Like so many people who simply haven’t had time, what with their “lives” and other excuses, The Wire star Idris Elba has yet to watch The Wire, what with his being way too busy starring on The Wire. “I’ve never watched The Wire,” Elba admits in his new Playboy interview. “I’ve seen a full episode at screenings but never at home. I’ve never watched an entire season. I’ve not seen any episode of season 2, most of season 3, and none of seasons 4 and 5.”
As the interviewer admirably does not immediately interrupt with a monologue on how he could maybe see skipping season two—even if it is underrated—but that he has to watch season four, at least, it’s incredible, and man, Idris Elba, wait until you see what happens to Idris Elba’s character in season three, Elba was allowed to elaborate. “I’m supercritical of my own work,” he explains. “As an actor, if you’re being told how wonderful you are, what do you need to strive for? I don’t know if I’m good just because some critic says I am in the press… The Golden Globe award told me that, thanks. And the two Emmy nominations. Just the small things.”
Also of interest is Elba discussing his rap career (as King Driis), in which he’s presented with his lyrics like, “Dick thick like homemade butter / Show you parts of your pussy that you ain’t discovered” that prompt him to reply, “When it’s read back to me like that, I’m mortified that such trife could come out of my mind.” Still, probably not as mortifying as the coming days, as everyone he meets tells Idris Elba that he should really see The Wire, what’s wrong with you.