Damson Idris isn’t slowing down. After turning heads with his powerful performance as Franklin Saint in FX’s “Snowfall”, the British-Nigerian actor is about to take on a whole new kind of intensity—this time behind the wheel. In “F1“, the highly anticipated racing drama from “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski, Idris stars opposite Brad Pitt in what’s being called one of the most authentic and immersive racing films ever made.
From South Central to the Circuit
For six seasons, Idris embodied Franklin Saint, a calculated and charismatic drug kingpin navigating the early days of the crack epidemic in 1980s Los Angeles. It was a demanding role that required not only emotional depth but also total cultural immersion—Idris famously trained with rapper WC to master the South Central accent and mannerisms. Critics hailed him as a breakout star, with TV Guide calling his performance “nothing short of captivating.”
But while “Snowfall” gave Idris a platform, it didn’t define his range. He’s proven his versatility time and again with roles in Outside the Wire, “Black Mirror”, and “The Twilight Zone”, plus a number of British dramas and indie films. Now, “F1” marks another ambitious step forward.
Damson Idris in “F1”
In “F1”, Damson Idris plays Joshua Pearce, a fast-rising, headstrong young racer whose raw talent and ego make him both a rising star and a potential liability. Enter Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a former F1 legend pulled out of retirement to mentor Pearce while trying to reclaim his own glory. The mentor-mentee dynamic fuels the film’s emotional engine, with Idris holding his own opposite one of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Shot on real tracks with real cars and minimal CGI, “F1” is breaking boundaries in how sports films are made. Idris and Pitt actually trained to drive at race speeds, adding an extra layer of realism to the high-stakes scenes. Add to that a script by Ehren Kruger (“Top Gun: Maverick”) and production backing from Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, and you’ve got a film where precision and passion meet at 200 mph.
From Stage Roots To Global Screens
Idris’s journey to “F1” started in London’s theatre scene. He got his start after actress Cathy Tyson encouraged him to audition for a play. From there, he trained at the Identity School of Acting—whose alumni include John Boyega and Letitia Wright—before landing roles on British TV series like Miranda and Doctors.
After a few early film appearances (Megan Leavey, Farming, The Commuter), his star really took off with “Snowfall”. But he hasn’t looked back. With an award-winning turn in “Farming”, an intense lead role in Netflix’s “Outside the Wire”, and fashion-world cachet as a Tommy Hilfiger ambassador, Idris is building a career defined by versatility, ambition, and a sharp instinct for where to go next.
What’s Next For Damson Idris?
Following “F1”, Idris will star in “Miles & Juliette”, a romantic drama directed by “Love & Mercy’s” Bill Pohlad, and is attached to the upcoming adaptation of “Children of Blood and Bone”. But it’s “F1” that may shift his gear into leading-man status. As Joshua Pearce, Idris brings youth, heat, and edge to a genre not often known for its emotional range.
Whether you knew him from “Snowfall” or you’re seeing him for the first time in “F1”, one thing is clear: Damson Idris has arrived—and he’s not just along for the ride. He’s driving it. “F1” is out in theaters this week.
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