Third series of BBC's Luther is confirmed by Idris Elba

The star of BBC series Luther, Idris Elba, has confirmed that there will be a third series of the crime drama.

The actor, who played Detective Chief Inspector John Luther for the first time last year, revealed it be would be on TV in late 2012 or early 2013.

"I have definitely given the green light to the third season," he told Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman. "I'll be working on it next year.

"We are working on the best Luther series ever. We're working hard."

The first six-episode series of Luther was shown on BBC One last summer.

The second series, which ran over four episodes, aired in June and July.

BBC One controller Danny Cohen first revealed the news that there would be a third series of Luther at the Edinburgh TV festival in August.

Earlier this year Idris Elba told Newsbeat that he would also like to make a film version of the show.

"Ultimately I'd like to see Luther on the silver screen," he said. "I think it's got the scope to do something like that.

"The audience really wanted to see more episodes but I don't think that's the way to go personally."

Previously Idris Elba has starred as US drug lord Stringer Bell but has also appeared in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Hollywood film Takers.