BBC’s Luther gets South Korean remake after success of Idris Elba detective series

Hit drama Luther is to be remade for South Korean audiences, the BBC has announced.

The Idris Elba-starring series is one of BBC Worldwide’s most-popular TV exports, having been sold to over 230 territories.

The remake will air on South Korean broadcaster MBC in October this year.

It’s not the first foreign language version of Luther - a Russian edition of the series, called Kilm was broadcast in 2016 earning several TV awards.

South Korean audiences will also be able to enjoy dedicated versions of other successful BBC series Mistresses and Life on Mars which will premiere later this year on OCN.

BBC Worldwide’s executive vice producer David Weiland said series like Sherlock and Doctor Who had ‘grown fan bases’ for British drama.

“BBC drama has always found a large audience in South Korea. Series such as Sherlock and Doctor Who have grown fan bases with their original and intelligent story-telling that the British are so well known for.

“I’m delighted that this love of British drama has now transcended into scripted formats – with South Korean versions of Mistresses, Life on Mars, and Luther starring Korean A-listers about to debut in 2018.”

Meanwhile, filming for the fifth series of Luther has kicked off in the UK, with four episodes expected to air later this year.