
Idris Elba says he didn’t know Stringer Bell was going to die… and admits he’s never watched “The Wire.”
Idris Elba: “I didn’t ever meet the real character. I took my inspiration for Stringer from people I knew in the UK. Gangsters that were more suits and smiles than, “Yo.””
Idris Elba: “They were understated, listened more than they talked, and moved with grace instead of trying to be big and tough all the time.”
Idris Elba: “The scene where Stringer dies… It was a really tough scene to shoot because I didn’t know Stringer was going to die in that episode.”
Idris Elba: “I was like, “What? Wait… what? He dies? What do you mean? It was quite a surprise. I think it was a good move for the show.”
Host: “Looking back on the show, how do you think it holds up 20 years later?”
Idris Elba: “Famously, I haven’t seen it. I’ve seen some parts of it, I think it holds up. The writing was so good, and the perspective of that part of America was crystal clear.”
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