Idris Elba Set To Produce And Narrate WW2 Documentary

The docuseries “The Color Of Victory: Heroes Of World War II” on National Geographic will be produced and narrated by Idris Elba.

The 51-year-old celebrity is excited to bring attention to the stories of these unsung warriors of color who served at Dunkirk, Pearl Harbor, and D-Day during the Second World War. The film will be produced by October Film and the actor’s Green Door Pictures.

Idris, whose grandpa served in the military, described how October approached him with the idea for the documentary after showing him photographs of troops from the conflict and asking, “What do you think is missing from these pictures?”

The ‘Luther’ actor replied: “The answer of course was people of colour and I realised I didn’t know any stories about them from World War Two.

“So this felt like a genuinely fresh and original way into a perennial subject.”

The show will use professional dramatization, character portraits, and archival material to center each episode on three distinct individuals.

Idris will also draw attention to the direct connection between their wartime experiences and the post-war campaigns for the liberation and equality of people of color around the world.

The “Molly’s Game” actor previously collaborated with National Geographic on the 2013 documentary “King of Speed,” which explored the history of underground racing and the influence of the quest for speed on the present motorsports industry.

Idris recently disclosed that he has been receiving therapy for a year as a result of his work compulsion.

On the “Changes” podcast, he said: “I’ve been in therapy for about a year now. It’s a lot.

“In my therapy, I’ve been thinking a lot about changing, almost to the point of neuropathy being changed and shifting. It’s not because I don’t like myself or anything like that, it’s just because I have some unhealthy habits that have really formed.

“And I work in an industry where I’m rewarded for those unhealthy habits, I’m rewarded for that.”

Idris once found himself working for 10 days straight on a film set and spent his downtime relaxing in his music studio instead of being with his family.

He added: “Whether it’s to be selfish, or (because) I’m a workaholic. I’m an absolute workaholic, and that isn’t great for life generally.”