Idris Elba Features In First Trailer For ‘Luther’ Christmas Special
It’s been over two years since Idris Elba last stepped into his wool trenchcoat and donned his brooding, tortured grimace, but good news is abound for fans of Luther — the show will make its much-anticipated return in December for a two-part Christmas special. During a mass of advertising and publicity this week, the BBC released the first trailer for the show, which will have fans licking their lips at the return of their favourite hard-hitting detective.
The BBC have been heavily advertising Luther, which makes a welcome return to their winter programming after a long absence. This is due, in part, to Idris Elba’s busy Hollywood schedule, which has seen him featured in films like Pacific Rim and Prometheus, as well as the incoming Star Trek Beyond and The Jungle Book.
The BBC have been promoting the return of Luther on their Twitter page. The original announcement was made in March.
Wotcha. #LUTHER pic.twitter.com/LaYqHce8lN
— BBC One (@BBCOne) March 2, 2015
You can view the first exclusive trailer below.
The third series of Luther — which finished in 2013 — tied up loose ends and left the fans somewhat satisfied. However, as is the way with many popular drama series, it left viewers wanting more. With only 14 episodes across the first three seasons, many thought there was more to come from the tortured, grief-stricken detective — and they would be right. The two-part Christmas special introduces us to several new characters, and recruits some of the top talent in the U.K. drama ranks, including Michael Smiley (Spaced, Black Mirror), Laura Haddock (Ripper Street, Da Vinci’s Demons) and former Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie.
Speaking to the BBC during filming, Idris Elba had many fond memories of the character, and was only too happy to return to the role.
“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!”
Executive producer Elizabeth Kilgarriff shared the sentiments of their leading man, and welcomed him back to the fold.
“It’s very exciting to have Idris Elba back as DCI John Luther and to be in east London shooting the show’s fourth instalment. Neil Cross has pulled out all the stops to make this the biggest, scariest story yet and it’s a privilege to welcome such a glittering array of acting talent to our already stellar cast.”
The trailer certainly has the ability to send chills up your spine. Clocking in at a mere sixty seconds, it features a foreboding, menacing vibe throughout, with several hints of gruesome bloodshed. It also captures Elba’s touching portrayal of the traumatized detective to perfection, a role that secured Elba a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in each of the past consecutive seasons. He was finally awarded the prize at the 69th Golden Globe Awards.
“In our heads, this was the film — it’s two hours and it’s a pilot for the film. We would love to get a film off the ground but it takes time, and it’s really about when Neil and I are ready to pull that off.”
This isn’t the first time a Luther film has been mentioned — Season 3 was initially planned to be a pilot to lead into a film spin-off. The comments above added to those mentioned in a 2013 interview with the Guardian. Idris Elba is still holding out hope for the adaptation, as difficult as it is.
“That’s where the ultimate Luther story will unfold, is in the big silver screen — London as a huge backdrop and a very menacing, horrible character to play against.”
Whether or not this film comes to fruition remains to be seen. Until then, you can get your much-delayed Luther fix when the shows returns at Christmas.
Luther will begin to air on December 15. The second part, and season finale, will air on December 22.
[Image via BBC]
