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Idris Elba (The Wire) is joined by an all-star cast as filming begins in London on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One crime thriller Luther: Ruth Wilson (Small Island, Jane Eyre), Steven Mackintosh (Criminal Justice), Indira Varma (Rome), Warren Brown (Occupation), Paul McGann (Withnail and I), Saskia Reeves (Bodies), all star in Neil Cross' thrilling, new six-part series, made by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Drama Production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ One.

Kate Harwood, Controller of Series and Serials, says: "Neil Cross's new series takes a bold new look at the detective show with great characters and intense psychological drama.

"I'm delighted we've attracted such a strong cast to bring these characters to life."

Idris Elba stars as John Luther, a near-genius murder detective whose brilliant mind can't always save him from the dangerous violence of his passions.

Ruth Wilson is Alice Morgan, beautiful, extraordinarily intelligent and a key witness in Luther's first investigation.

Indira Varma is Zoe Luther, who's had the strength to walk away from the man she still loves.

Paul McGann is Mark North, unafraid to compete with Luther for Zoe's love.

Steven Mackintosh is DCI Ian Reed, a loyal friend.

Saskia Reeves is DSU Rose Teller, Luther's risk-taking boss, and Warren Brown is DS Justin Ripley, Luther's loyal, awestruck new partner.

In each exciting and fast-moving story, the murderer's identity is known from the start – focussing the drama on the psychological duel between hunter and quarry, who sometimes have more in common than either would like to think.

Creator and writer Neil Cross is an acclaimed suspense novelist and was lead writer for the last two series of Spooks.

"I'm delighted that ´óÏó´«Ã½ One is bringing Luther to life," 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."

Luther is a six x 60-minutes series and will film in and around London for transmission next year on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One.

Luther was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller ´óÏó´«Ã½ Drama Commissioning, and Jay Hunt, Controller, ´óÏó´«Ã½ One.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ executive producer is Phillippa Giles and the producer is Katie Swinden.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Drama Production is a world leader in producing much-loved and critically-acclaimed dramas including recent productions: A Short Stay In Switzerland, The 39 Steps, Little Dorrit, Waking The Dead, Silent Witness and Criminal Justice 2 on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One; House Of Saddam and Desperate Romantics on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two. Forthcoming dramas include: Cranford 2, Survivors 2, Five Days 2 and Lark Rise To Candleford.

GJ

Information for viewers

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