Much like his Apple TV+ show “Hijack,” Idris Elba has shared an incident from his own life that involved a life-or-death situation. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, the British actor recounted a harrowing moment when he was held at gunpoint in the U.S. while attempting to intervene in a dispute between a couple. Elba revealed that he nearly lost his life after stepping in to stop a man from threatening his girlfriend outside a club.
According to Elba, the man was physically attacking his girlfriend and verbally abusing her. Elba approached the couple and defended the woman’s beauty, questioning why the man would speak to her in such a way. Unfortunately, the situation escalated when the man pulled out a gun and pointed it directly at Elba’s face. The man mistakenly assumed that Elba was trying to hit on his girlfriend.
Elba did not provide further details about what unfolded next or specify when this terrifying incident took place. However, he did admit that in that moment, he realized the importance of not engaging in negotiations in such a dangerous manner. He understood the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences that could have ensued.
In 2018, Elba spoke out about violence against women in response to criticism faced by his BBC show “Luther,” which was accused of portraying brutal acts towards female characters. Elba acknowledged the valid criticism and stated that efforts were made to address the issue. He mentioned that the show’s portrayal was a collaborative effort between himself, the writer Neil Cross, and the BBC, with a shared goal of achieving balance and fairness.
“Hijack” is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+.