Idris Elba scours Hackney for paid extras to appear in new film
Local lad: actor Idris Alba at a recent Ebola conference. Photograph: Jessica Lea/DFID via Wikimedia Commons
You could be in with the chance to work with Hackney boy turned Hollywood star Idris Elba, as he is searching for paid extras to act in a new film set in Hackney.
Although the story of the film is still shrouded in mystery, what we do know is that the movie will be based on the borough’s African Caribbean community and set in 1983. However, the actor-turned-director has not yet posted any other details on social media.
Elba was born in Hackney in 1972 after his mother moved to London from Ghana, and his father from Sierra Leone, spending the first 11 years of his life there before moving to Canning Town.
It appears that Hackney is close to the Luther star’s heart – as he said to Destination Hackney in 2012, “Hackney is very dear to me, it was where I learned to ride my bike and London Fields was my park of choice.”
The London lad has also had a block in an affordable housing scheme in Andrew Street, E8, named after him – ‘Elba House’ – and was invited to open it.
As Elba moved away from the town in 1983, perhaps the film will be a love letter to his home town and a chance for him to reminisce about his childhood.
Auditions will be held by Key Casting on May 8 from 4-9PM at the Whitmore Community Centre, N1 5NU, and you must be over 16, be legally allowed to work in the UK and have a full UK driving license. Attendees will be provided with further details about the project on the day.
Me!!!! From E.7 the Ends X
Sign me in … i would love to participate
I’m from hackney, but no driving license
I was born in Salone, play music with Ghanaians and boya from Hackney. Idris, if you need a middleaged character who can act and perform, I’m your man. Ign me in.
Referee: Collins Archie-Pearce.
Sign me in
Fantastic thing in what you are going (remembering where you came from ) and then giving others the opportunity to be apart of something so great.
I would love to participate. The eighties was my favourite era
80s my era E8 – Hackney / Holly Street .
My son 90s – E9- good for the up and coming youths to see how hard things were then …but acceptable /manageable with life looking up as opposed to NOW …youths feeling the negative vibe and embracing it , thinking there’s no other way ….in terms of financies it was easier then without really realising it !!!
Wow how exciting and very interesting. I am a Hackney resident, moved to the borough in the 80’s and raised a family in Dalston. I love Hackney and so proud to live and work as a fitness instructor in the most vibrant and multi cultural borough. Being in Dalston for over 30 years I have seen a lot of changes and heard a lot of stories.
I would love to be considered as an extra as I would treasure an experience like this. In 2012 I participated in the Olympics open ceremonies as a dancer/performer for the Olympic Games opening ceremonies, an experience I will treasure for ever.
I really hope that I will be considered for this project.
Wow down the road from me I need a pt job
I would also love to participate. I’m 50 plus, natural salt and pepper hair, enthusiastic, willing to be in background (extra) and learn
Its a shame the casting went bad after numbers grew to unexpected amounts?! How is it unexpected i do not know. Security was very low. No barriers and a venue that was too small.
Idris Alba is not a small time name. How was this not thought out?
I hope i still get my chance to work with such a great actor.
This was not organised at all. Actually, I lie. The queue of patient Londoners was very organised, even though there was not an official representing “Key Casting” or the production company to be seen. A complete waste of our time and money.
Idris should make a film about how similar our council is to a Mafia. They rob, steal, destroy peoples homes and lives, run smear campaigns against any that oppose them. Then they have a Mayor Glanville who protects them from any form of investigation.