Thus far, when it comes to the television development cycle, 2014 has been the year of movie adaptations. Minority Report, Frequency, Hitch.. if it’s been a movie, there’s a good chance someone’s trying to pitch it as series. Now, while we’d love to say we’ve got news for you about an original concept being set-up as a TV series, we can say what we do have today is going to intrigue you.
According to various reports, Fox has set a plan in a motion to adapt BBC’s hit Idris Elba-starring series, Luther, for American television with original creator Neil Cross set to write the pilot and executive produce.
So allow us to answer the one question we know you’re already asking: no, Elba is not set to reprise his role on the series. However, he will be on board as an executive producer (though the extent of that title’s currently unknown at the moment). It’s also unknown how this will or won’t affect the long rumored feature film adaptation of the BBC series, which we really need to happen because we want more Elba as Luther, dammit!
Luther will serve as the latest British-American adaptation for Fox as they’re already airing a stateside rendition of ITV’s Broadchurch in the form of the Anna Gunn starring Gracepoint. However, that series never ticked as high in ratings as the network would have like, which is what most likely led to Fox placing a seven figure pilot commitment on the table for the famed detective drama.
There’s potential here, especially since Gracepoint has turned out to be surprisingly well executed. It also helps Fox is currently high on the idea of making gritty cop shows, which is what they and Warner Bros Television have been trying to do with Gotham since the beginning of the Jim Gordon origin story. So, for now, what we will say is, because Cross is set to be head-honcho on the adaptation, there’s faith to be had. Very, very cautious faith, but faith nonetheless.
Who do you think will play the American John Luther? Let us know in the comments below.
[HT Variety and Deadline Hollywood]
Idris Elba!! If David Tennant can cross the pond to play the same character (Broadchurch-UK/Gracepoint-US) then Idris deserves to revamp his role.
FOX should keep its hands off UK shows. Gracepoint’s not a patch on Broadchurch, and even if they *got* Idris Elba to do a US Luther, it’d suck, too. And it’s not limited to FOX–AMC’s The Killing was wretched compared to the amazing original, the Danish show Forbrydelsen.
Say, wasn’t it FOX who had the bright idea to do a Doctor Who TV movie–which was godawful (“I’m half human!”), save for the fact that it gave us Paul McGann, who’s redeemed Eight beautifully, both in the Big Finish CDs and especially in the 50th anniversary “Night Of The Doctor”?
What? The Killing was amazing. Not familiar with the Danish version, but as far as the U.S. Version, it was VERY well done. Hated to see it end.
Agree with others here – just re-air the originals in America. Enough with the bad reproductions.
As a conscientious observer (someone who hasn’t seen the original Luther), I think it has to be Idris Elba, or riot.
Nope. Nope. Nope. And did I mention nope? Luther is just one of those brilliant shows that should remain untouched.
are they doing to dump it on americans faces after 3 seasons as well?
If this is going to happen (which I don’t want but it’s not like I can do anything), please keep him as a large black guy. I swear if they change it to a white guy I’m going to flip my shit.
Seriously, I’m pretty sure that they speak English in this series…
How about stop giving us bad American copycat versions and just sell the originals to air on mainstream channels.
While I wholeheartedly agree, a lot of Americans will not watch or enjoy British shows. I loved Broadchurch but passed on watching Grace Point.
Dear US TV makers. US viewers can understand British. Knock it off.