper, emotional place. The actor shared that when Stringer Bell met his tragic end, a part of him felt like it died alongside the character. “It’s weird for me to go back and watch it. When Stringer Bell died, there was a part of me that died with that character,” he said. “It’s almost like I was Stringer Bell in some way.”
This personal connection makes it hard for Elba to view his past performance objectively. “I don’t like being overly conscious of what my performance is like because it makes me conscious about doing it,” Elba noted, explaining why he avoids watching his past work. “I like being in it rather than watching it.”
Despite not watching The Wire, Elba’s career has flourished. The series was just the beginning of his meteoric rise, leading him to play Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Bloodsport in DC’s The Suicide Squad. More recently, Elba voiced Knuckles in the Sonic the Hedgehog films, further solidifying his place as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors.
Looking ahead, Elba is set to star as Duncan, Man-At-Arms, in Amazon Prime’s live-action adaptation of Masters of the Universe, proving that his career is only continuing to grow.
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