Idris Elba’s Netflix Crime Sequel Just Pulled in Major Franchise Talent

5 days ago 10

Published Feb 6, 2026, 12:54 PM EST

Makuochi Echebiri is a News Writer for Collider. He has been interested in creative writing from as far back as high school, and he would consume pretty much anything that’s film or TV. However, his truest love lies in the presence of historical epics and thrillers.

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Last fall delivered great news for fans of Luther, with Netflix confirming a return trip to Lutherland for another round of the iconic crime saga. Idris Elba is set to reprise his role as the brilliant but volatile detective in a new Luther movie, positioned as a sequel to 2023’s Luther: The Fallen Sun. That film continued the story of the BBC series, which ran for five gripping seasons between 2010 and 2019. While Elba has since headlined a number of high-profile projects, including Apple TV’s Hijack, which recently returned for its second season, Luther remains one of his most beloved roles. And now, new reports suggest meaningful progress is being made on the second movie.

Luther follows Elba's John Luther, a brilliant but troubled London detective whose obsessive pursuit of justice routinely blurs moral and legal lines. The series often tackles psychologically charged cases, features a moody, atmospheric tone with Luther’s complex bond with criminal mastermind Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson) serving as the show's most entertaining aspect. Rather than a traditional procedural, the show leaned into character-driven crime storytelling. The follow-up movie, Luther: The Fallen Sun, expanded that world onto a larger scale, opening with Luther imprisoned before launching a high-stakes hunt for a ruthless serial killer. The film earned positive fan reception and successfully created a launchpad for further releases.

New reports have revealed that the cast for the new Luther movie has expanded significantly, assembling an impressive ensemble that includes The Witcher’s Anya Chalotra, Andor’s Kyle Soller, Game of Thrones alum Stephen Dillane, alongside Ian Hart (The Mosquito Coast) and Niamh Algar (Raised by Wolves). Details surrounding their characters, however, are being kept firmly under wraps. The new cast members will join Elba and Wilson, who are returning to the franchise having missed out on the first film. The sequel will also reunite Elba with Dermot Crowley, who reprises his role as DSU Martin Schenk from both the original series and the first movie.

What Is the Plot of the 'Luther' Sequel?

Picking up from the closing events of Luther: The Fallen Sun, the sequel will, according to Netflix's plot tease, “thrust into motion when a new wave of brutal, seemingly random murders hits London, and DCI John Luther (Idris Elba) is secretly called back into service.” The logline adds an ominous twist, asking how Luther can save the city “when everyone on all sides seems to want him dead.” Series creator Cross returns to write the script, with franchise veteran Jamie Payne set to direct. Cross and Elba will also serve as producers on the project, joined by Tim Lewis, David Ready, and Samantha Nisenboim.

It remains unclear whether filming has officially begun, though new casting announcements often coincide with the start of principal photography. Netflix has yet to announce a release date for the sequel, but fans are hopeful the film could arrive by 2027 at the latest. Stay tuned for further updates as development continues.