Netflix has announced Idris Elba will star in a feature length film based on his hit BBC series Luther.
The series has aired five series on BBC since 2010, with Elba as DCI John Luther and Ruth Wilson as Alice Morgan.
Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis will join Elba in the film, which will be written by series creator Neil Cross.
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The announcement from the Netflix UK twitter account comes after months of speculation and hints that a Luther film was on the horizon.
In July 2020, Elba spoke to Sky News about the prospect of a film based on the show more than a year after series five finished airing back in January 2019.
“There isn’t a real formal plan for ‘Luther’ at the moment,” Elba said. “I’ve made it very clear that I’d like to see ‘Luther’ come back as a film. And I can tell you this, that we are this close to making a film of ‘Luther.'”
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At the 2020 BAFTA Awards, Elba doubled down on his hopes for a Luther film.
"I've maintained that I'd like to see [Luther] come to a film," he said.
"That's what I think we're headed towards, is a film. I'm looking forward to making that happen... It is happening! With film, the sky is the limit. You can be a little bit more bold with the storylines, and a little bit more international, and a little more up the scale. But John Luther is always going to be John Luther.
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"...Neil is beavering away on writing this thing, and I think the remit for the film is to scale it up. It will be more murder, more Volvos, more frowning Luther... essentially we just want to try to take it to a much bigger audience and scale, and perhaps international as well."
Netflix is making the film in association with the BBC and the filming is set to begin in November this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Jamie Payne, who directed all four episodes from series 5, will return to the Luther universe to direct the film. He has also helmed episodes of The Alienist and Outlander.
The story will see Luther face a “double threat”. Eviro’s character is a detective who is also Luther’s nemesis while Andy Serkis will play the film’s main villain.
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It is unclear if Wilson will reprise her role as Alice in the film.
Neil Cross explained there are no plans for a sixth season of the show. Speaking to Australia's Insider magazine, Neil said: "There is not going to be a season six - definitively no season six."
At least fans have the film to look forward to!
Featured Image Credit: Netflix/BBCTopics: TV And Film, Luther, Idris Elba, Netflix