Idris Elba to join ‘The Office’

From Variety:

Thesp Idris Elba has been cast on “The Office” as a new rival to Dunder Mifflin regional manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell).

Elba, most recently seen in Guy Ritchie’s “Rocknrolla,” will appear in six episodes later this season. Details are slim on his plot line, other than he’ll play a no-nonsense hire at Dunder Mifflin’s corporate office who will throw Michael Scott into turmoil.

Link: Idris Elba gets ‘Office’ space

Tipster: Joe

18 comments

  1. Niiiice! I can’t wait! I guess those writers do love them some Wire. Yo, Stringer!

  2. Stringer Bell on The Office!! How cool is that? And how bizarre is that? (Is this an early April Fools Day prank?)

  3. For some reason I think this will be a total hit… I haven’t really seen Idris Elba act, but his picture on Variety’s article page, and the actual description, really just gave me a great mental picture of how things could go down.

    And it allows the writers to explore something that’s been bothering me: how David Wallace has been just so patient with Michael Scott.

    I will love to see this.

  4. It’s nice to know that at least one mainstream show is committed to giving Wire actors extended guest spots. I’ve fallen behind on episodes this season, but I’ll catch up in time for Elba’s episodes.

  5. He did a great job masking his British accent on ‘the wire.’ (Although, it was jarring to hear him on DVD commentary.)He would have to do it again, or risk being too intriguing and exotic for the Office.

  6. Stringer Bell!

    I must say, if you’re going to recruit actors, recruit them from “The Wire”! It worked out excellently with Amy Ryan! This makes me so excited!

  7. Holy crap! Stringer Bell! I can’t believe it! I’m so excited. The Wire is another one of my favorite shows! It’s gonna be so interesting to see him playing a comedic role.

  8. I look forward to seeing him trying to bring Robert’s Rules of Order to the staff meetings.

  9. I can’t believe they’re getting String to come on the show. Greg Daniels is an effing genius. Getting excellent, but low-profile actors to appear on the show like Amy Ryan and Idris Elba is so much better for the show than stunt-casting a la 30 Rock, Will and Grace, Friends, etc.

    I’m in class and read this, and had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom, because otherwise I’m afraid the need to high-five anyone within 6 meters of me would have been overwhelming, and possibly distressing for those who don’t–to their shame, of course–know who Idris Elba is.

  10. OMG, OMG…Stringer Bell. This is fantastic. He is a fantastic actor. I love that the crew’s love for The Wire is paying off.

  11. Idris Elba was also in an amazingly beautiful and heart wrenching HBO film called “Sometimes in April” about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He was superb in it. I cannot wait to see him in a comedic role.

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