Idris Elba has found his next project, and it will be a television adaptation of an impressively popular book. According to Variety, the actor will step into the role of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart. Elba will also serve as an executive producer on the show produced by A24. The team behind the series hasn’t found a distributor yet. David Oyelowo and Amanda N’Duka will also be involved with the title through the Yoruba Saxon production company.
Things Fall Apart is the title of the novel written by Chinua Achebe. The book is split into three parts, each exploring Okonkwo’s personal history and the Ibo culture. Achebe went on to write a sequel titled No Longer at Ease. Both novels use Okonkwo’s journey to allow readers to experience the character’s culture and the environment surrounding him during his struggle.
The official description for Things Fall Apart states: “(The show is) the story of Okonkwo (Elba), one of literature’s most iconic characters—a fearless African warrior and leader who is resolute about preserving his people and culture. As British colonizers disrupt his world, Okonkwo’s struggle to maintain power and tradition spirals into a heart-wrenching confrontation.
His fierce resolve, a fatal flaw in the face of unstoppable change, makes him an unforgettable character, embodying the tension between strength, vulnerability, and adaptability.”
“Things Fall Apart” is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written. It has been translated into over 60 languages and won awards like the Nigerian National Merit Award and the Man Booker International Prize. It is the first book of Achebe’s African Trilogy, followed by “No Longer at Ease” and “Arrow of God.” It has previously been adapted as both a film and miniseries, with Pete Edochie starring as Okonkwo in the miniseries.
Idris Elba has kept himself busy with a wide variety of projects over the past couple of years. The actor was recently seen in the second season of Hijack, where he plays Sam Nelson.
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