Idris Elba has long expressed his desire to direct; it was in mi-2010 that he mentioned he was working with the BBC on a feature film project that was already being developed for him to helm some time in following year (2011), which would've been his directorial debut. He didn't share much at the time, other than to say that the BBC-commission film centered on a young girl – nothing more.
Skip ahead 2 1/2 years later, to a Sky TV report of all its new, upcoming programming, and a section in which it is announced that Elba will be making his TV directorial debut with a Sky Arts' Playhouse Presents feature titled The Pavement Psychologist, which Mr Elba also wrote the screenplay for!
The 30-minute drama will chronicle the intriguing relationship between an affable businesswoman and a charismatic homeless man.
The businesswoman will be played by Anna Friel (Public Enemies) and the charismatic homeless man will be played by, none other than, Nonso Anozie!
Rounding out the cast will be Idris' Luther co-star Steven Mackintosh, playing an office colleague of Anna Friel's at the successful London accounting firm they both work for, and Reggie Yates (Doctor Who – he's also black by the way) as Friel's stylish assistant.
The complex office dynamic unravels when Friel's character befriends Anozie's, subsequently exposing some uncomfortable truths about both Friel's work and private life.
Not much else is given, except to say that the story challenges social norms and sensitively examines the nuances of relationships.
The Pavement Chronicles joins a host of other acclaimed Playhouse Presents dramas and comedies that have seen talents like Emma Thompson portray Queen Elizabeth II in Walking The Dogs, as well as Jon Hamm and Daniel Radcliffe in the minisiries A Young Doctor's Notebook.
So it sounds like Idris and his project are in good company here!
According to Sky, the half-hour drama will debut this spring, but no exact date is given.
No trailer yet either; but we'll be watching this closely…
Nice to see the Idris/Nonso tag team there, and I'm looking forward to seeing what develops.
