‘Luther’ Remake Postponed as Search for Lead Actor Continues

A planned U.S. remake of Idris Elba’s British detective drama Luther has been put on hold as producers search for a suitable leading man.

The star signed on to executive produce the U.S. adaptation last year, but he won’t be reprising his role as the obsessive title character, homicide detective John Luther, for the new version.

Producers launched a search for their leading man, but they were unable to make a casting decision in time to shoot the first episode for pilot season this spring, when network bosses decide which projects will be picked up for full series.

As a result, pre-production on the Luther remake has been delayed until later this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Bosses at Fox agreed to greenlight the Luther pilot in January, but the deal was “cast contingent”, so the show will only move forward when all concerned are happy with their lead stars.

Luther creator Neil Cross penned the new pilot and will serve as an executive producer alongside Elba.

The third season of the acclaimed BBC series aired in the U.K. last year.

Photo Credit: BBC