Whether it’s working with well known stars like Janet Jackson, Idris Elba or Mike Tyson, Manchester production company Workerbee has big plans to create a buzz across the international documentary and film scene.
You might be familiar with some of Workerbee’s films or factual slate of shows. The company has worked on a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into Janet Jackson’s private life, entertainment shows such as The Bridge, Idris Elba’s Fight School or exploring the rivalry between boxing heavyweights in Bruno v Tyson.
Based on the fifth floor of Manchester’s iconic Tower 12 building, I’m instantly greeted by Idris Elba’s face plastered across the lift doors of Workerbee’s office. It’s not a surprise though, the production company’s relationship with the actor goes way back.
“Everyone wants to work with him. And he likes to work with us,” Workerbee’s CEO Rick Murray enthusiastically told Prolific North.
“It was the first thing when I came in the door and we set up the office. I was like: ‘let’s do a show with Idris Elba.”
At the time, Idris Elba was making a name for himself in scripted roles for characters in acclaimed drama series such as Luther or The Wire. Murray knew he had a love for cars, so approached him with an idea.
“He was like: ‘You’re the first first company that’s asked me to do something that isn’t to do with gangs and drugs’. He was getting lots of offers outside of his scripted work to do stereotyped, typecast shows about drugs and gangs because of his high profile role in The Wire. He didn’t want to do that. He wanted to do what you see middle class posh white people doing on TV.”
