Move comes as little surprise, given that the third season of Luther was greenlit by BBC One last summer. BBC America has aired each of the first two seasons.

Elba was nominated for an Emmy last fall and won the Golden Globe in January for lead actor in a miniseries.

Luther has been integral in establishing our new Dramaville franchise," BBC Worldwide America g.m. of channels Perry Simon said.

Neil Cross writes and Sam Miller directs, with Phillippa Giles exec producing.

Warren Brown, Dermot Crowley, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Benny Silver co-star.

Ruth Wilson, who was a lead in the first season of "Luther" but appeared minimally in season two, is not in the principal cast for season three.