Idris Elba has signed on to reprise his title role from the acclaimed psychological crime drama television series, Luther, in a Netflix feature film adaptation. The casting comes after the actor, who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the troubled eponymous Detective Chief Inspector John Luther in 2012, openly campaigned to play the protagonist in a movie.
Netflix is making the feature in association with the BBC, which aired five short seasons of Luther between 2010-2019, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Neil Cross, who created and wrote the show, scribed the screenplay for the film. Jamie Payne, who directed the series’ last season, is helming the movie, which is set to begin shooting in November.
In addition to Elba, who was nominated for three Emmy Awards throughout the show’s five season run, the Luther film adaptation will also star Oscar-nominee Cynthia Erivo. Acclaimed motion capture artist and actor, Andy Serkis, has also signed on to star in the feature.
Throughout the series’ five season run, John, a brilliant London officer, became so obsessed with his work that he was willing to go down dark paths and break even the smallest rules. The movie is set to follow the title character as he has to contend with two threats. Those dangers include Erivo’s character, a detective who’s also Luther’s nemesis, and Serkis’ character, who will serve as the film’s criminal villain.
Cross and Elba will produce the Luther film adaptation with Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and David Ready of Chernin Entertainment. Chernin has a deal with Netflix, which released his production company’s Fear Street Trilogy earlier this summer.
It hasn’t been confirmed yet if Tony Award-nominated actress Ruth Wilson will reprise her role of Alice Morgan, the serial killer who also served as Luther’s romantic interest throughout the television show. The drama’s fifth season marked the performer’s return to the series, with her character, who was previously presumed to be dead, coming back to cause more trouble for Luther. However, Alice seemingly died again, despite her body quickly disappearing.
Luther was eventually arrested, but Elba believes that it’s hard to say what might come next for the character in the upcoming film.”I feel like John has to make some decision in jail,” Elba told EW. “It’s quite clear that it would be very difficult for him to be a policeman moving forward. I think that’s a great setup for a movie.”
