British ‘Luther’ set for 2015 return; American ‘Luther’ on the shelf for a bit
It’s been quite some time since I have written and/or mentioned anything about Luther or Idris Elba, who stars in the series in the title role as DCI John Luther. No good reason except for the fact that it’s been over two years since a new episode has appeared on either side of the Atlantic. For those that may be late to the Luther-party, this series is brilliant. It’s one of the grittiest, darkest and, probably, most realistic police procedural to grace the small screen in some time.
DCI John Luther is obsessive, possessed, and sometimes dangerous in the violence of his fixations. Luther has also paid a heavy, heavy price for his obsessive dedication to his work. 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.
British Luther – Good
When the news hit late last year that there would be a Luther special in our foreseeable future, there was immediate joy across Luther-Nation. Returning for a two-part special this Fall on BBC1, the brilliant Idris Elba will be on-hand to reprise his role although he will be without his partner, DS Justin Ripley (Warren Brown) for the first time as Luther faithful will painfully remember that Ripley was killed off in a jaw-dropping finale of series 3 back in 2013.
While Michael Smiley (Benny Silver) and Dermot Crowley (DSU Martin Schenk) will be returning to reprise their roles as Benny Silver and DSU Martin Schenk, no word yet as to whether or not Ruth Wilson would be back as Alice Morgan, Luther’s rather highly intelligent sociopath ‘friend’. See what we mean?
Added to the cast for the forthcoming two-parter are will be Rose Leslie (Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones), Laura Haddock (Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy) and Darren Boyd (Whites, Spy, Dirk Gently, The Guilty).
Elba said: “It’s great we’ve been able to do this Luther special. John is so close to my heart, he’s part of me. The fans won’t be disappointed with his return – it’s explosive and definitely goes up a gear!” According to the BBC, DCI John Luther will be “…pitted against his most chilling adversary yet, haunted by the ghosts of his past and hell-bent on retribution“.
American Luther – Bad
Unfortunately, we can’t seem to leave well enough alone can we when it comes to pirating brilliant British drama for an American re-make. The Fox network has given a pilot commitment to original series creator, Neil Cross and series star, Idris Elba, to write and executive produce the retooling of Luther for an American audience.
The simple fact that Elba will not reprise his role for the American version, unlike David Tennant who starred in both the British and American versions of Broadchurch, has proven to be a bit of an issue according to Deadline.com as the remake has now been delayed from the traditional network pilot season after producers have struggled to find a suitable lead to play the American DCI John Luther. Personally, I could have saved Fox a lot of time and money and told them that there is on one and only one DCI John Luther and his name is Idris Elba.
The good news so outweighs the bad news regarding Luther. Time to discard the thought of a dreadful American reboot of Luther anytime soon from your mind palace and focus on the greatness that two new Luther episodes starring Idris Elba will be coming our way this Fall on both sides of the pond.
In: Drama
