Luther star Idris Elba is to compete in motor rallying, powerboating and aerobatic flying events for a TV documentary series.
The actor, who also starred in the Wire and Long Walk to Freedom, picked up five speeding tickets while competing in the Gumball 3,000 Rally in an Aston Martin DB9 in 2010. He will attempt to master a different form of racing in each of the four episodes of the Discovery Channel series.
Elba will visit the Monte Carlo Rally and is eying up competing in the Circuit of Ireland Rally for the show, which is also to be filmed in other locations around the British Isles, in Florida and California.
One of Elba’s mentors will be Jimmy McCrae, five times British rally champion and father of the late Colin McRae, to get him up to speed for rally driving.
Each episode will open with Elba visiting a major competition in each of the four disciplines he will tackle – rally driving, street racing, aerobatics and speed boating – as well as learn about the engineering, science and history behind each sport. “I’m taking on the toughest racing challenges of my life,” he said.
“Along the way I’ll meet extraordinary individuals, spectacular machines and hear amazing stories of how far people go to satisfy their love of speed. The extreme challenges will take me right out of my comfort zone as I compete against the best on land, water and in the air.”
The series will start filming in January and will air on Discovery Channel in 220 territories worldwide in mid-2015. It has been commissioned by the UK arm of Discovery Networks and will be co-produced by Green Door Pictures, Elba’s production company, and Shine North.
“This landmark series will take viewers on a journey with Idris to experience the adrenaline rush and thrill of speed, a passion for him and our audience,” said Susanna Dinnage, managing director at Discovery Networks UK & Ireland.
Elba previously fronted BBC2 documentary King of Speed, in which he explored how motor racing has evolved both on the track and on the street.
Earlier this month the BBC announced it is to bring back Elba’s maverick detective John Luther for two special episodes next year. The show is also about to be remade by Fox in the US, with Elba acting as an executive producer.
