The Search: 10 Black Actors Who Could Replace Idris Elba As Our Collective Man Crush

Jim Iyke

Origins: Libreville, Gabon by way of Nigeria (is anyone noticing a else trend here…)

Most Recognizable Roles: Just about every got-damn Nollywood film you had the pleasure of trying to watch while getting your hair braided

What Makes Him a good Elba Replacement: Appearing in hundreds of films (including my favorite Beyonce & Rihanna and the excellent followup: Beyonce & Rihanna), Iyke, born James Ikechukwu Esomugha, is like the Denzel Washington of Nigerian direct-to-DVD cinema. But more importantly, if you squint your eyes and tilt your head in the right direction, he does kind of, sort of, resemble Elba ( I think it’s in the eyes). Okay, I might be reaching. But he’s not a bad looking guy plus, if all the rumors of his recent unfortunate break from longtime Nollywood actress girlfriend are true, he certain does encompass that bad boy machismo we love so much about Elba.