(Photo: Getty Images) 
We’ve known for a while now that Idris Elba’s interests go beyond acting, like racing cars, DJing, and boxing. It’s that last one that comes into play in his recent project, entitled Iris Elba’s Fight School.
Elba has enlisted the help of professional coaches — former national boxing champion Rachel Bower and fitness expert Greg White — to help with eight young adults who have faced personal challenges.
According to the BBC Media Centre, Elba witnessed first-hand what a boxing club did for a community in South Africa, giving youths a place to train and compete. He took what he learned from that and brought it back to the U.K. with him.
The intensive course, presented in the form of a reality series, is meant to teach “discipline, ambition and mental resilience.” It goes beyond the ring, with Elba hoping it’s life-changing for all involved.
Elba’s role is to act as a mentor. He kicks off the trailer, introducing us to the new five-part series and some of the new trainees:

Idris Elba’s Fight School is set to premiere over on BBC Two on April 17 in the U.K. We’ll have to wait stateside for a U.S. release date.
In the meantime, we can always go back and enjoy him as our favorite character, DCI John Luther:

Are you excited to see Elba's passion project?