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First Look At Idris Elba's Netflix Comedy 'Turn Up Charlie'

First Look At Idris Elba's Netflix Comedy 'Turn Up Charlie'

The new series will see the actor taking a break from the hard-hitting material he has become known for thanks to 'Luther'

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Idris Elba is returning to his roots for a new Netflix comedy to be released later this year, and it is a world away from his current role.

At the moment you are probably used to seeing the 'sexiest man alive' don his red tie and grey overcoat, as he tracks down London's most depraved murderers in the hit BBC drama, Luther.

The dark thriller sees Elba take on the role of the brooding and tormented police officer, DCI John Luther.

And audiences have been glued to their screens since the show returned for its fifth series this week, with Luther and new sidekick, DS Catherine Halliday, on the hunt for a deranged killer. No change there, then.

But in a slight change of pace, the actor is set to star in new comedy, Turn Up Charlie, which tells the story of a down-on-his-luck DJ (Elba) who is given one last chance when he reluctantly becomes a 'manny' to his famous best friend's problem-child daughter, Gabby, played by Frankie Hervey.

Elba is heading back to his musical roots for his new series.
Netflix

The brainchild of Elba and Uncle David producer Gary Reich, the series was confirmed last year but Netflix has now revealed it will finally hit our screens on 19 March - and if that wasn't enough, the streaming service have also given us a first look at the actor behind the decks.

Though on the face of it, the leap into comedy may seem a bit of a risk for the Brit to take, the first half of the series will be directed by Tristram Shapeero - who has worked on the likes of Community and Parks and Recreation in the past - so it should be in safe hands.

Matt Lipsey will sit in the director's seat for the second half of the season.

'Turn Up Charlie' will see Elba star as a down-on-his-luck DJ turned 'manny'.
Netflix

But if you think this means he's turning his back on catching crooks, then think again. Speaking to LADbible last month the actor said he has big plans for Luther, with the possibility of a feature-length film on the horizon.

"I've always said there should be a movie," he said. "I really want to do that and we're very close to doing that next year, hopefully, so let's see.

"For me it would be nice to take Luther up a scale. Make the storyline bigger, make it slightly more international.

The talented actor isn't turning his back on 'Luther' just yet though and says he wants to make a film.
Netflix

"We've made varied seasons, one season was six episodes, one was four - Luther's adaptable.

"I think if we can figure out the formula to keep an audience captivated for an hour and a half, on a movie, I think Luther has definitely got the attributes to make that happen."

Episode three of the current series of Luther is on BBC One tonight at 9pm.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: UK News, idris elba, TV and Film, Interesting, Luther, UK Entertainment, US Entertainment