Idrissa Elba was born on September 6, 1972 in Hackney, London. He is a British television, theatre, and film actor.

Elba started acting in secondary school with encouragement from his drama teacher. He got his break as a supporting cast member of UK soap opera Family Affairs and in the HBO drama series The Wire.

He appeared in Tyler Perry's, Daddy's Little Girls (2007), 28 Weeks Later (2007), American Gangster (2007) and This Christmas (2007).

Filmography

• The Human Contract (2008)
• Prom Night (2008)
• RocknRolla (2008)
• The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (2008)
• This Christmas (2007)
• American Gangster (2007)
• "Queens Supreme" (1 episode, 2007)
• 28 Weeks Later (2007)
• The Reaping (2007)
• Daddy's Little Girls (2007)
• All in the Game (2006)
• The Gospel (2005)
• World of Trouble (2005)
• "Jonny Zero" (1 episode, 2005)
• Sometimes in April (2005)
• "Girlfriends" (1 episode, 2005)
• "The Wire" (37 episodes, 2002-2004)
• "CSI: Miami" (1 episode, 2003)
• "Soul Food" (1 episode, 2003)
• One Love (2003)
• "Hack" (1 episode, 2002)
• "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" (1 episode, 2002)
• "Law & Order" (1 episode, 2001)
• Buffalo Soldiers (2001)
• Sorted (2000)
• "In Defence" (2000)
• "Dangerfield" (12 episodes, 1999)
• Belle maman (1999)
• "Ultraviolet" (1998)
• "Verdict" (1 episode, 1998)
• "Family Affairs" (2 episodes, 1997-1998)
• "Silent Witness" (2 episodes, 1997)
• - Blood, Sweat and Tears: Part 2 (1997)
• Behind the Mask (1997)
• Spiders and Flies (1996)
• "Ruth Rendell Mysteries" (1 episode, 1996)
• Heartstones (1996)
• "The Governor" (1995)
• "Absolutely Fabulous" (1 episode, 1995)
• "Bramwell" (1995)
• "Space Precinct" (1 episode, 1994)
• "2point4 Children" (1 episode, 1994)