Idris Elba is set to take a £5million bite out of Apple.
That’s what the tech giant is offering the Luther star in a battle with its biggest rival.
Elba, 47, is being lined up to make shows and films for its ‘ Netflix killer’ streaming service Apple TV Plus.
It’s part of a big online push by the iPhone firm which has just aired Tom Hanks’ Second World War movie Greyhound exclusively and has the rights to Jennifer Aniston’s ‘Me Too drama’ The Morning Show.
The deal is a massive coup for East Londoner Idris who has come a long way since his debut in forgotten 90s Channel 5 soap Family Affairs.
He has starred in major TV shows such as BBC detective series Luther – which won him a Golden Globe – and US drugs drama The Wire, as well as a string of movies including Prometheus, Thor and Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
Elba has even been tipped to become the first black James Bond.
An insider said: “Landing a heavyweight multi-talent like Idris who is not just an actor, but a producer, director and musician is a coup for Apple.
“He’s universally liked, extremely talented, versatile, and will bring in the viewers globally. For both parties it’s a win, win situation.”
The deal has been led by Jay Hunt, who commissioned Luther while at the BBC and is now the European content chief for Apple.
Elba has been building up his own production company, Green Door Pictures which launched his Netflix sitcom, Turn Up Charlie.
It also produced his comedy In The Long Run, now on its third series, which he stars in on Sky.
