Photo: Idris Elba,Naomi Harris,Kate Middleton & Prince William At The Premiere Of Nelson Mandela Movie.

December 6, 2013

Unaware: Idris Elba and Naomie Harris posed at the premiere of Mandela on Thursday evening unaware of the former president's death

Actors Naomie Harris and Idris Elba attended the Royal Film Performance of Mandela on Thursday evening, unaware that just a short time later it would be announced that the film’s subject, Nelson Mandela, had passed away at the age of 95.

Speaking about the role Idris said: ‘Everyone knows who Mandela is, everyone has an idea of what he sounds and looks like. I worked really hard to pull in all the elements, from the sound of his voice to the way he walks. I don’t look anything like him but it was really important the audience got a sense of who Mandela is because the likelihood is that we will never meet him in person.

‘For someone who doesn’t look like Mandela you have got to work harder to get the audience in there.

‘I think he [Mandela] has seen parts of the film but ultimately it’s about his life, he’s been there, he’s done it – so he might not even need to see it.

‘Tonight is extra special because this is my country and when the royals come out to watch a film it’s. a big deal. I feel very proud that it’s my film, really proud.’

The current South African president Jacob Zuma broke the news on Thursday evening that Mandela had passed away.

In a televised address, Mr Zuma said: ‘Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.

‘What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves.’

Mandela’s death came nearly five months he was admitted to hospital with a lung infection.

Naomie, who plays Winnie Madikizela in the film, wore a strapless black dress featuring an embellished peplum detail by Alexander McQueen for what will now be an occasion she will never forget.