Idris Elba: racist backlash made speculation over James Bond ‘disgusting’

Star of The Wire and Luther says playing 007 would be the pinnacle of an actor's career, but the discussion became off-putting'

Idris Elba has said that the racist backlash to the prospect of him being cast as James Bond made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting".

Elba was speaking on the SmartLess podcast about the continued speculation linking him to the role, saying: I was super complimented for a long time about this. We're all actors and we understand that role is one of those coveted [roles] ... Being asked to be James Bond [would be] like: OK, you've sort of reached the pinnacle'. That's one of those things the whole world has a vote in."