Idris Elba to receive special Bafta TV award

Idris Elba is set to receive the Bafta special award for television later this month.

The prize is considered one of the academy’s highest honours, with Elba being recognised both for his craft and his commitment to championing diversity and upcoming talent.

Previous celebrities to have received the award include Sir Lenny Henry, Clare Balding and Cilla Black.

Elba will collect the accolade at the Bafta TV awards ceremony, which will be shown virtually on 31 July.

The Luther star said: ”It’s been a mission of mine to provide opportunity and access to emerging talent from diverse backgrounds in this industry, which is the same opportunity I received many years ago from open-minded and diversity conscious casting.

“I thank Bafta for recognising myself and others who are dedicated to the same cause, as these are all necessary steps towards helping to shift the awareness and understanding of the diversity gap in entertainment.”

Elba rose to fame in the 2000s for his portrayal of calculating drug lord Stringer Bell in the seminal HBO drama The Wire.

He has since starred in a number of Hollywood blockbuster films, BBC cop show Luther, and In the Long Run, a semi-autobiographical series created by Elba for Sky One.

Amanda Berry, Bafta’s chief executive, said Elba is “a driving force for championing diversity, ensuring talented people from all backgrounds achieve their potential”.

“We’re delighted to recognise Idris, and his outstanding work, at this year’s ceremony,” she added.

Read more

From How To Fail to My Dad Wrote A Porno: are we at peak podcast?

How films like Saint Frances are finally getting abortion right

Paapa Essiedu: ‘At drama school, a teacher shouted the N-word at me’