'Wire' star Idris Elba to appear in Showtime's 'The Big C'

Idris Elba is looking to invade your TV screen.

"The Wire" star -- or, most recently, "The Office" foe -- is keeping busy this year.

Following the announcement that “Luther,” a psychological crime thriller that premiered in May on the BBC, will make its way overseas to air on BBC America later this year, comes news that Elba will have a recurring role on Showtime’s new Laura Linney-starring series “The Big C.”

Elba, who is slated to appear in four episodes, will play a painter and potential love interest for Linney’s character, the network said in a statement. The show follows Cathy (Linney), a repressed suburbanite who tries to salvage her life after a diagnosis of terminal cancer

The series, which is filming in Stamford, Conn., is scheduled to premiere Aug 16. The show also stars Gabourey Sidibe (“Precious") and Oliver Platt as, well, Linney’s husband -- that could be a problem.

In “Luther,” Elba stars as John Luther, a self-destructive detective who strikes an unusual relationship with a multiple murderess (Ruth Wilson). The British actor also serves as associate producer on the series

Not enough Elba? He can also be seen on the big screen next year in the Marvel Comics movie “Thor.”

-- Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Elba on the KCET Studios lot in Los Angeles (April 2009). Credit: Ann Johansson/For the Los Angeles Times.

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Comments

[yvonneleed]

great news/idris ia fine actor/gona be great to see more of him. he is a true actor- not after the fame. i caught luther- very captivating and a must see. good luck idris

[yvonnne]

It give me joy to known I will see more of you on TV.