Hollywood superstar set for huge streamer deal with thrilling new motorsport docuseries

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Idris Elba is making a high-octane documentary about his Formula E team – and he’s using his own production company to drive it.

The Luther and Marvel movie star became part of motor racing team Cupra Kiro in early 2025, and is keen to showcase the growing sport.

Idris will make the show — said to have echoes of Netflix’s Formula One series Drive To Survive — with his firm 22Summers, which he established two years ago.

An insider said: “It’s not clear yet exactly where this will end up airing but giving his level of fame and the subject matter it’s likely to end up on one of the streamers.

“Sports-themed documentaries are always lapped up by the likes of Netflix, Prime Video and Disney so Idris knows there’ll be a market for it.”

22Summers includes top filmmakers Diene Petterle and Gina Carter.

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Meanwhile his involvement in Formula E regularly sees him trackside and Idris was pictured congratulating Spanish driver Pepe Marti at Monaco’s E-prix in May.

Jack get Lowden on Mr Darcy

He may be the hot favourite to be the next James Bond but Jack Lowden will be going by Mr Darcy for the foreseeable.

Donning the famous Regency attire for Netflix’s new version Pride And Prejudice, he’s the latest name to take on the iconic role.

Here’s a teaser of what Jane Austen fans can expect from their new aloof romantic hero.

Jack follows Colin Firth and Mathew MacFadyen playing Mr Darcy.

Emma Corrin stars opposite the Slow Horses actor as love interest Elizabeth Bennet.

It will premiere on December 3 with Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet, Rufus Sewell as Mr Bennet, Jamie Demetriou as Mr Collins and Louis Partridge as Mr Wickham.

Writer Dolly Alderton adapts the latest take on the classic novel about love, family, and society’s expectations.

Strictly tum slog for Josh

New Strictly host Josh Widdicombe is missing a spring in his step – as he battles tummy troubles after an “exhausting” first week.

The comic revealed that filming this year’s launch show, which airs on Saturday, wiped him out.

“I’m not very well,” he admitted. “I don’t want to go too graphic, but I’ve got stomach problems. I’m not stressed, I’m tired.”

Josh has been busy getting to work with co-hosts Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe ahead of the BBC One show’s return.

“Full disclosure, we’ve done the launch show of Strictly… It went well, but the next day I’ve never felt so exhausted in my whole life,” Josh told fans of his Parenting Hell podcast.

He says the trio have hit the ground running, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

“I’m feeling confident. We had the best time,” he added.

Sanjeev Bhaskar says he would love his former Unforgotten co-star Nicola Walker to appear with him in hit legal drama The Split’s spin-off series The Split Up, which begins on BBC One this Sunday. He said: “It would be like some sort of cosmic miracle. I wouldn’t mind it at all.”

It’s call change for Heidi

Call The Midwife creator Heidi Thomas has finally been tempted away from the BBC.

I can reveal she is working on a project which begins shooting next year.

It comes as her much-loved period drama takes a break, making way for prequel Sister In Arms and an upcoming film.

Heidi said: “I am working on a new project.

“It’s something quite different to Call The Midwife. It will be a different drama and a different genre.

“It won’t be for the BBC – not this time. It will begin filming very early next year.”

Speaking at the National Television Awards, Heidi added: “It’s always good, especially as a lady of a certain age, to flex a different muscle every now and then.

“I think it keeps one fresh.”

Comedy drama The Walsh Sisters is returning to the BBC for another six-part series, with Peaky Blinders star Peter Coonan joining the cast. Inspired by Marian Keyes’ best-selling novels, series two rejoins the chaotic but lovable family in their Dublin home town.

Rafe Potters on like dad

Bosses of the new Harry Potter TV series have cast Rafe Spall for the second series.

He will play the role of Arthur Weasley, dad of Ron Weasley, who was portrayed in the films by Mark Williams.

Following in his father’s footsteps Rafe’s dad, Timothy Spall, was a big part in the movies playing Peter Pettigrew.

Among the new castings announced yesterday was also Molly Hewitt-Richards, who will appear as Moaning Myrtle, and Jasper Ambrose as Colin Creevey.

The first series has completed and is due to drop on HBO Max on Christmas Day.

The second series is currently filming and is expected to be released late next year.

Other names who’ve recently been revealed includ Kit Harington as Gilderoy Lockhart, Bonnie Hill as Ginny Weasley, Lenny Rush as Dobby, and Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle.

Richard spins a fortune

Petrolhead Richard Hammond is poised to drive off with a £4 million windfall.

His TV firm, Hamster’s Wheel Productions, which made kids’ science shows and Richard’s climate series Wild Weather, is being closed down.

Richard, aka the hamster, will net a substantial fortune, as the last accounts revealed it had a healthy £4,019,701 in equity including £2.6m “cash in the bank”.

The business is also commencing a members’ voluntary liquidation after the breakdown of his 28-year marriage to his wife Mindy in January 2024.