Somali Canadian model and businesswoman Sabrina Elba, married to Idris Elba, has joined the cast of Nuur, the film adaptation of fellow Somali Canadia author Hassan Ghedi Santur’s The Youth of God.

The Youth of God tells the story of a 17-year-old Somali boy, named Nuur, navigating the challenges of religious radicalization in a Toronto suburb. The novel follows the Nuur as he negotiates the challenges of his faith, ambition, and troubled family life. The Youth of God was longlisted for Canada Reads in 2020 and was a finalist for the 2019 Pius Adesanmi Memorial Award for Excellence in African Writing.

Nuur is being directed by Djboutian-Canadian director Lula Ali Ismaïl (Dhalinyaro) and produced by Scythia Films, the group behind the 2024 Oscar-nominated The Apprentice. Elba joins previously announced cast members Omar Abdi (The Gravedigger’s Wife) and Hamza Fouad  (Riverdale). The executive producers include Jordan Hart (I, Object), Michael Bronner (The Mauritanian, Captain Phillips), and Bhakti Shringarpure (Smashing Dandelions, Radical Books Collective).

Elba is set to the play the part of Haawo, the resilient Somali mother of Nuur and his older brother, Ayuub. She has previously appeared as “British Council Lady” in the film Three Thousand Years of Longing alongside her husband, Idris Elba. Reflecting on this role, she said:

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to play Haawo in ‘Nuur,’ a role that means so much to me. It’s a privilege to work alongside the talented and inspiring Lula Ali Ismail, whose collaboration has been nothing short of amazing. It’s truly an honor to be part of such a meaningful project.

We look forward to more updates on Nuur ahead of its release!