The following is a list of awards and nominations received by Idris Elba.
Idris Elba is an English actor known for his roles in film and television. He has received a Golden Globe Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards as well as nominations for a British Academy Film Award, a British Academy Television Award and eight Primetime Emmy Awards.
For his role as DCI John Luther in the BBC One series Luther (2010–2019) he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film as well as a four nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. He was also Emmy-nominated for his guest role as a painter and romantic interest in Showtime comedy-drama series The Big C (2011) and for his leading role as a corporate business negotiator in Apple TV+ thriller series Hijack (2024).
On film, he portrayed a ruthless and charismatic warlord in the Netflix drama Beasts of No Nation (2015) for which he received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role as well as nominations for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. He portrayed Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
Major associations BAFTA Awards Year Category Nominated work Result British Academy Film Awards 2015 Best Actor in a Supporting RoleBeasts of No Nation British Academy Television Awards 2016 Best Actor Luther
Critics' Choice Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Critics' Choice Television Awards 2012 Best Actor in a Miniseries or MovieLuther 2016 Critics' Choice Super Awards 2022 Best Villain in a Movie The Harder They Fall 2026 Best Actor in an Action Series Hijack
Emmy Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Primetime Emmy Awards 2011 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series The Big C Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Luther 2012 Luther 2014 Luther 2016 Luther 2024 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Hijack 2025 Outstanding Narrator Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color 2026Outstanding MovieHeads of State
Golden Globe Awards Year Category Nominated work Result 2010Best Actor – Miniseries or Television FilmLuther 2011 2013 Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Black Panther star, Idris Elba to present awards at Golden Globe - Pulse Nigeria 2015 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Beasts of No Nation Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Luther
Screen Actors Guild Awards Year Category Nominated work Result 2007Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture American Gangster 2015Beasts of No Nation Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Luther
Miscellaneous awards Organizations Year Category Work Result BET Awards 2007BET Award for Best Actor Daddy's Little Girls 2008 This Christmas / American Gangster / 28 Weeks Later 2009 RocknRolla / The Unborn 2010 The Losers 2011 Takers / Luther 2012 Thor / Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance / Luther 2014 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom / Thor: The Dark World 2015 Luther / No Good Deed Black Reel Award2005 Best ActorThe Gospel Best Actor in a TV Movie Sometimes in April 2009 Best Ensemble Takers 2012 Best Actor in a TV Movie Luther 2017 Best Voice Performance The Jungle Book Best Voice Performance Zootopia Best Voice Performance Finding Dory 2018 Best Supporting Actor Molly's Game 2019 Best Actor in a Comedy Series Turn Up Charlie Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie Luther Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Saturday Night Live Outstanding Emerging Director Yardie Outstanding Independent Film 2022 Best Supporting Actor The Harder They Fall 2023 Best Voice Performance Sonic the Hedgehog 2 2024 Best Actor in a Drama Series Hijack The Game Awards 2023 Best Performance Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Kids' Choice Award 2016 Favorite Villain Star Trek Beyond Gotham Independent Film Awards 2021Ensemble Tribute Award The Harder They Fall NAACP Image Award 2005 Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Sometimes in April 2009 Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Obsessed 2011 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Takers Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Luther 2014 Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Luther 2017 Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance The Jungle Book 2020 Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special Luther 2021 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series In the Long Run 2022 Outstanding Supporting Actor The Harder They Fall 2024 Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Hijack 2026 Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture A House of Dynamite Satellite Award 2010Best Actor in a Miniseries or MovieLuther 2011 2012 Saturn Award 2022 Best ActorThe Suicide Squad
Festival and critics awards Organizations Year Category Work Result Berlin International Film Festival 2018 Panorama Award Yardie Capri Hollywood International Film Festival 2013 Best Actor Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Indiana Film Journalists Association 2015 Best Supporting ActorBeasts of No Nation Independent Spirit Awards 2015 Best Supporting Male 2025 Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary SeriesErased: WW2's Heroes of Color London Critics Circle Film Awards 2016 British/Irish Actor of the YearBeasts of No Nation Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 2015 Best Supporting Actor
References