Idris Elba's Luther set for film prequel

The show's creator says he has penned a script for a big screen adaptation

Hit BBC crime drama Luther is set for the big screen according to the show’s creator, who has already penned a script for a feature film.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Neil Cross said the film would take Detective John Luther back to the start of his career, a move that would restore many of the series’ original cast.

He said: “I’ve written the script and we hope to get the film made next year. Idris is a brilliant leading man and we’ve hoped to turn Luther into a movie for a long time.”

The film will follow the maverick police officer’s career in his earlier days, when he is still married to Zoe. Fans of the drama will recognise the last scene of the film as the first of the initial TV series.

The prequel will restore Luther's sidekick Justin Ripley (Warren Brown) to life, as well as his shamed colleague Ian Reed (Steven Mackintosh). Slain wife Zoe (Indira Varma) is also set to return.

Elba, who won a Golden Globe in 2012 for his performance as Luther, has previously talked about taking the series to the big screen.

He told the Big Issue in 2011: “The ultimate Luther story will unfold on the silver screen- London as a huge backdrop and a very menacing character to play against.”

The British actor has had a busy year filming forthcoming films Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Thor: The Dark World. He is best known on the small screen for his role in The Wire.

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