Fans of the critically acclaimed British drama series Luther will be pleased to know that a new four-part limited series event is officially under development. Created by Neil Cross and starring award winning actor Idris Elba as the eponymous protagonist, the first four seasons of the show began airing in 2010 on BBC One, and have since garnered the attention and respect of viewers all over the world. As criminal investigator John Luther, Elba is fictitiously tasked with hunting down some of the most dangerous serial killers that London has to offer. Unfortunately for Elba's character, John Luther is psychologically inclined to being consumed by the darkness with which he does battle on a day-to-day basis.

With a Golden Globe, SAG, and Critic's Choice Award for his past performances as the show's titular star under his belt, Elba has become an A-list Hollywood actor thanks in no small part to his work on Luther. And following four seasons on the air thus far, the latest word has season 5 officially under development.

Per an official press release from BBC America, the four-part Luther season 5 will begin filming in early 2018, with Cross and Elba both returning to work on the multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominated television show. Speaking to the thinking that will go into writing season 5, Cross says:

"Now what? It’s a question Idris and I get asked a lot. What happened to John Luther after we last saw him striding unbowed through the streets of his city, his blood red London? It can’t be over, can it? There’s so much we don’t know. So much unfinished business. The thing is, we’ve been asking ourselves the same question. Because we love John and wonder what he’s up to. And as for me, I’m scared of the monsters. The face at the window. The hand under the bed. The shadow at the end of the street. Who’s going to stop them, if not John Luther? In the end, we picked up the phone to some old friends and asked if they’d like to find out what happens next. It turns out, they would. So that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to find out what happens next. Now what? Luther’s coming back. That’s what."

Ruth Wilson and Idris Elba in Luther

Echoing Cross' statements and enthusiasm for season 5 of Luther, Elba says he is likewise eager to return to the much beloved role and original drama series, remarking:

"Neil, the BBC, and I have been talking about a further season and I am thrilled that we have been able to bring it all together. I look forward to putting the coat back on."

Following his turn in the big screen blockbuster adaption of the classic Stephen King fantasy property The Dark Tower later this summer, Elba seems more than willing to get back to his roots with a role that helped launch him into the limelight of mainstream acclaim and worldwide visibility as an actor. Cross has also been keeping busy of late, helping to bring a TV adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley to the small screen, so it's encouraging to hear that Luther's creator will be returning behind the scenes on season 5, too.

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Luther season 5 begins filming in early 2018.

Source: BBC America