Crimewatch beginning

Elba's first acting gig was as portraying a murderer in a reconstruction scene in BBC’s 'Crimewatch'. Despite many actors not wanting to admit they appeared on the show, Idris was proud of his first on-screen role back in the 1990s and said he was “thankful” for the opportunity.

He said: “It sounds weird but, at the time, getting a job on 'Crimewatch' was the first rung on the ladder.

“A lot of actors don’t like to admit they did 'Crimewatch', but I’m not embarrassed by it.”