Idris Elba To Star In Limited Series 'Guerrilla' From '12 Years A Slave' And 'American Crime' Writer John Ridley

Bastille DayIdris Elba already knows his way around high grade TV, coming to fame as the star of "Luther," and turning heads as Stringer Bell in "The Wire." And now the actor is getting another leading role on the small screen, this time in a limited event series with some very strong talent behind behind it.

The actor has signed up for "Guerrilla," the latest effort from John Ridley, who won an Oscar for "12 Years A Slave," and found his own success on television with the acclaimed "American Crime." Elba’s role in the show is being kept secret for now, but the story will center on a couple, active in the political underground of 1970s London, who liberate a political prisoner and target the Black Power Desk, a branch of counter-intelligence aimed at suppressing black activism. That sounds like some crackerjack stuff, so sign me up.

The six-part series is set up at Showtime, where Ridley will write, produce, and direct the first two episodes. This is definitely one to keep on your radar for 2017. [THR]