At the 2016 TV Choice Awards, what was supposed to be a straightforward acceptance speech by Tom Hiddleston quickly turned into one of the most memorable and hilarious moments of the night—thanks to a surprise cameo by his Thor: Ragnarok co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Idris Elba.
The Setting and Context
Unable to attend the ceremony in person due to filming commitments in Australia, Hiddleston accepted his Best Actor award for The Night Manager via a pre-recorded video message. Starting with his signature charm, Hiddleston greeted the audience warmly and apologized for his absence: “I’m so sorry I can’t be there tonight, I’m sure you all look lovely. I’m in Australia, I’m shooting Thor: Ragnarok. I don’t really have anything to offer you.” What began as a gracious and polite speech quickly took an unexpected turn.
Hemsworth and Elba’s Hilarious Interruption
Suddenly, Chris Hemsworth popped into the frame, cheekily grabbing the trophy. With a sly grin, he quipped, “Is that for us? It’s for Home and Away, yeah? For all the work I did on that? Thanks everyone on Channel 7, I loved working on Home and Away.” The jab at his early acting days on the Australian soap opera, before his rise to Thor-level fame, earned hearty laughs from fans and viewers alike.
Not long after, Idris Elba casually strolled into the frame, peering at the trophy and asking, “What’s going on? What’s that?” Then came the witty remark: “How come Luther didn’t get nominated?”—a playful nudge about the lack of recognition for his acclaimed BBC series. Adding a warm personal touch, Elba also gave a shoutout to his mother, blending humor with heartfelt charm.
Hiddleston’s Reaction: Amused Yet Exasperated
Throughout the impromptu hijack, Hiddleston’s reaction was priceless. His mix of amusement and mild exasperation—smiling but resigned—captured the spirit of a good sport sharing the spotlight with his mischievous co-stars. Media outlets like TIME and Vanity Fair described his expression as that of “a man resigned to sharing the spotlight,” underscoring his easygoing nature and camaraderie with Hemsworth and Elba.
A Lighthearted Moment That Stuck
The playful interruption quickly went viral, dominating entertainment headlines across Marie Claire, Yahoo, and Mirror Online, which dubbed the duo’s antics as a “cheeky gatecrash” and a “hilarious video.” Fans loved the candid glimpse behind the scenes, where the friendship and humor between these actors shone through—far from the polished veneer of typical awards ceremonies.
The moment also sparked renewed interest in Home and Away and Luther, giving a spotlight to the actors’ wider bodies of work beyond their Marvel collaborations.
Broader Implications
More than just a funny clip, this hijack highlighted the genuine bond between Hemsworth, Hiddleston, and Elba during the filming of Thor: Ragnarok. It showed that amid high-profile projects and formal industry events, there’s always room for levity and friendship. For fans, it was a rare peek behind the curtain at the relaxed, fun atmosphere these stars share—reminding us that sometimes, the best moments are the unscripted ones.
At the 2016 TV Choice Awards, what started as Tom Hiddleston’s solo spotlight quickly became a memorable group moment—one that perfectly captured the spirit of camaraderie and humor among some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.