Idris Elba joins forces with 'brightest new talent' for BBC Three collaboration

Idris Elba is joining forces with up and coming actors and writers for a new series of five short films for BBC Three, which will highlight issues surrounding identity.

The Luther actor will appear in the collection of five-minute long shorts entitled Five by Five - a joint effort by his production company Green Door Pictures and BBC Studios.

Elba will star alongside leading cast members Georgina Campbell, Michael Ajao, Ben Tavassoli, Ruth Madeley and Sope Dirisu in the London-based films.

Each standalone piece will focus on chance encounters people face, questioning identity and looking to change perception.

The films have been written by Cat Jones, who penned BBC iPlayer short drama Flea, and new writers Lee Coan, Namsi Khan, Selina Lim and Nathaniel Price.

Elba described the scripts for the individual pieces as "uplifting and incredible" and praised the "talented" writers for their contribution.

He said: "With this group of young actors now attached to star, BBC Three viewers are in for an absolute blast. I couldn't be prouder of what they have achieved."

Damien Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three, said: "This BBC Three collaboration with Idris and Green Door gives opportunities to some of the best and brightest new talent to work with some of the biggest and most established talent around.

"It's a win win for everyone involved and I'm delighted BBC Three can be part of something like this."

In February this year, BBC Three became the first TV channel to switch to online, in a move that director general of the BBC Tony Hall called "risky" but innovative.

The channel aims to entertain and educate viewers in a 16-34 age bracket with original and contemporary British comedy and drama programmes, as well as provocative and informative documentaries focusing on current affairs.