Idris Elba stars in Luther, an all new thriller premiering October 17 on BBC AMERICA

A MURDERER ON THE LOOSE. A DETECTIVE ON THE EDGE.

- Idris Elba stars in Luther, an all new U.S. premiere thriller -

A brilliant detective tormented by the darker side of humanity, Luther shines a light into the hearts and minds of psychopaths and killers, and the shadowy spaces of his own soul. A BBC AMERICA co-production starring The Wire's Idris Elba (Russell 'Stringer' Bell), Luther is a gripping, psychological thriller driven by a brilliant and emotionally impulsive detective. A self-destructive near-genius, Luther might just be as dangerous as the depraved criminals he hunts. In each episode, the murderer's identity is known from the start, focusing the drama on the psychological duel between predator and prey. Luther premieres Sunday, October 17, 2010, 10:00p.m. ET/PT.

Luther is created and written by Neil Cross, the acclaimed suspense novelist and one of the lead writers on MI-5. He says: "It's an intense psychological thriller which examines not only human depravity but the complex nature of love � and how it's often this - our finest attribute - that leads us into darkness."

Elba, who is also an associate producer on the mini-series, is joined by an all-star cast: Ruth Wilson (The Prisoner, Jane Eyre) is Alice Morgan, beautiful, extraordinarily intelligent and a key witness in Luther's first investigation; Steven Mackintosh (Criminal Justice) is Detective Chief Inspector Ian Reed and Luther's loyal friend and work colleague; Indira Varma (Rome) is Zoe Luther, who's had the strength to walk away from the man she still loves; Paul McGann (Withnail and I) is Mark North, unafraid to compete with Luther for Zoe's love; Saskia Reeves (Bodies) is Detective Superintendent Rose Teller, Luther's risk-taking boss and Warren Brown (Occupation) is Detective Sergeant Justin Ripley, Luther's loyal, awestruck new partner.

Luther follows his own moral code as much as the rules of criminal law. But as he becomes locked in a lethal battle of wits with Alice, his decision process becomes increasingly murky. The strain begins to tell as he's drawn deeper into a series of horrific murders, and the shadow of a former case threatens to bring him down.

Forced to face his own capacity for violence - he struggles with why his wife left him and what draws him to Alice. As the stakes get higher and more personal, Luther's lonely path pulls him towards the very edge of temptation. Is he a force for good or a man hell bent on self-destruction?

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 67 million homes.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Luther Idris Elba (The Wire, Takers, Thor)

Alice Morgan Ruth Wilson (The Prisoner, Jane Eyre)

Ian Reed Steven Mackintosh (Criminal Justice, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels)

Zoe Luther Indira Varma (Rome, Human Target)

Mark North Paul McGann (Withnail and I, True Dare Kiss)

Rose Teller Saskia Reeves (Red Riding, Bodies)

Justin Ripley Warren Brown (Occupation, Shameless)

Creator and Writer Neil Cross (MI-5)

Associate Producer Idris Elba

Directors Sam Miller

Brian Kirk

Sam Miller

Stefan Schwartz

Producer Katie Swinden

Executive Producer Phillippa Giles

Luther is a BBC and BBC AMERICA co-production distributed by BBC Worldwide.

WHAT THE UK PRESS SAID

"Taut, punchy, brilliantly filmed and acted with total conviction� gloriously entertaining" The Times

"Idris Elba in his best post-Wire role to date" Guardian

"Beautifully done and deliciously intriguing - and the powerfully charismatic Elba is terrific" Daily Mail