Actor Idris Elba is mostly famous today for his television and movie roles, but it wasn't an easy road to being a household name. Elba recently discussed his early life and the hard jobs he did before finding success in entertaining on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler.
Elba explained that he used to do night shifts at the Ford factory in Dagenham, East London. Elba said that night shift work was "hard work" and "grim." He mentioned that it gave him discipline and a work ethic that helps him today. He stated that after years of doing this, acting was like a gift.
He didn't hit big until he was 35 and there was a lot of uncertainty before getting there. He worked a job here and there as he searched for roles and he said he never stopped moving, even at a slow pace. His words came across as someone who stayed determined regardless of the challenges they faced.
Elba stated to the hosts of the podcast that his tough upbringing helped him with his work habits. He will always remember those experiences and it makes him want to deliver the best performance possible. Instead of seeing acting as a huge pressure, he views acting as an opportunity—an opportunity he does not take for granted.
During the interview, in a shocking moment, Elba admitted that he has never watched The Wire, the HBO series that kick-started his international career. Elba played Stringer Bell, a character that brought him acclaim, and introduced him to American audiences.
Even though The Wire is considered the greatest television drama of all-time Elba stated he has never watched an episode. Why? Because he doesn't like to watch himself. "Because I don't like to see myself," he said. "I get all self-conscious and weird. I'm just focused on the work, as in acting it out, not watching it back!"
Idris Elba reveals why he's never watched The Wire and never will https://t.co/4B3aNIOTBJ
— Yahoo Entertainment UK (@YahooEntsUK) July 2, 2025
It surprised a lot of fans to hear this revelation given the importance that The Wire had on Elba’s ascension, but he said he takes pride in the work he did on the series and appreciated having the opportunity at the time, he just wants to leave it behind.
Also, it was refreshing to hear someone be so honest. Many actors are candid about their projects, but it’s rare to hear anyone fess up to not seeing one of their biggest successes. For Elba, apparently looking retrospectively isn't quite the same as pushing forward.
Image Source: bollysuperstar.com
