Idris Elba returns for four part series of Luther

BBC One have confirmed Luther is to return to the channel.

“Luther is one of BBC One’s most iconic dramas and we’re thrilled that Idris Elba is reprising his role as John Luther. Neil Cross’ plans for his return promise some big surprises and what will turn out to be an utterly heart stopping and unmissable fifth series.” – Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama

Multi-award-winning crime drama series Luther will be returning to BBC One. The fifth series written by Neil Cross and starring Idris Elba, who has received a Golden Globe and SAG Award for his performance in the role of John Luther, will start filming early next year.

The four part series, each to air in hour long slots, will air on BBC One late in 2018. The series follows John Luther, Detective Chief Inspector working for the Serious Crime Unit in series one, and the new Serious and Serial Crime Unit in series two and three.

A dedicated police officer, Luther is obsessive, possessed, and sometimes violent. However, Luther has paid a heavy price for his dedication; he has never been able to prevent himself from being consumed by the darkness of the crimes with which he deals.

For Luther, the job always comes first. His dedication is a curse and a blessing, both for him and those close to him. In the very first episode of the series he investigates brilliant psychopath and murderer Alice Morgan. Ultimately he is unable to arrest her due to lack of evidence, but as the programme progresses, she becomes both his nemesis and unlikely companion. As she pursues her infatuation with him, he gradually relents as he is able to glean insight from her about some of the cunning criminals he pursues.

“We are tremendously proud to be bringing Neil Cross’s iconic show LUTHER back to BBC1. The return of John Luther always feels like an event but this time we will be pulling out all the stops to make the show bigger, bolder and of course more scary than ever.” – Hilary Salmon, BBC Studios Executive Producer