King Charles and Idris Elba join forces for huge Netflix show about special project
The Netflix film, featuring King Charles and Idris Elba, will be exploring the impact of The King’s Trust as it celebrates its 50th anniversary
His Majesty King Charles III and Idris Elba are making a new Netflix documentary together. The film will be exploring the impact of The King’s Trust as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. As a young man Idris Elba was the beneficiary of a grant from the Trust (then The Prince’s Trust), a small but life-changing opportunity, which enabled him to study acting.
Idris will accompany The King as he offers rare access and insights into his support for the Trust over the past five decades. At its heart will be the compelling stories of some of the 1million young people the charity has helped around the world. Idris Elba, Actor and Founder of 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.”
The documentary, which begins filming next week and will launch on Netflix in Autumn 2026, is produced by 22 Summers, a production company founded by Idris Elba and Diene Petterle.
The director is the award-winning Ashley Francis-Roy. 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.
"Almost 50 years on, the momentum behind this idea has seen more than 1.3 million young people supported in over 20 countries around the world, including more than a million in the UK alone, through the work of The King’s Trust.
"Nobody understands the impact of this work better than those who have experienced the support we offer first hand.
"As a long-term supporter and former beneficiary of The Trust himself, Idris will undoubtedly bring a unique perspective to this groundbreaking documentary as he peels back the layers of our story and shows how our life-changing work is as relevant today as it has ever been."
Among the production team will be young people supported by the Trust to build experience in film and television. It is understood The King isn't interviewed for the doc but occasionally appears being filmed in conversation.
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."
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