An hour with Idris

Back in the 2000s, Charlie Brooker, who was at the time the TV critic for the Guardian, raved repeatedly about a show called The Wire. It was being broadcast on a satellite channel I did not have, but after the third or fourth rave review, I decided I really needed to check it out.

As a precursor to Netflix, there was a company called Love Film. For a monthly s fee they would send you DVDs in the mail, which you watched, sent back and got replaced by the next film on your list. I sent off for disc one of the first series. I watched the first of I think it was three episodes and knew. This was a show I needed to own. Cancelled the rest of the discs on Love Film and ordered the whole series from Amazon.

By the time I dived in, there were already four series available. I binged three of them.

I loved everything about that show, but if I had to pick my two absolute favourite things they would be Michael K Williams as Omar, because that may very well be the best character ever created for television, and Idris Elba as Stringer Bell, because, oh, come on, let’s face it, PHWOAR! (And, yes, Stringer was also a complex character.)

SPOILER ALERT. Do not read any further if you haven’t already seen the show.

I was so upset when they killed Stringer at the end of series three that it took me months before I watched the final series.

What’s made me think about this? I stumbled across this reel on Facebook. (Hope you’re on Facebook and can click on the link.)

Elba was originally auditioned for Avon? Well, yeah, I’m sure he would have done a good job, but I honestly can’t imagine him as anyone other than Stringer.

Watching that chat with Trevor Noah on Facebook reminded me of a special feature short that came with the series four DVDs. That I have managed to find on YouTube.

Casting isn’t everything (because, if you don’t have the writing, it doesn’t matter who you cast), but it is certainly important.

Oh, look. That chat about being cast in The Wire is just a short part of a much longer interview Idris Elba did with Trevor Noah, which is very entertaining. And who wouldn’t love an hour with Idris? (Other than my crazy, mad-about-Dominic-West mate Irmani?)

You’re welcome.