Up Next: Idris Elba Wants to Star in West End Musical!

According to the New York Post, Idris Elba, who starred in Off-Broadway's Troilus & Cressida in 2001, hopes to return to the stage following his hit film, "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." The actor studied at the distinguished National Youth Theatre in the UK prior to launching his film and TV career.

The actor appeared at a Sushisamba party held at London's Heron Tower for the Brooklyn Nets, who hopped over the Atlantic to play the Atlanta Hawks at London's O2 Arena. According to the report, Elba was overheard saying he was "looking for a musical in London" to work on next while chatting with other guests at the event.

Elba is perhaps best known for his role as the calculating de facto leader of a Baltimore drug empire in HBO's critically acclaimed original series "The Wire." In 2005, he received an Image Award nomination for his work on the series. Also for HBO, Elba starred in the movie "Sometimes In April," from director Raoul Peck. Set during the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the movie marked his first film starring role. Elba played a Hutu soldier who tries to save his Tutsi wife and family, earning another Image Award nomination for his performance.

Elba most recently starred in the "Daddy's Little Girls," with Gabrielle Union under the direction of Tyler Perry. He next stars in the horror thriller "28 Weeks Later," the much-anticipated sequel to the zombie hit "28 Days Later," which is due out in May 2007. Additionally, he recently completed production on Ridley Scott's "American Gangster," with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, and is currently filming the holiday comedy "This Christmas."

Elba's other film credits include "The Gospel," for director Rob Hardy; "Buffalo Soldiers," with Joaquin Phoenix and Ed Harris; and "Beautiful Mother," with Catherine Deneuve.

On television, Elba has guest starred on such series as "Law & Order" and "CSI: Miami," and starred in the Sci-Fi Channel miniseries "Ultraviolet." In his native England, he starred in the recent Channel 4 telefilm "All in the Game," and earlier guest starred on a number of series, including the BBC's "Silent Witness" and "Dangerfield."