Idris Elba’s ‘Luther’ Is Getting An American Remake
Lutheris coming to America. Fox is developing a U.S. remake of the BBC crime drama, which centered on a brilliant but troubled detective. (As if there’s any other kind of detective on TV these days.) OriginalLuthercreatorNeil Crossis on board as writer and executive producer, and originalLutherstarIdris Elbawill executive produce as well. Hit the jump for more details on theLutherUS remake.Deadlinereports Fox has given theLutherUS remake a put pilot commitment with a seven-figure penalty, meaning odds are good it’ll get picked up to series. The network already has another series about a self-destructive genius detective based on a European property lined up, the midseason dramedyBackstrom.
The British original centered around John Luther (Elba), one of London’s most talented detectives. He’s passionate and committed to his job, maybe too much so — he tends to be obsessive and hotheaded, and he struggles to deal with his own demons.Lutherran from 2010-2013, tallying up a total of 14 episodes across 3 seasons. The show, which aired in the U.S. via BBC America, has earned eight Emmy nominations in total including ones for Best Miniseries and Best Actor.
Elba is quite familiar with American TV, having starred on HBO’sThe Wire. He’s also done recurring guest stints onThe Office(hey, another British import) andThe Big C. Cross most recently created the pirate dramaCrossbones, which was cancelled by NBC during its first season.
Lutheris just the latest European crime drama to get Americanized. However, the results so far have been mixed.The Killinglasted four seasons against all odds, but NBC’sPrime Suspectwas axed after one season, Fox’sGracepointhas struggled in the ratings, and FX’sThe Bridgewas recently cancelled after two seasons.
If the problem is that these shows failed to differentiate themselves,Lutherdoesn’t seem like the solution. The American TV landscape isn’t exactly lacking in grumpy detectives with personal problems. TheLutherUS remake will have to be nearly as extraordinary as its predecessor to stand out.
