Idris Elba has cut his teeth and carved his own lane in Hollywood by playing mostly dramatic roles. However, fresh off the record-breaking Season 5 premiere of his BBC crime drama, Luther, everyone’s favorite detective is unleashing his comedic side.
Netflix has unveiled the release date for Elba’s upcoming comedy series, Turn Up Charlie. The eight episode series, co-created and executive produced by Elba and Gary Reich, is set to premiere on March 15.
A radical departure from his titular role of Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, Turn Up Charlie will see Elba tackle a role he’s all too familiar with in his real life: a DJ. Elba is set to play Charlie, who is a struggling DJ when he decides to become a nanny for his best friend’s daughter, Gabby. However, Charlie watches the tables turn when he learns that Gabby is a problem child.
For those unfamiliar, Elba moonlights as a DJ under the pseudonyms DJ Big Driis and Big Driis the Londoner. He has a DJ in nightclubs since he was 19 years old. In fact, the London-bred star got his start as a DJ in 1986 when he helped out with his uncle’s wedding DJ business. Playing a DJ-turned-nanny in a Netflix comedy is also perfect timing for Elba, as the Emmy nominated actor was announced as one of the performers for this year’s Coachella Music Festival. Turn Up Charlie also stars Golden Globe-nominated actress Piper Perabo, Frankie Hervey, JJ Feild, Angela Griffin, Guz Khan, Jocelyn Jee Esein, Jade Anouka, Cameron King and Dustin Demri-Burns.
Turn Up Charlie is also directed by Tristram Shapeero and Matt Lipsey. Check out the first look photos for Idris Elba-led comedy below.
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