Posted in: BBC, Trailer, TV | Tagged: alice, bbc, bbc america, bbc one, bleeding cool, cable, crime, drama, idris elba, london, luther, neil cross, ruth wilson, season 5, streaming, television, thriller, tv, U.K., uk

Luther Series 5 Premiere: U.K.'s Most Watched New Year's Day Program

London finally has one of its greatest protectors back, taking to the streets to confront the evils that men (and women) do. Though it's been some time (three years!?!) since Idris Elba's (Thor: Ragnarok) Detective John Luther was "back in London, back in the coat," fans of BBC One's Luther clearly missed the crime solver in a big way.

Airing on Tuesday night as part of the BBC's holiday line-up, creator Neil Cross' series averaged 5.6 million viewers in overnight ratings (peaking to 5.9 million) – making it the most-watched New Year's Day program in the U.K. With a 25.7 share, Luther's fifth season debut is the highest-rated premiere of the show's five seasons – while the total number of viewers for this season matching those of the first two seasons.

Luther is set to air on BBC America in the U.S. some time in 2019.

When the moonless shadows of London give birth to a new nightmare, DCI John Luther is once more called to immerse himself in the deepest depths of human depravity. While the monstrous and seemingly indiscriminate killings become ever more audacious and public, Luther and new recruit DS Catherine Halliday are confounded by a complex tangle of leads and misdirection that seems designed to protect an untouchable corruption.

But even as the case brings him closer than ever to the true face of evil, a reluctant Luther is forced to confront the unburied demons of his own recent past. Striding back into the line of fire, he must choose who to protect and who to sacrifice. His next move will have devastating consequences for those around him — and change him forever.

Luther also stars Dermot Crowley as DSU Martin Schenk, Michael Smiley as Benny Silver, and Patrick Malahide as George Cornelius – along with Ruth Wilson's Alice (!!!!). Joining the cast are Wunmi Mosaku as new recruit DS Catherine Halliday; and Hermione Norris as Dr Vivien Lake, a psychiatrist who cares for some of society's most vulnerable.

BBC's Elizabeth Kilgarriff, BBC Studios' Marcus Wilson and Hilary Salmon, and Green Door Pictures' Elba executive produce the four-part season, commissioned by BBC One's Piers Wenger and Charlotte Moore.

Deadline Hollywood

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