I find that a lot of actors who are good and open to challenges have lived a full life. When you walk into an audition, you have more to say for yourself because you come from the real world. It's more enticing for directors, I think.

It's actually quite criminal how 'The Wire' was systematically ignored.

Television is where I cut my teeth.

I'm never shaken or stirred.

In some countries, no one knows who Idris Elba is.

My definition of bad-ass is that I'm a force of nature and true spirit. I'm self-admitting that, and it sounds vain to say that, but I am.

The directors [who know every detail] make films that are complete, basically.