BBC AMERICA TO CO-PRODUCE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF "LUTHER"

Golden Globe(R)-winner Idris Elba to return in BBC AMERICA's award-winning Dramaville mini-series

New York - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - Following Idris Elba's best actor win at the 2012 Golden Globes(R), BBC AMERICA has today confirmed it is to co-produce the next installment of the critically-acclaimed drama, Luther, starring Idris Elba. The four-part mini-series will premiere in 2012 as part of BBC AMERICA's Dramaville.

Perry Simon, General Manager, Channels, BBC Worldwide America says: "We're delighted that Idris' performance in Luther has been recognized this year with a Golden Globe(R) Award, an NAACP Image Award and a Primetime Emmy(R) Award nomination. His iconic role as John Luther has quickly become one of the most powerful detective characters television audiences have ever seen. Luther has been integral in establishing our new Dramaville franchise, the home for groundbreaking British drama. We're excited to work once again with the incredibly talented writer Neil Cross and executive producer Phillippa Giles on this new ambitious four-part mini-series."

Idris Elba stars as Detective Chief Investigator John Luther, the near-genius detective struggling to cope with his own demons, in two ambitious and distinctive thrilling crime stories. DCI John Luther returns to make another pilgrimage to the heart of human darkness... but at what cost to his own soul?

The police team is back including Detective Sergeant Justin Ripley (Warren Brown, Occupation, Shameless), DSU Martin Schenk (Dermot Crowley, Babel, Bleak House), Detective Sergeant Erin Gray (Nikki Amuka-Bird, Survivors, Small Island) and Benny Silver (Michael Smiley, Burke and Hare, Wire in the Blood).

Idris Elba received an Emmy(R) nomination for his role as John Luther and was also honored at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. He is nominated again this year for an NAACP Image Award along with Luther, which is nominated for Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. BBC AMERICA's Luther won the 2011 Edgar Award for Best Television Episode Teleplay and was nominated for a 2011 NAMIC Award for Best Drama.

Luther is written by Neil Cross (Mama, MI-5, The Fixer), directed by Sam Miller (MI-5, This Life) and produced by Katie Swinden (MI-5). Phillippa Giles (Emma, Jane Eyre) is Executive Producer. Luther is a BBC and BBC AMERICA co-production distributed by BBC Worldwide.

Luther and Luther 2 are available now from the BBC on DVD and on several media platforms to purchase and download.

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, five 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 73 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.