Idris Elba: Coronavirus is world’s response to ‘damage’ by humans

Idris Elba has suggested the coronavirus pandemic is the planet’s response to being “damaged” by humanity.

The star of BBC drama Luther, 47, revealed he had tested positive for the virus on Tuesday and has since been in self-isolation with his wife Sabrina Dhowre.

In a video interview with Oprah Winfrey, he said it is “really obvious” to him that the outbreak is the world crying out.

Dhowre also confirmed she had tested positive for the virus.

Elba said: “One of the upsides of this whole drama is that we are forced to think together as a race.

“Our world has been taking a kicking. We have damaged our world and it’s no surprise that our world is reacting to the human race.

“It is no surprise that a virus has been created that is going to slow us down, and ultimately make us think differently about our world and ourselves.

“For me, that’s a stand-out thing that is really obvious. This is almost like the world’s cry out.

“Like: ‘Hey, hey, hey – you are kicking me and what you’re doing is not good, so we will get rid of you.’

“As any organism would do, (the world) is trying to get rid of an infection, and maybe this is it for the world.”

The interview makes up part of Winfrey’s new Apple TV+ series on the pandemic, titled Oprah Talks Covid-19.

Speaking from her home, the US talk show host agreed with Elba.

She said: “I think we all lose as human beings if we just think of this as a physical virus.

“I think it is exactly as you said, that it is here to teach us, show us something about ourselves, as individuals and also as a world of people.

“And this is the moment for our humanity to either rise or not.”

Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Daniel Dae Kim, Olga Kurylenko and US talk show host Andy Cohen are among the celebrities who have tested positive for the virus.

Winfrey shared the video on Twitter, writing: “Idris fills me in on his journey and Sabrina reveals the result of her test after they decided to quarantine together.

“Like millions of people all over the world, I’ve been staying safer at home for over a week now. I know a lot of people are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, & uncertain.

“Bc of that, I want to offer some hope & gather thought leaders & people going through it to add some perspective.”