Idris Elba talks ‘awkward’ sex scene with Gemma Arterton in 100 Streets

Speaking at the London premiere for the movie last night, the 44-year-old star explained: “Actually, to be really, really candid with you that was the first time I was asked to wear a little sock and brown tape.”

He went on to say: “Love scenes though are definitely challenging, Gemma is a pro and [director] Jim O’Hanlon gave us a skeleton set, so it just made it a lot easier to do. But it’s always difficult to do."

Idris plays the fictional former England rugby captain Max Moore in 100 Streets, whose life is spiralling out of control after he is caught having an affair with his children’s nanny and he is fading out of the limelight in the London-set film.

Gemma, 33, plays Max’s scorned wife Emily, who is coming to terms with his infidelity and trying to find direction in her own life. The love scene happens when Max and Emily have a brief moment of weakness and appear to reconcile. 

“The awkwardness of the situation,” Idris began, as he continued: “I think by that point we had shot all the key scenes. And Gemma is not a method actor, but it’s not like her and I chatted away and then do a scene. We’re cool but that particular day it was awkward and then the scene was awkward and we used the energy.”

The independent film marks a departure for Idris, who is more like to be seen in big-budget blockbuster franchises. However, Idris said he wanted to do 100 Streets because of the uniqueness of the role and also let out some of his own personal “demons”.

100 Streets has been written by newcomer Leon Butler, who persuaded the A-lister to read the script and leading Idris to become an executive producer on the film as well as starring in it. 

“When I read that role, it was an interesting cusp for me in my personal life, there’s an interesting thing that happened to me,” he said.

Idris continued: “I really wanted to explore how I can understand that a little bit, maybe get out some of my own demons as an actor that’s been around for ages. I kind of related to the character and I just wanted to explore that.” 

The film also stars Ken Stott, Downton Abbey star Tom Cullen, Kierston Wareing, Charlie Creed-Miles and Franz Drameh and is a celebration of London’s diversity thanks to its intersecting storylines.

Comparing the London of 100 Streets with other depiction, Idris said: “I think we’ve seen a lot of films where London becomes like a caricature, a backdrop. It’s not an actual film, it’s a more a fantasy film - old London and modern London. Actually seeing streets in London or the backdrop in Luther we use London as a massive character, in our show we stylise it. 

“In this film it was very much Jim’s vision to become part of the film which you really feel.”

When asked whether he was worried about tolerance in London post-Brexit, Idris said it was “hard to answer” because the decision to leave the European Union was “an English issue” with “wider parameters”. 

He explained: “I think London wanted to stay in and I think that’s how we tried to vote. Post the vote, again it’s hard for me to really answer that. But I will say in film our responsibility as much as we can is to keep diversity as alive as possible.”

100 Streets is out in cinemas on November 11.