Quintin Jardine's blog

An every time question at my gigs is this: If Skinner was adapted for TV who would you want to play him?

Answer: Idris Elba.

When I say that, mostly the audiences smile, and nod, knowingly. Then I explain who he is, and most of them nod a lot harder. Having just watched the conclusion of the terrific second series of Luther on BBC1, my conviction is even firmer that he’s the man for the part. In a TV adaptation, skin tone and accent don’t matter a damn. You want the man who can present your character most powerfully; you want the best actor out there in that type of role. And Idris is the man.