Idris Elba Spent A Night In Prison Cell To Prep For A Role: ‘It Was A Scary Experience’

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Many actors will go beyond normal limits to accurately portray characters on screen. Some may subject themselves to intense workouts to build muscle for superhero roles, while others might alter their weight to match the appearance of specific characters. Actors playing real people often attempt to meet them if possible; for instance, Idris Elba once spent a night in prison for his role.

2013 saw Idris Elba portray Nelson Mandela in “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom,” a film adaptation of Mandela’s memoir written after his nearly three-decade imprisonment. To fully immerse himself in the role, Elba didn’t just visit prisons but managed to secure permission to spend an entire night within the very prison where Mandela was held. Elba elaborated on this experience…

In 2013, as I was gearing up to depict Nelson Mandela in the movie “Long Walk to Freedom”, I chose to spend a night in a cell at Robben Island, about 12km from Cape Town – where he had been imprisoned between 1964 and 1982. It wasn’t until that night that the magnitude of the 20 years of his life taken away from him truly hit me. I was granted a unique opportunity to embody this remarkable man, and prior to that evening, its significance hadn’t fully sunk in. I had to negotiate with the authorities to allow me to stay there, and they eventually consented.

Experiencing a shared confinement, witnessing familiar sights, and enduring common places, however briefly – like spending just one night together – can provide a glimpse into another’s reality, offering a hint at what their journey truly encompassed.

Generally speaking, many of us would prefer not to spend a moment in prison if given the option. While it’s possible that not being physically imprisoned could alter the experience for those involved, it appears that wasn’t the case with Idris Elba. He certainly didn’t seem to relish his one-night stay. The prison he stayed at is no longer operational, meaning he was alone there during his time, but this solitude might have made things even more uncomfortable. As Idris Elba continued…

This location is filled with distressing recollections and, without a doubt, seems to be haunted. During my stay, I heard unusual sounds all through the night, yet I was alone. My possessions were minimal – just a bucket, a thin mattress, and a blanket. They kept the lights burning because that was their old habit, and sleep eluded me. It was a harrowing encounter, but it undeniably strengthened my bond with Mandela.

It appears that the effort put into watching “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” was not wasted. Although it wasn’t a box office success or a critical favorite, Idris Elba’s portrayal of Mandela is considered one of his finest performances, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor at the time.

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2025-01-29 16:37