Climbing The Wire to success

After taking the first step on the acting ladder to success, it was onwards and upwards for Elba who continued to land numerous jobs.

In 1994, he appeared in a BBC drama called ‘The Boot Street Band’ before going on to land a more significant role on medical drama ‘Bramwell’ in 1995.

That same year Elba also starred in Jennifer Saunders popular sitcom ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, which was his first named role.

But the part that changed his life was playing dealer Stringer Bell in HBO crime drama 'The Wire'.

The show started in 2002 and ended in 2008, and made him a major player in the process.