Idris Elba reveals why he’s ready to quit acting

Idris Elba is thinking about his next chapter in Hollywood and it may not include acting.

According to Daily Mail, the ‘Luther star’ shared that he plans to step away from acting one day to focus fully on directing, speaking during a Q&A at the 2025 Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia.

"I've been acting for a long time. I love it still, but I think directing allows me to flex slightly different muscles and be part of the set in a different way," Elba told the audience, saying he “really enjoys” the creative freedom behind the camera.

Elba was at the festival to promote Dust to Dreams, a short film he directed featuring musician Seal. He previously directed the 2018 crime drama Yardie and said he hopes fans understand his desire to shift careers.

“I'm hoping my fan base as an actor isn't mad at me. Eventually I want to transfer to be a director fully," he said.

The actor also revealed he served as cameraman on his latest project, This Is How It Goes, his adaptation of the 2005 Neil LaBute play, which he filmed in Ghana.