After making a name for himself on the small screen, Idris Elba is ready to spread his wings even further. In addition to tackling more diverse roles, the British actor is looking to take the rap world by storm. Time for some action.

They say that idle hands are the devil’s tools. If that’s the case, Idris Elba must be working on building a temple. The New Year started off extremely hectic for the 34-year-old actor. Back in February, Elba found himself in the midst of a whirlwind promotional tour for writer/director Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls, where the first-time leading man played Monty, a struggling father of three trying to make ends meet. Elba’s days consisted of numerous TV tapings, radio interviews, photo shoots, press engagements and premiere parties. Using the word “busy” to describe the British born thespian’s schedule would be an understatement. Things don’t appear to be slowing down for him any time soon either.

“My [acting] background comes from England where I started in television and theatre,” explains Elba, who speaks in a surprisingly thick British accent that he conceals on screen. “Since being in America I’ve done a lot of television. I was on The Wire for a long time, but this year I have like five films that are going to be released.”

“When I research the characters I play, I realize that I could have been these people. So I’m just thankful, ’cause I could be doing something else.”

While Daddy’s Little Girls netted an estimated $13.1 million at the box office in its opening weekend, Elba’s next few projects have the potential to rake in even more dough. His high profile and diverse lineup for the rest of 2007 includes the sci-fi thriller The Reaping with two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank; This Christmas, alongside Nia Long, Regina King, Mekhi Phifer and Chris Brown; 28 Weeks Later, the sequel to the 2003 horror flick 28 Days Later; and finally American Gangster, where he shares screen time with fellow heartthrobs Denzel Washington and T.I.