King teams up with Idris Elba for Netflix debut

Telegraph

7 hours ago

The King is to make his Netflix debut with a documentary about 'the power of believing in young people'.
His Majesty has teamed up with actor Idris Elba for the programme, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the King's Trust. The monarch will 'offer rare access and insights' into his support for the charity over the past five decades.
Filming will begin next week and the documentary will be broadcast in autumn 2026.
A Buckingham Palace aide said: 'The King is pleased for the trust to have this wonderful opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience, sharing the compelling stories of some of the more than 1million young people it has helped in Britain and internationally over the past 50 years.'
Buckingham Palace is increasingly turning to the documentary format to highlight the King's work and reach a wider audience.
It has also proved willing to move away from domestic terrestrial producers such as the BBC and ITV that traditionally produce royal, set-piece documentaries.
In January, it emerged that the monarch will appear in a feature-length film on Amazon Prime based upon his 'philosophy of harmony'.
The film is being made in collaboration with The King's Foundation, which is this year celebrating its 35th anniversary, and is being filmed at Dumfries House, its base in Scotland.
Due to be released at the end of this year or in early 2026, it has been described as 'a chance to show, not tell' viewers 'how they can transform people, places, and ultimately the planet.'
The new Netflix documentary will be made by Elba's own production company, 22 Summers, which will involve young people supported by the King's Trust to help them build experience in film and television.
It will mark the monarch's first collaboration with the streaming giant, which in recent years has become more known for its affiliation with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
In 1976, the King used his £7,400 severance pay from the Royal Navy to create the Prince's Trust, which helps disadvantaged young people get into education, training and jobs.
'King's Trust changed my life'
Elba has recently spoken of his eternal gratitude to the King for founding the charity, admitting that it changed his life.
The actor was 16 when he was awarded a £1,500 grant from the organisation to enable him to train at the National Youth Music Theatre.
He admitted that when he initially applied, he thought he was wasting his time.
But he came home from school one day to find a letter in a white, handwritten envelope addressed to 'Idris Elba Esq', complete with the royal seal.
Inside was a cheque from the trust that enabled him to pursue his dream, putting him 'on the right trajectory.'
Elba, who has also founded his own charity called the Elba Hope Foundation, said: 'The King's Trust gave me an opportunity that changed my life.
'At a time when I didn't have the resources to pursue my ambitions, they offered real, practical support – including financial help – that helped me take those first steps to advance my career.
'Today, through the Elba Hope Foundation, I'm focused on creating those same opportunities for young people who are full of potential but lacking access. Around the world, millions are still waiting for that one door to open.
'This documentary is about shining a light on what's possible when it does — and why the work of The King's Trust remains so important.'
Jonathan Townsend, UK chief executive of The King's Trust, said: 'At its heart, this is a documentary about the power of believing in young people.
'It's about an idea, driven by a young Prince who was determined to make a positive difference, that when young people are supported to succeed, we all succeed.'
The latest announcement follows several appearances by the King on television shows in recent years.
At the end of last year he appeared on a BBC Christmas special of Countryfile which was filmed at his Highgrove home, highlighting the work of The King's Foundation's education programmes.
The King also took part in a special episode of The Repair Shop in 2023, where he showcased the work of the charity's students and spoke about his passion for heritage crafts.