Idris Elba Doesn't Want To Be Called A "Black Actor" Anymore, And Here's Why
British heartthrob Idris Elba has starred in a variety of TV shows and films, and he has been in the industry for years. However, he recently said that he is no longer referring to himself as a "black actor," and he explained why he feels like this term is holding him back in his career.
From Beast to The Suicide Squad to The Wire, Idris Elba has starred in a wide variety of shows and movies. He even starred in a few episodes of The Office. Born and raised in the UK with dual citizenship in Sierra Leone, Idris has been nominated for multiple awards and is known for his wide range of acting. He's one of those actors that you might expect to fall in line with the mainstream narrative about racism being prevalent in Hollywood and Western society, but in 2020 he shocked many people when he said that he doesn't believe in censorship—even when it comes to movies and shows that have "racist themes." His latest interview indicates that he has shed the label of "black actor" because he feels like it's not doing anything positive for his career.