Idris Elba on ‘Hijack’ and his home negotiation skills (Exclusive) – News Block

In his new series “Hijack,” Idris Elba stars as a corporate negotiator forced to use his skills to save a plane he finds himself on after a hijacking.

This role certainly differs from his decade-long stint as the ferocious criminal investigator on the hit British crime drama “Luther.” Idris shared with “Extra”‘s Megan Ryte how he thinks Luther would have handled this kidnapping.

“Luther would have waited for the kidnappers to pass and then he tripped them up and took the seat belt and put it around his neck and then elbowed him in the back of the head and then used it as a shield for the kidnappers. others will calm down. , because he is not playing at negotiating, talking nonsense. He is not like that.

As for what kind of dealmaker Idris is in business and at home with his wife Sabrina Dhowre, he revealed, “I’m a fair person. I’m a Virgo so I guess that makes me a fair person. We examine the pros and cons of everything. If you say, ‘No, you can’t have it,’ I’ll find a way to get what I want.”

Smiling, he added: “The business side is easier. The local team is tough”.

It was also difficult filming “Hijack” as all seven episodes take place in real time.

“It was the longest flight I ever took in my life,” said the actor. “It was six months of doing that program. I was claustrophobic. It was very hot and I couldn’t even change my shirt, not once.

He continued: “However, it was great. It was a real test of human nature and mind control. It was fun. It was nice to play with something really familiar, kidnapping, we’ve seen it in movies, but really turning it on its head.”

Idris added that while the story of “Hijack” is close to real-life events with airplanes, working on the show actually made him feel less scared about what could go wrong in the sky.

“I know more about flying a plane than some novice pilots, because I’ve had to learn what we’re doing, replicating the truth. I don’t think about it too much right now. I’m not afraid to fly. Even after this show, I’m less afraid of flying.”