Idris Elba is ‘offered a £5million deal with Apple TV in the hope of rivalling Netflix’


Idris Elba has been offered a £5million deal with Apple TV’s streaming service in the hopes of rivalling Netflix, according to reports.

The actor, 47, is thought to have been offered the seven-figure sum by Jay Hunt, who commissioned hit-series Luther, and is now the European content chief for Apple.

A source told the Mirror: ‘Landing a heavyweight multi-talent like Idris who is not just an actor, but a producer, director and musician is a coup for Apple.

Impressive: Idris Elba has been offered a £5million deal with Apple TV’s streaming service in the hopes of rivalling Netflix, according to reports 

‘He’s universally liked, extremely talented, versatile, and will bring in the viewers globally. For both parties it’s a win, win situation.’ 

Idris is reportedly being lined up to help produce content for Apple’s TV Plus service which is being deemed the ‘Netflix killer’.

MailOnline has contacted Idris’s representatives for comment.  

It comes after Idris said he does not agree with censoring old sitcoms because of modern sensibilities about race.    

Rivalry: Idris is reportedly being lined up to help produce content for Apple's TV Plus service which is being deemed the 'Netflix killer' (stock image)

Rivalry: Idris is reportedly being lined up to help produce content for Apple’s TV Plus service which is being deemed the ‘Netflix killer’ (stock image)

Sitcoms including Little Britain, which came under fire because of the use of blackface make-up in some sketches, have been recently dropped from Netflix, BBC iPlayer and BritBox following backlash from viewers.

But Idris told the Radio Times. ‘I’m very much a believer in freedom of speech.’

‘Instead, there should be a ratings system warning viewers that a film or show has outdated, insulting viewpoints,’ he said.

While not referring to a specific programme, Elba said: ‘To mock the truth, you have to know the truth. But to censor racist themes within a show, to pull it… I think viewers should know that people made shows like this.

‘Commissioners and archive-holders pulling things they think are exceptionally tone-deaf at this time – fair enough and good for you.

Criticised: Little Britain has been removed from streaming sites because of scenes involving blackface, leading to a mixed reaction from viewers

Criticised: Little Britain has been removed from streaming sites because of scenes involving blackface, leading to a mixed reaction from viewers

‘But I think, moving forward, people should know that freedom of speech is accepted, but the audience should know what they’re getting into.’

‘I don’t believe in censorship,’ Elba added. ‘I believe that we should be allowed to say what we want to say. Because, after all, we’re story-makers.’

The In The Long Run actor said boosting diversity needs a change in attitude.

‘Money helps,’ he said, but added: ‘It’s a shift in attitude, in perspective, in tolerance. And you can’t put an amount on that.’

In an apparent reaction to the Black Lives Matter protests, Netflix pulled Little Britain from streaming services last month, along with Matt Lucas and David Walliams’ other comedy Come Fly With Me.

Recovered: Idris said that broadcasters should use a rating system to warn viewers about historic content that could be offensive (pictured in February 2018)

Recovered: Idris said that broadcasters should use a rating system to warn viewers about historic content that could be offensive (pictured in February 2018)

Then the BBC and BritBox both confirmed they had also decided to remove Little Britain saying ‘times have changed’ since the show first aired. 

Similarly, Bo’ Selecta, which impersonated black stars such as Craig David, Trisha Goddard and Michael Jackson has been removed from All 4 after creator Leigh Francis recently issued a tearful apology. It is, however, still available on Prime Video. 

It suggested an uncertain future for other popular comedy series which feature similar techniques, though many are still available to watch on streaming sites.  

The decision by Netflix to remove Lucas and Walliams’ two series sparked anger from subscribers to the service, who were annoyed when they discovered the two shows had been dropped. 

The move is likely to lead to calls for more outdated shows that may be seen as racist to be removed. 

Could the axe swing on more of Britain’s favourite comedies?

League of Gentlemen

Papa Lazarou features in League of Gentlemen, which is still available to watch on Neflix and iPlayer

Papa Lazarou features in League of Gentlemen, which is still available to watch on Neflix and iPlayer

Steve Pemberton and Mark Gattis’ BBC comedy features a character called Papa Lazarou – a blacked-up ringmaster who calls everybody Dave. He collects spouses by forcing his way into women’s homes posing as a humble peg-seller, then talks gibberish at them until they hand over their wedding rings, at which point he says: ‘You’re my wife now!’ League of Gentlemen is still available to watch on both Netflix and BBC iPlayer. 

Bo’ Selecta

Leigh Francis said he was 'deeply sorry' for the way he impersonated stars such as Trisha Goddard

Leigh Francis said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for the way he impersonated stars such as Trisha Goddard

Comedian Leigh Francis tearfully apologised for impersonating black stars such as Craig David, Trisha Goddard and Michael Jackson on his programme. Talk show host Trisha said it ’emboldoned a lot of casual racism’ while popstar David insists it ruined his life. Bo’ Selecta is no longer on All 4 but remains on Prime Video.

The Simpsons 

Apu has come under fire for perpetuating racial stereotypes

Apu has come under fire for perpetuating racial stereotypes 

Hank Azaria announced earlier this year he will no longer voice Indian immigrant and Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu on The Simpsons after 30 years. The South Asian character has come under fire for perpetuating racial stereotypes. The Simpsons is broadcast regularly on Channel 4 and can be streamed on Disney+.

Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry and Paul 

Nelson Mandela was parodied in Harry and Paul's sketch show

Nelson Mandela was parodied in Harry and Paul’s sketch show

Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse faced criticism in their sketch series for their depiction of Nelson Mandela appearing on adverts selling various narcotics and promoting shoplifting.

Rising Damp 

The character of Rupert Rigsby has also been criticised, but creator Eric Chappell defended him by saying he ‘was not a racist or a bigot, but he was prejudiced and suspicious of strangers’. There were also jokes about Leonard Rossiter’s character having a black medical student as a tenant. Rising Damp is still available to watch via Prime and ITV Hub. 

Facejacker

The prank call show often featured accents

The prank call show often featured accents

Channel 4’s show about prank calling often featured accents from ethnic minorities. Star Kayvan Novak previously said: ‘There’s a weird thing going on at the moment where the more extreme politics and people’s opinions get, the more it seems that comedy on TV is all about playing safe and not offending anyone, when it needs to hold up a mirror and go ‘this is what’s going on now’.’

Only Fools and Horses

Even perhaps Britain’s most beloved sitcom of all time has had to edit old episodes to remove politically incorrect dialogue, such as an episode where Del told a child to ‘pop down to the P**i shop’ – a line no longer broadcast in repeats.

The Two Ronnies

Another one of the nation’s all-time favourites. Many have felt uncomfortable about a sketch titled ‘The Sheikh in the Grocery Store’, which features Ronnie Corbett wearing dark makeup and an Arabic keffiyeh, mispronouncing the names of items on his shopping list. The Archway School in Gloucestershire had to apologise for showing the clip to parents after complaints were made. 

Fantasy Football League

David Baddiel as Jason Lee

David Baddiel as Jason Lee

Ex-Nottingham Forest star Jason Lee, who was often a target of ridicule on the 90s show, said David Baddiel’s depiction of him was ‘a form of bullying’.

The Mighty Boosh

Noel Fielding as 'The Spirit of Jazz'

Noel Fielding as ‘The Spirit of Jazz’

 Noel Fielding portrays ‘The Spirit of Jazz’ – a black, dreadlocked character in the BBC series, sparking much discussion over racism. Fielding has also been in hot water after a picture emerged of him painted black while dressed as tennis star Bjorn Borg.