Idris Elba's Return To A Fan-Favorite Movie Role Just Got A Major Update
Luther could be back on the case as Idris Elba teases a comeback to his fan-favorite detective after five seasons and the 2023 film Luther: The Fallen Sun.
If you were hoping for Luther Season 6, adjust expectations now. Creator Neil Cross says John Luther lives on the big screen these days. The door is open for Idris Elba to suit up again, but if and when he does, it will be in another movie, not a new run of episodes.
Quick refresher
Idris Elba led the BBC One series as DCI John Luther across five seasons from 2010 to 2019, then returned in 2023 for the feature film Luther: The Fallen Sun. Cross created the series and wrote The Fallen Sun, so when he talks future plans, it matters.
What Neil Cross is saying now
In a new chat with RadioTimes.com, Cross doubled down on something he has been saying for a while: Luther is a film franchise now. He did not promise a return, but he made it clear where that return would happen.
"Certainly, were he to come back, were that happy event to take place, I think film would be the natural place for him."
So yes, that likely kills the dream of a traditional Season 6. But there is some behind-the-scenes logic here: Cross sees Luther less as a single TV character and more as a world you can enter from different angles and formats.
What about TV?
Cross isn't shutting the door on television entirely. He says pieces of the Luther universe could live on the small screen, just probably not with Luther himself front and center. Translation: spin-offs are very much on the table.
- Martin Schenk (Dermot Crowley), the sharp, seen-it-all cop who has been around since the series days
- Odette Raine (Cynthia Erivo), introduced in The Fallen Sun and absolutely capable of anchoring her own story
So, is another movie actually happening?
Earlier this month, during The Radio Times Writers' Room, Cross talked about a potential Luther sequel on Netflix and said there are "extraordinarily strong possibilities" of seeing Luther again. That is industry-speak for: not a green light, but the vibes are very good.
Bottom line
If Idris Elba returns as John Luther, expect it to be in another film. Meanwhile, Cross is openly eyeing ways to keep the Luther world alive on TV via other characters. If you like this universe, there's a decent chance you'll be getting more of it — just not in the exact shape you might have expected.