The actor, however, is not currently scheduled to reprise his Emmy-nominated role in the U.S. version.
- November 19, 2014
AceShowbiz -
Idris Elba's BBC1 drama "Luther" is coming Stateside in a new version. FOX has ordered a remake of the detective drama from series creator Neil Cross and has even given it a put pilot commitment.
Elba, who was nominated for three outstanding lead actor in a miniseries Emmy Award for his role, is currently not signed up to star. However, he's on board as an executive producer along with Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner. Cross will write the script.
The original "Luther" follows Elba as a savvy detective troubled by the brutal murder of his wife. It ran for three seasons on BBC1 and BBC America but there is no plan for a fourth season. Yet, Elba said in an interview that he's desperate for more.
"I am desperately trying to make that happen," he told Radio Times magazine. "I think we're gonna probably do one more incarnation on TV. But not a season - a one-off. There's a story idea but no script yet. But we're gunning to do it at the end of this year. There's a lot of pressure from everyone to make it, so we're gonna do it."
For one thing, DI John Luther is a role close to his heart. "I put my heart and soul into it," Elba said. "I love John Luther. I played John at a very dark time in my life. And I so love John because I get to exorcise; it's so cathartic, it's therapy. He's got so much going on, but he lives with it. He makes decisions and he does things that Idris Elba is not allowed to do."
