Idris Elba to Take on World's Toughest Racing Challenges for Discovery Channel

(London, England): Golden Globe-winning and Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer Idris Elba is to push his body, mind and engineering know-how to the limit by racing on land, water and in the air for a new 4x60 TV series for Discovery, announced today.

THE IDRIS ELBA PROJECT (W/T) is a Discovery Networks UK commission. Produced by Shine North and Idris Elba's production company Green Door Pictures, it will broadcast on Discovery in mid-2015 in the United States and more than 220 countries and territories.

Idris will immerse himself in rally driving, street racing, aerobatics and power boating to master not only the discipline of racing, but also the engineering, science and history behind it.

He will join professional teams, take on challenges, receive coaching by some of the world's leading drivers and pilots and meet fellow speed freaks to share their secrets of how to get every last ounce of power out of his machines.

Each episode starts with Idris visiting a renowned motor sport competition, shot on locations across Florida, California and the British Isles, that will inspire his mission to take on some of the toughest racing disciplines in the world.

To push his car, plane or boat to the utter limit, Idris gets under the bonnet and miles under his belt to prepare for the big race day that will see him go head to head with the professionals.

Idris Elba, said: "I'm taking on the toughest racing challenges of my life for this new Discovery TV series. Along the way I'll meet extraordinary individuals, spectacular machines and hear amazing stories of how far people go to satisfy their love of speed. The extreme challenges will take me right out of my comfort zone as I compete against the best on land, water and in the air."

Susanna Dinnage, EVP & MD at Discovery Networks UK & Ireland, said: "This landmark series will take viewers on a journey with Idris to experience the adrenaline rush and thrill of speed, a passion for him and our audience. The series embodies Discovery Channel's 'Make Your World Bigger' brand promise and will go behind the scenes to take viewers to the heart of Idris' adventure."

Alex Connock, MD of Shine North said: "This has all the makings of a challenging and thrilling project - to watch, to star in, to make. We're delighted to be working with Idris again - and to be given such a fantastic global opportunity with Discovery. "

The series was commissioned by Elizabeth McIntyre, VP Production & Development Factual, Discovery Networks International. Victoria Noble is the Executive Producer for Discovery and Rick Murray is the Executive Producer for Shine North. Shine North and Green Door Pictures agreed an exclusive factual programming deal earlier this year.

About Idris Elba

Idris was most recently seen starring as Nelson Mandela in The Weinstein Company biopic Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination and an NAACP Image Award nomination. In September 2014, he starred in and executive produced No Good Deed, a thriller also starring Taraji Henson.

Elba most recently completed production for Pierre Morel's The Gunman, alongside Sean Penn and Javier Bardem, Beasts of No Nation with director Cary Fukunaga and A Hundred Streets which he also produced. He is currently in production for James Watkins' Bastille Day. Next up, Elba will begin production on Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book.

In 2007, Idris starred in Ridley Scott's Golden Globe nominated American Gangster with Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Ruby Dee and Josh Brolin. The cast went on to receive a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Following, he starred in Guy Ritchie's RocknRolla with Tom Hardy, opposite Beyoncé Knowles-Carter in Obsessed (NAACP Image Award Nomination), The Losers (NAACP Image Award nomination), Legacy (which he also executive produced), Thor, Ghost Rider with Nicolas Cage, Ridley Scott's Prometheus with Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron, Thor with Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth, and Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim alongside Charlie Hunnam, Charlie Day and Rinko Kikuchi.

Soon after his move to the states, Idris landed the role of Stringer Bell, the lieutenant of a Baltimore drug empire on HBO's critically acclaimed series The Wire. Elba's portrayal of the complex but deadly Bell is arguably one of the most compelling performances in TV history. In 2005, his performance earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

In 2013, Elba made his directorial debut with Sky TV's Pavement Psychologist and the music video for Mumford & Sons "Lover of the Light."

About Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 210 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content on worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery also controls Eurosport International, a premier sports entertainment group, including six pay-TV network brands across Europe and Asia. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.