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grlbrtndr asks: Which genre is the biggest challenge for you as an actor, comedic roles or dramatic roles?
Well I think if I had to choose it would have to be comedy because I don't get to do it as much. With drama you can draw on all kinds of emotions but with comedy you rely on comic timing and outlandish things. It's more difficult to do comedy but I enjoy doing it because I can be a goofball sometimes.
spawn of oz asks: How frustrating is it for actors of color to get good gigs in television films in Britain? Do you think it's difficult for them to get these roles?
Yes, definitely. I understand that black people haven't been on TV that long, you know, and as people see more on TV, they want their programs to reflect them. It is harder on us in television but I do see improvements coming. More black folk are getting on telly in England now than when I was there. I was one of maybe ten black men on our four regular telly channels and that's it. I think it's getting better and as long as you're consistent, you can maintain a career.
chocochip asks: How did you prepare for your role as Stringer Bell?
The preparation was mostly in the audition before I even got the role. I took the character apart based on the script and tried to glean what Stringer was about. Obviously I had to use a believeable accent for him because my British accent's pretty strong. I didn't consult anyone I just drew it all from the script. For me, consulting actual people in that role is more like mimicing and not as creative. I didn't want to mimic anyone, I wanted to make Stringer unique. Also, when I read the script, I noticed he's a business man... selling narcotics but a business man none the less who's possibly striving to go legitimate.
luvhbo66 asks: How do you determine if you've done a good job portraying your character?
Oh, the reactions from people I trust and fans of course. As an actor you never really know how well you've done until someone reacts to it. When you get scripts, the reactions from the characters are already there so you have knowledge of how your character should act. On set, you get reactions from crew on how well your scenes are done. When fans come to me and say "Oh yo, that was so good, Stringer is so cool..." that's important because it lets me know I'm communicating with them... which is my job to do.
AubrieAlexis: Give some character differences between you and Stringer.
Stringer is very calculating and he has to be for so many reasons. He calculates the next steps, shipments, inventory, pays workers... all that. But the wicked part is that he can plan murders as a regular job requirement. I'll tell you, if I, Idris, had to contract for murders as part of my job, I couldn't do it because I have a heart. I have no stomach for ordering other people's deaths. Stringer just gets in there, orders the deed and bam... that's it... it's done and he doesn't think twice about it. There's no way I could be that cold. I'm also a more lively kid out there, doing a variety of stuff and I can't just do one thing forever. Stringer is committed to his job and business so much so he doesn't have much of a personal life. As for me I have a child, a life, thirst for travel, you know I'm curious... whereas Stringer is more interested in being the best business person and his interests don't go further than that.
NinahSymone asks: If you could have created own ending for Stringer, what would it have been?
The only difference I would have made is that I would have had Stringer and Avon be in same position — on trial defending themselves. I'd show how meticulous Stringer was in the process to keep evidence away that could have put the two of them in jail. The result would be Stringer and Avon get off but D'Angelo would still go to jail. This would have created a great conflict between D'Angelo and Avon, forcing Avon to figure out how to keep convincing D'Angelo to take his twenty years. I also would have shown us waving at McNulty after the trial saying. "Catch us next time!"
ddawg1950 asks: What do you have in common with Stringer?
He's loyal and so am I, I'm very loyal. Although Stringer's loyal to Avon, he really wants to get out. However, Stringer's loyalty to Avon — is friend — is more important, at this point, than getting out. Stringer is also serious in how he carries himself and so am I. Even the clothes he wears are selected to not be too bold or flashy. I won't let you judge me on clothes I wear but it's important that you carry yourself in manner consistent with who you are. One of first things I realized as actor as when you walk into a room, how you carry yourself makes a difference before you even open your mouth. The more you can blend, the less attention people give you and Stringer achieves that.
fausettns asks: THE WIRE is advertised as a modern cops and robbers show but I think it goes deeper than that, I see it more as a class war. The have-nots in projects struggle to better themselves by any means necessary. Do you agree or not?
I agree and I believe it's the wars between power and non-power, you know? He who dares wins, he who doesn't loses. I also think it's more about who's got the power. In terms of the dealers, Omar's trying to stick up the established dealers and this is his way of upsetting the power structure. Doing that is what gives him power and makes people fear him. He's fearless and ferocious and knows that getting away with stealing from the "untouchable" dealers also powerful. With the cops, it's not always about the top man but it's also about those on the lower levels running their business and getting the job done. All of it is about power and hierarchy and where people decide to fit in within that structure.
shay05 asks: What made you decide that you wanted to be an actor?
I've always loved it and just did it, you know. Hard work, patience and the willingness to learn. All that led me to where I am now. I'm thankful for those that supported me in my work and gave me my chances.
wutang fan asks: How did your character impact the relationship between D'Angelo and Avon Barksdale?
I think D'Angelo wishes he had less of a bloodline connection with his uncle, Avon. Even though Stringer's commitment and loyalty are unquestioned, he's not blood related so Stringer can walk away or he can mess up and not have to deal with the consequences of "family ties". I think D'Angelo envies Stringer on that but at same time I think D'Angelo appreciates Stringer being there and the fact that he (D'Angelo) doesn't have Stringer's responsibilities. I think Avon appreciates Stringer and there's no replacing Stringer with D'Angelo. Actually, I don't think Avon wants any family member to have that much responsibility, not even his sister Brianna. Given that, Stringer's the official person to handle the business and that makes the Stringer/Avon/D'Angelo relationship work even better... as strong as a non-family bond can be.
KYMTOE asks: Mr. Elba, have you thought about any profession other than acting?
I have a deep interest in music and I'm currently pursuing some projects. Outside that my interests are in business. A friend of mine wants to open a chain of cinemas in West Africa, where there's tremendous growth potential. We're going to have the most successful line of cinemas there. I'm pursuing that definitely. (laughs)
stef22 asks: What were the specific elements of Stringer that compelled you to take the role once it was offered?
Wow, these questions are serious! Here was a chance to play a mountain of different roles molded into one. As a boy you dream of playing a gangster character who has all that power. Stringer is the embodiment of the powerful character who has successfully and charismatically eluded the police. Stringer is also sophisticated in his dealings with his boss, those under him, lawyers, cops and in his school classes. Of course one of the things about Stringer is that he doesn't laugh or smile much... which is opposite to me so that's pretty interesting itself.
sisterljr asks: In England do you find black British actors face the same obstacles in getting leading roles as American black actors do or are the obstacles different?
The biggest obstacle any black actor has with any role is if the part is really being written for him. In England, the obstacle is when a black actor gets a tv role, he often becomes the one of the few black actors selected to play the same roles in different shows. Rarely do producers take a chance on unknown actors and I think it's for mostly economical reasons. When 25% of TV viewers are black and rest are white, they don't feel they need to write for black characters. The black audience in England is so much smaller than here so they don't think they'll get the big financial return with a black show. At least here in the US, that's changed and hopefully, it will change in Britain as well.
playfulsexywear asks: Has your role as Stringer changed or influenced your views about America and African Americans?
Actually, my views opened up a bit. I had never been to Baltimore and had no idea of what was happening there. I'm not naive and I'd been coming to the US for 10 years but what we get in British media about the States is much different. However, I have found that living in New York people here really don't know what's going on in Baltimore. The poverty, respect for life and how folks are surviving was an eye-opener for me. It just opened up my mind to the variety of African Americans that exist here. I've seen images of kids in school, in sports and other areas doing well. But you don't see images of those who don't have those opportunities. It expanded my view that's for sure.
passionforpurple asks: Is there a comedic side to Idris? What kind of stuff makes you laugh?
I'd love to know the history of some of these names man... (laughs)... man, I wonder where they're coming from. (laughs) Oh yeah definitely. I have a keen sense of humor and it's built on irony. I find the comedic elements in simple everyday things but, it can also appear to be strange at times. I also love comedy movies and my favorite is 'The King of Comedy' with Robert DeNiro. De Niro is without a doubt one of the best and he influenced me to be an actor. What I like about him is that his acting is effortless and always comes across strong. He'll also go out of his way to change himself in order to make his characters real. Any actor may pretend to have a limp for a part but DeNiro... oh forget it... he will go GET a limp you know(!). (laughs) He's calmed that down now but he just paints the picture fresh. I enjoy watching his work.
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