Page 62 - Powerlist 2019 - Digital Edition

Simon Frederick
Media, Publishing & Entertainment Artist, photographer, director

It’s been an exceptional year for Simon. He’s made history at
the National Portrait Gallery, produced a new series for the
BBC and collaborated on his first feature film with the BFI.
Described as the “man shifting culture, one frame at a
time”, his current exhibition Black is the New Black at the
National Portrait Gallery celebrates the achievements of the
British African-Caribbean community.
It’s an historic exhibition for both the artist and the
gallery, as it is the largest acquisition of portraits of
African-Caribbean sitters in the gallery’s history.
Dr Phillip Prodger, head of photographs at the gallery,
said: “Photographing with sensitivity and insight, Simon
Frederick has made extraordinary portraits of some of
the most influential Britons of our time. We are proud to
welcome these works into our collection, where they will be
seen, enjoyed, and celebrated for generations to come.”
The portraits, which were shot during the making of the
BBC series of the same name which aired in 2016, features
icons and achievers discussing what it means to be British
and black. The four-part series drew figures from the worlds
of politics, business, culture, religion and science.
Idris Elba Simon has now worked on a second series for the BBC
Actor entitled They Gotta Have Us, which focuses on black film-
making and the actors, screenwriters and directors that have
contributed across the ages to its success. It will feature a
A-list actor, director, producer, record-breaker, Royal number of leading figures including Diahann Carroll, Cuba
wedding guest (and alleged Royal DJ) – Idris Elba is the man Gooding Jnr, Laurence Fishburne and Whoopi Goldberg.
with the Midas touch. Patrick Holland, BBC2’s Channel Controller, called Simon
As the Powerlist went to press there was on-going one of the most distinctive directoral talents working in the
speculation he will be cast as the first James Bond of African UK today.
and African-Caribbean heritage. Simon began his career as a commercial photographer,
This year was a busy one for Idris. He appeared in working with MTV, the BBC and record labels, documenting
Avengers: Infinity War, one of the highest-grossing films of major artists such as Rihanna, Amy Winehouse, Jay-Z and
all time, and made his directorial debut with an adaptation Kanye West.
of Victor Hedley’s novel, Yardie. He made the move into fine art photography and held
He is also set to star in, direct and produce a Hunchback of exhibitions of his portraits, including the 2013 West End
Notre Dame reboot for Netflix. He will also make new music show My Mates at Work, which featured Sadie Frost, David
for the film. Idris will play the title role of Quasimodo in the Harewood and art dealer Steve Lazarides.
adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel. Simon has also appeared as a judge on Sky Arts series
Netflix has also ordered a comedy series called Turn Up Master of Photography alongside Isabella Rossellini.
Charlie created by Idris and Gary Reich. The series follows
Charlie (Idris), a struggling DJ and eternal bachelor who
reluctantly becomes a manny to his friend’s handful of
a daughter.
He also filmed what is suspected to be the last season
of his hit TV series Luther. His performance in the role
has scored him a clutch of awards, including the Golden
Globe for best actor and a Screen Actors Guild Award for
outstanding performance.
Other notable film roles include sci-fi western Dark Tower,
where he played gunslinger Roland Deschain alongside
Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey. He also starred with
Kate Winslet in the movie The Mountain Between Us – based
on Charles Martin’s novel about a surgeon and journalist
who survive a plane crash. As if that were not enough, he
starred in Marvel superhero movie Thor: Ragnarok.
He also appeared in the Sky Atlantic TV series Guerrilla,
about the Black Power movement in 1970s London. During
filming, Idris made sure there were roles in front of and
behind the camera for black and ethnic-minority talent.

58 Powerlist 2019