Detective John Luther is heading back to the streets of London, and this time, he’s not alone. Idris Elba is reuniting with his most captivating co-star, Ruth Wilson, for a new Luther movie at Netflix. This marks a major comeback for Wilson’s character, the brilliant and dangerous Alice Morgan, who was absent from the previous film.
The upcoming film brings back the core creative team behind the franchise, including series creator and writer Neil Cross and director Jamie Payne. Production is scheduled to begin in February 2026.
The New Case for John Luther
London is in peril once again, requiring the services of its most brilliant and troubled detective. The film’s plot centers on a new wave of brutal, seemingly random murders hitting the city. In response, John Luther is secretly called back into service to stop the carnage.
However, this investigation comes with an immense personal challenge. The official logline for the movie poses a critical question: how can Luther save London when everyone on all sides seems to want him dead? Luther must navigate this universal threat while confronting the dark new force terrorizing the city.
A Long-Awaited Cast Reunion
The cast of the new film signals a major homecoming for the Luther franchise. Idris Elba will once again wear the iconic coat as DCI John Luther, a role for which he has won a Golden Globe. He is joined by Dermot Crowley, who is reprising his role as Detective Superintendent Martin Schenk, Luther’s sometimes-antagonist, sometimes-ally within the police force.
The most significant return is that of Ruth Wilson as Alice Morgan. Wilson’s character, a psychopathic serial killer and research scientist, shared a complex and magnetic relationship with Luther throughout the BBC television series. Her character was notably absent from the 2023 film, Luther: The Fallen Sun, making her return a pivotal moment for the story. Crowley also appeared in the previous film, but Wilson did not.
Director Jamie Payne expressed his excitement about the reunion, stating:
“Neil has yet again, created a wonderfully dark tale to bring us all back together. It’s a true joy to be back on the streets of Lutherland with the supreme talents that are Idris Elba and Dermot Crowley. I am also thrilled to be reunited with the brilliant and dangerous Alice Morgan played by the extraordinarily talented Ruth Wilson. Fans new and old are in for a treat!”
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The Creative Team Behind the Darkness
The film reunites the key architects of the Luther world, ensuring the new chapter stays true to its roots. Neil Cross, the creator of the original BBC series, has written the screenplay. He has always maintained a deep connection to his characters.
“Luther, Alice and Schenk are more than characters to me – they’re family,” Cross said. “I never stop wondering where they are, what’s become of them…and what horrors might be stirring in the shadows of London while Luther’s not around. So we decided to get together and find out what happens next.”
Director Jamie Payne, who previously directed Luther: The Fallen Sun as well as episodes of the television series, is back to helm this sequel. The producers for the project include Chernin Entertainment, Cross, Elba and Gina Carter for 22Summers, and Tim Lewis.
The Legacy of Luther
The Luther franchise began in 2010 with the acclaimed BBC television series, which ran for five seasons over the following decade. The show established Idris Elba’s John Luther as a modern television icon—a brooding, obsessive detective whose methods often put him at odds with his own department. The series was praised for its dark tone, complex characters, and standout performances, particularly the electric chemistry between Elba and Wilson.
The franchise expanded to Netflix with the 2023 film Luther: The Fallen Sun, which continued Luther’s story but without the fan-favorite character of Alice Morgan. Her return in this new movie addresses a long-standing wish from the show’s dedicated fanbase and promises to rekindle one of the story’s most compelling dynamics.
The new, untitled Luther movie will begin production in February 2026. A release date has not yet been announced.
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