The date for the return of DCI John Luther has been confirmed, with the first episode of the hit BBC police drama’s fifth series airing on New Year’s Day.
Luther will be broadcast across successive nights, with the whole of the new four-part series airing from January 1 to 4.
Idris Elba has returned to the role of the haunted rogue detective, who is tasked with delving into London’s criminal underworld.
It’s time to play dirty…
An exclusive look at the brand-new series of #Luther, coming soon to @BBCOne.
(You’ll want to watch to the very end 😉) pic.twitter.com/ykO70D2EIx
— BBC Luther (@bbcluther) 29 November 2018
Read more: Luther series 5 first look: Brand new trailer drops and hero is in grave danger!
A trailer for the new series shows Luther hunting down a masked killer, with dark and suspenseful clips from the Neil Cross-written drama.
The BBC described the premise of the series, saying: “While the monstrous and seemingly indiscriminate killings become ever more audacious and public, Luther and new recruit DS Catherine Halliday played by Wunmi Mosaku are confounded by a complex tangle of leads and misdirection that seems designed to protect an untouchable corruption.”
Each episode of the new series will air at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
It comes as the BBC announced further details of its schedule for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special set to air at 5.30pm on Christmas Day, followed immediately by Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Show and the Call The Midwife Christmas Special.
This will clash with Coronation Street on ITV, which airs at 8.45pm.
Doctor Who will air on New Year’s Day, beginning at 7pm. Both Christmas and New Year will feature a Mrs Brown’s Boys special.
Meanwhile, the BBC have recently announced the iPlayer box sets Christmas line-up.
This year’s line-up includes classic period dramas from acclaimed screenwriter Davies, such as Sense And Sensibility, War And Peace, Little Dorrit and Bleak House.
Read more: BBC confirms Alice Morgan’s return to Luther in latest teaser trailer
His new adaptation of Les Miserables, starring Dominic West, David Oyelowo and Lily Collins, is due to air over the festive period.
The BBC said there would be more than 100 box sets available.
Comedy highlights include Outnumbered, Gavin And Stacey, Miranda and Extras.
Dramas such as Bodyguard, Killing Eve, McMafia and Informer will be back for anyone who missed out, as well as every series of Doctor Who since 2005 – including the latest one starring Jodie Whittaker.
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