Idris Elba to return as detective John Luther in upcoming Netflix film

The film, announced by Netflix’s Tudum, will serve as a sequel to the 2023 movie Luther: The Fallen Sun.

Actor Idris Elba is returning as detective John Luther in a new Netflix film that continues the story of the popular crime thriller franchise.

The film, announced by Netflix’s Tudum, will serve as a sequel to the 2023 movie Luther: The Fallen Sun.

Dermot Crowley will reprise his role as police superintendent Martin Schenk, while Ruth Wilson returns as Alice Morgan — a fan-favourite character from the original TV series who did not appear in the 2023 film.

Wilson and Crowley, his long-time Luther co-stars, are reunited with Elba on this project. The plot will revolve around a string of brutal killings in London that only Luther can solve, according to Netflix.

Director Jamie Payne, who has previously worked on both the series and The Fallen Sun, shared his excitement about returning, saying that writer Neil Cross has once again crafted a dark, gripping story that brings the team back together. “It’s a true joy to be back on the streets of Lutherland with the incredible talents of Idris Elba and Dermot Crowley,” Payne said.

Neil Cross, who wrote the screenplay for Luther, made it clear that the detective would once more be dragged into the mayhem of London in order to put an end to a fresh string of heinous crimes. It is anticipated that the next movie's production will start in February 2026.

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Chernin Entertainment, Neil Cross, Idris Elba, Gina Carter for 22Summers, and Tim Lewis are producing the film.

The original Luther series, which aired through the 2010s, ran for five seasons and told the story of a gifted but troubled detective navigating the dark side of London’s crime world. This new film aims to carry that legacy forward, blending intense storytelling with the raw, emotional depth that made Luther a global success.