Discussion about the need for diversity in film and television has been on the rise and even the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences agree that it is high time for changes to be reflected in the entertainment industry, as the Academy's President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced in its A2020 initiative. Idris Elba has said that the United Kingdom's (U.K.) entertainment industry has taken steps in the right direction to address the issue of racial diversification.
Nevertheless, the 43-year old actor who played Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) John Luther in British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) crime thriller, "Luther," believes that further diversification is still needed in the entertainment industry.
"People are aware of the issues that are faced. It's one of these problems that won't get fixed overnight but I think it's progressively getting better," he stated.
The "Beasts of No Nation" star said that "Luther" and BBC both support diversity on and off camera and that it is important to keep trying.
Idris Elba spoke out to U.K. networks asking them to increase ethnic minority representation and to create a more diversified work culture. Other celebrities who also spoke out alongside the actor are David Harewood, Meera Syal, David Oyelowo and Lenny Henry.
Elba is set to reprise his role as the workaholic crime detective, DCI John Luther, in a special two-part episode. The DJ-actor says that fans will be meeting a wiser Luther this time around and that many loose ends will be tied up in the two-parter. "There's some progression in Luther's life... this version of Luther, who is slightly older and a little bit more smarter and wiser, this begins the birth of the next chapter," he said.
Idris Elba was rumored to be the next 007 after Daniel Craig but he later revealed that there were no discussions happening between him and the producers of the 007 franchise. "Daniel Craig actually set the rumor off... I blame Daniel," he said.
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