Idris Elba: I Love Playing A Real-Life Superhero

The hunky actor prepares to set pulses racing in a heart-stopping new season of Luther.

- Hilary Morgan

He’s been named one of the sexiest men on earth, but there are plenty more reasons to love British actor Idris Elba! Not only did he return to his iconic role as the titular detective in the fifth season of Luther, but he’s also been working on surprising new projects, such as his upcoming role as a DJ-turned many in the Netflix comedy Turn Up Charlie.

By all accounts, Idris is also one of the nicest men around and a doting father to his two children – daughter Isan, 17, and son Winston, four – from previous relationships.

Sadly for Idris’ fans, though, he’s about to wed Canadian model Sabrina Dhowre, 30, after he got down on one knee last year. ‘In terms of wanting to make someone feel super-special and feel my love that was pretty romantic for me,’ he says. Talk about one lucky lady!

Here, Idris chats playing Luther on the big screen, James Bond and how he keeps his body chiselled and ready for his next heroic role…

Why do you keep returning to your iconic role as Luther?

I think we like to give the illusion that there’ll be no more. We revel in keeping the audience guessing about whether we’re coming back. It’s not that we don’t want to come back, it’s just that we have a different approach to making a television show. It’s a little bit of an unorthodox way of doing things but, ultimately, Luther is something I will always come back to. I love the character. I love this show. I think there’s endless versions or incarnations of Luther that we can explore.