IDRIS ELBA GETS EMMY NOMINATION FOR HIS ROLE ON BBC AMERICA'S "LUTHER"

BBC productions earn a total of 18 Emmy nominations

New York, July 14, 2011 - BBC AMERICA's Luther has earned an Emmy nomination for its leading star, Idris Elba, who plays the title role as the brilliant and emotionally impulsive detective John Luther. Elba was also an Associate Producer on the BBC/BBC AMERICA co-production. The six-part mini-series was lauded by fans and critics alike when it was first broadcast on BBC AMERICA in October 2010. Luther was created and written by the acclaimed suspense novelist Neil Cross (MI-5).

The nomination joins three other BBC shows receiving multiple nominations.

Upstairs Downstairs, a BBC Wales/WGBH co-production, received six nominations including Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie for Jean Marsh and Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie for Eileen Atkins.

A BBC Wales/Hartswood Films/WGBH co-production, Sherlock, received four nominations including Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special for Steven Moffat.

Dancing with the Stars, produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for ABC, received seven nominations, including Outstanding Reality-Competition Program and Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program for Tom Bergeron.

Perry Simon, General Manager, BBC AMERICA says: "These are fantastic results for the Brits, and a ringing endorsement that there is a real appetite for British programs and productions on this side of the Atlantic. Huge congratulations to everyone on their nominations for these most prestigious of television awards. Here at BBC AMERICA our warm wishes particularly go to the Luther team. I for one can't wait for the sequel."

Idris Elba says: "This has been such an amazing morning for me! I am extremely honored to be nominated in two categories. Luther has been such a passion project for me and working on The Big C was a great time. Also, my daughter told me I am going to be as famous as the guy from Twilight."

The Primetime Emmy(R) Awards are now in their 63rd year and celebrate excellence in national primetime programming. The full winners will be announced in a ceremony in Hollywood on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy, four Golden Globes and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable's most affluent and educated audiences and is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 68 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist.