Idris Elba Signs Children’s Book Deal With HarperCollins

Award-winning actor and activist, Idris Elba, has signed a global multi-book deal with HarperCollins to publish a range of children’s books launching in 2022.

The deal will include picture books and fictional stories set in a world imagined by Elba and his writing partner Robyn Charteris. Charteris’s credits include a BAFTA-winning children’s drama series for CBBC and an original preschool series for British children’s channel, CBeebies.

“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to bring stories inspired by my daughter to life with my incredible partner Robyn Charteris, and the powerhouse team at HarperCollins,” Elba said.

World rights were acquired by Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher, HCCB UK, and Suzanne Murphy, President and Publisher, HCCB US, from Crystal Mahey-Morgan at OWN IT! Entertainment Ltd.

“I am delighted that Idris Elba is joining the HarperCollins Children’s Books list,”Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher for HCCB UK, said. “From the outset, Idris had a very clear vision of the characters and stories he has imagined, and is passionate about creating books that will appeal to all children. Robyn Charteris has a fantastic track record in writing for children, working with some of the biggest producers of children’s entertainment, and I am hugely excited to also welcome her to the world of children’s books. I feel privileged that Idris has entrusted us to bring his stories to life and I cannot wait to share them with children across the globe.”

The book series is just one of many projects on Elba’s plate this year. He can be seen this April in the Netflix film Concrete Cowboy and in The Suicide Squad 2 this summer. Other upcoming films include The Harder They Fall and Three Thousand Years of Longing.