Idris Elba's character DCI John Luther might be best known for his shadowy dealings on the gritty streets of inner-city London. However, the second feature-length film starring the brooding detective will see him fighting crime in the unlikely setting of Southwold, an upmarket Edwardian resort on the Suffolk coast.
The town, famed for its quaint charm and colourful beach huts, might seem an unlikely backdrop to Luther's psychologically charged storylines. Locals were shocked to see Elba, 53, filming scenes for the upcoming Netflix movie on Southwold's 623ft-long pier this week.
The film features the disgraced detective being secretly called back into service to investigate 'a wave of brutal, seemingly random murders in London'. Netflix has not revealed how the action shifts from London to Southwold, which might be a more suitable backdrop for an Agatha Christie whodunnit.
The production is a follow-up to 2023's Luther: The Fallen Sun, which saw Elba's character fired from the police and jailed before breaking out to catch wealthy serial killer David Robey, played by Andy Serkis. The sequel will see Ruth Wilson, 44, reprise her role as psychopathic killer Alice Morgan, who is also a love interest for Luther. Her character had been seemingly killed off in the finale of the fifth series of the BBC show when she fell from scaffolding during a confrontation with the detective. However, her body was never found, leaving an opening for a potential return.
The upcoming film will also see Dermot Crowley star as shrewd detective superintendent Martin Schenk. The 79-year-old appeared in all five series of the show as well as the first Netflix film. Luther appeared to be in conversation with two new characters, played by Stephen Dillane and Anya Chalotra, while filming in Southwold. Dillane, 69, is best known for starring as Stannis Baratheon in Game of Thrones, while 30-year-old Ms Chalotra shot to fame as sorceress Yennefer in Netflix fantasy series The Witcher.
Elba swapped Luther's trademark tweed overcoat and tie for a casual green parka and dark sweatshirt as he filmed on the pier. At one stage the actor, who was knighted in the New Year Honours list, was seen comforting Ms Chalotra's character, who was wearing a bright orange coat and jeans. Filming for the movie, which has not yet been given a title, began in London earlier this year. It is expected to stream on Netflix in early 2027.
