As jet-fuelled thriller Hijack season 2 arrives, here are 7 reasons to love Sir Idris Elba

Idris Elba has been considered for the James Bond role for years, but it’s sadly no longer realistic – he’s a bit older than Daniel Craig, who recently aged out of the part. Despite this, everyone still adores Sir Idris Elba and hopes he lands a fantastic role. We do too!

With the return of Idris Elba’s thrilling series Hijack (now streaming on Apple TV+), we’re taking a moment to highlight all the reasons why he’s so celebrated.

1. He’s not a nepo baby – he made it his own way

He spent his childhood in East London, growing up in both Hackney and Canning Town. A grant from The King’s Trust helped him join the National Youth Music Theatre, which launched his career. Before finding success, he worked various jobs, including fitting tires and making cold calls, to support himself.

2. His first role was in AbFab

Okay, so in season three, episode three – it’s called ‘Sex’ – you absolutely have to see Idris Elba play this character, who’s just credited as a ‘gigolo’! Honestly, even before this episode, everyone had noticed what a total knockout this 6’2″ guy was. He really stood out!

3. He doesn’t shy away from politics

It’s common for celebrities to avoid discussing politics, worried they’ll upset fans. Idris Elba isn’t one of them. When the government previously considered cutting housing support for young adults, he spoke out strongly, saying, “Seriously, no one should be homeless – it’s just wrong. And no one should be hungry.”

He’s a passionate advocate for greater diversity in film and television. He’s also been recognized for his work fighting knife crime, having been appointed an Anti-Crime Ambassador by the Prince’s Trust.

4. He’s a proficient and talented DJ

Many celebrities enjoy trying their hand at DJing, but most quickly realize it’s not their strength. Idris Elba is different – he’s a serious DJ known as Big Driis, with a successful music career. He’s released his own tracks, earned a Billboard Music Award nomination, and even worked with Paul McCartney. In 2024, he took things a step further by starting his own record label.

5. He cares. No, he really cares.

Idris is truly committed to the causes he supports – he doesn’t just talk about them, he actively works to make a difference. Having been diagnosed with dyslexia later in life, he helped create the Talking Scripts app to assist others with reading scripts. His passion for Africa inspired him to establish the Akuna Group, a media company dedicated to showcasing African stories and advancing its technology.

6. The important awards bodies all recognise the talent

He’s been named ‘Sexiest Man’ by both Essence magazine (2013) and People magazine (2018), and even won ‘Rear of the Year’ in 2017. That’s not even mentioning his many prestigious awards like Baftas, Emmys, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild awards.

7. He’s building a film studio in Zanzibar

We felt Zanzibar deserved a special mention – and gave us a chance to actually write the name ‘Zanzibar’!

The Tanzanian government has allowed him to construct a film studio in Zanzibar, the islands where Freddie Mercury was born. This project is central to his goal of strengthening filmmaking resources throughout Africa, as previously mentioned.

Season two, episode one of Hijack is available to stream on Apple TV now.

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available, and it’s dedicated to the incredible Dolly Parton! You can purchase ‘Dolly at 80’ from newsagents or online for only £8.99.

2026-01-14 16:19