FOX Adapting BBC’s ‘Luther’; Original Series Returning in 2015

FOX has reached out to creator Neil Cross and star Idris Elba for an American version of the popular BBC series Luther. The network has committed to a put-pilot, meaning that contractually, the pilot will air even if the series isn’t picked up. Cross and Elba will Executive Produce the series, with Cross also writing the pilot episode. It is unlikely Elba’s schedule will allow him to also play the titular character in this incarnation.

Luther is about a committed and talented police detective whose obsession and dedication damages his relationships both personally and professionally. As series star, Elba has raked in a total of three Emmy nominations for Best Lead Actor. The series has proven to be highly popular commercially as well as critically. It has already spawned a Russian remake called Klim due to air in 2015, and a prequel novel to the original television series called Luther: The Calling which was written by series creator Neil Cross and was on the New York Times Bestsellers List.

It is strange that FOX is moving forward with another BBC remake, as the network is currently airing Gracepoint which is an adaptation of Broadchurch and has received middling reviews and low-ratings since it began airing last month.

Cross and the BBC also announced today that the original iteration of Luther will return in a two-part finale miniseries that will be filming in March and expected to air at the end of 2015. In a statement, Cross said, “Ever since we said goodbye to John Luther on Southwark Bridge, there’s hardly been a minute when I didn’t wonder what happened next. So I decided to find out. We’re putting the band back together; Luther is coming back where he belongs. Back to the BBC. Back to London. And back to work.”