New Luther film starring Idris Elba

Luther is investigating again! As The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reports, Idris Elba will once again take on the role of the legendary cop in a new feature film.

Alongside Elba, Ruth Wilson will also return as Alice Morgan. Also returning is Dermot Crowley as Superintendent Schenk, Luther's former adversary and later ally.

Director Jamie Payne, who has already directed several episodes of the series of the same name, will once again take over the creative direction. The script, on the other hand, was written by showrunner Neil Cross. In terms of content, the as yet untitled film tells the story of a brutal series of murders in London that reveal neither pattern nor motive. Luther is secretly reactivated – although numerous forces in the city want him dead.

It is not yet known whether the sequel will follow on directly from its predecessor "Luther: The Fallen Sun". Filming will begin in February 2026.

"Luther" was produced for the BBC from 2010 to 2019. The crime series enjoyed great popularity and regularly generated record numbers. The long-awaited fifth season, which was only released three years after season four, ultimately marked the high point of the series and eclipsed everything with over ten million viewers in the UK alone.

Idris Elba: The most influential films and series of an exceptional talent

Idris Elba is one of the most versatile actors of his generation. Whether in hard-hitting crime thrillers, epic fantasy blockbusters or sensitive character dramas, Elba knows how to lend intensity, authenticity and charisma to every role like no other. Since the early 2000s, he has built up an impressive list of projects that have catapulted him from British TV productions to Hollywood. A look at his most important work shows just how diverse his career is.

Breakthrough with The Wire: the rise of a silent string-puller

Elba's international career began with the HBO cult series "The Wire" (2002-2004). In it, he played the brilliant but unscrupulous drug strategist Russell "Stringer" Bell, who tries to run criminal structures within the Baltimore drug network like a modern company. Bell is intelligent, ambitious and dangerous – and Elba's nuanced performance made the character one of the most memorable in the entire series. "The Wire" is still considered one of the best series of all time and gave Elba his international breakthrough.

Luther: the role that made him an icon

Probably his best-known role, however, is DCI John Luther, the brooding investigator from the BBC series "Luther" (2010-2019), often plagued by his own demons. With just 20 episodes spread over five seasons, the crime series became a phenomenon. Elba's portrayal of a brilliant but morally scarred detective earned him numerous awards, including a Golden Globe.

Luther's dark world, his obsessive hunt for serial killers and his complex relationship with the manipulative Alice Morgan made the series a gripping psychological thriller. The popularity of the character led to the Netflix film "Luther: The Fallen Sun" in 2023, in which Elba once again impressively showed how much power and vulnerability his portrayal simultaneously contains.

Blockbuster star: Marvel, DC and big action roles

In addition to his TV successes, Elba has also left his mark in blockbuster cinema. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he played Heimdall, the vigilant guardian of Asgard, for the first time in "Thor" (2011) and later in several MCU films. Although the role was more supportive, Elba gave the character a gravitas-laden depth that resonated with fans.

In the DC universe, he took on the role of the mercenary Bloodsport in the 2021 film "The Suicide Squad". With dry humor, a strong action presence and an emotional core, Elba's performance was one of the highlights of the film – and a possible solo appearance of his character is still longed for by many viewers today.

Strong performances in drama and thriller cinema

Elba also impresses with character roles outside of superhero blockbusters. In the biographical drama "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" (2013), he shone as Nelson Mandela, a role that earned him great acclaim. His haunting performance showed the political and human side of the South African freedom fighter with great respect and emotional impact.

In "Beasts of No Nation" (2015), a Netflix war drama, he embodied a brutal commander who captivates child soldiers. Elba's performance was at once disturbing, mesmerizing and outstanding acting; it earned him nominations for numerous film awards and showed how courageously he tackles difficult material.

Comedies, animation and family films

Elba always shows humor and looseness. In the comedy "The Office" (US), he had a memorable guest role as the strict boss Charles Miner. In animated films, he lent his distinctive voice to characters such as the buffalo Chief Bogo in "Zootopia", the tiger Shere Khan in "The Jungle Book" (2016) and the sea lion Fluke in "Finding Dory".

Action fun is also on his list: In "Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw" (2019), he played the technologically upgraded super soldier Brixton, who self-deprecatingly calls himself "Black Superman" – a record of coolness that only Elba can deliver so credibly.

Conclusion

Whether chasing serial killers in London, drug dynasties in Baltimore or epic blockbuster worlds: Idris Elba has established himself as one of the most distinctive actors of his generation with an enormously broad repertoire of roles. His mix of physical presence, emotional depth and charismatic understatement makes every project something special. And despite his many successes, his career seems far from having reached its zenith.