BET Awards 2022: 5 Performances From Idris Elba Where He Showed Off His Skills
Some actors are so good at what they do on screen that it’s sometimes easy to forget they are not their characters, and for some movie fans in America, often we’re surprised when we find out that our favorite stars are not even from this country. As with the case involving Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage, who stunned social media users in 2019 after discovering that the “A Lot” emcee was not born in Georgia but Newham University Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Elsewhere, they’ve perfected the American accent, making for some of the most memorable and believable performances like BET Awards 2021 Best Actor nominee Idris Elba who’s given some of the most convincing portrayals onscreen. Join us as we take a look at five performances that made us forget Idris Elba was English.
"The Harder They Fall"
Idris is outlaw Rufu Buck in the Netflix western The Harder They Fall. The film stars an ensemble cast including Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz, Jonathan Majors, and more. The film earned several awards, including a 2022 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture.
"The Wire"
Idris is Russell 'Stringer' Bell, the right-hand man of drug kingpin and childhood friend Avon Barksdale, in the critically acclaimed and culturally loved HBO series The Wire. Many may have seen the actor’s character used as a social media gif.
"The Office"
Idris Elba’s brief appearance as Charles Miner in the hit comedy series The Office is a guest appearance fans didn’t know they needed. He was the bold and intense interim manager at the Scranton branch of Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company during Scott’s brief departure to start his own paper company.
"Prometheus"
Idris is Janek, the captain of the eponymous space vessel, is a pragmatic, level-headed character with whom the audience can identify.
"Molly’s Game"
The actor plays Charlie Jaffey, the lawyer of former skier Molly Bloom played by Jessica Chastain, who gets caught up in the world of high-stakes underground gambling. While the film is a little underwhelming, Idris makes for saving grace.
