BBC America's September highlights include 'Luther' second season

By April MacIntyre Aug 12, 2011, 17:37 GMT

"Luther" follows the cases of a troubled yet brilliant English police detective, DCI John Luther (Idris Elba). Separated from his wife, whom he loves passionately, he is torn between an unrelenting approach to solving serial killings and his attempts to rekindle his marriage. Luther is a highly charged emotional man who is not above stretching the law to solve a case or save a life. In episode one, Alice Morgan ...more

BBC America's fall heats up with the inclusion of the critically acclaimed thriller drama "Luther" starring Idris Elba.

"Luther" is a psychological mystery drama that takes place in England, as a detective who is haunted by past events struggles to find his way again after losing his wife, and connects with a psychopathic killer he is strangely drawn to. 

via press release:

BBC AMERICA SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

LUTHER – S2- U.S. PREMIERE

Emmy nominee Idris Elba is back in the mini-series sequel Luther.  EIba (Thor, The Wire) stars as John Luther, the near-genius detective struggling to cope with his own demons, in two distinctive, thrilling crime stories.

Devastated by the brutal murder of his wife, John Luther returns to policing in a different world.  His old unit has gone and he’s working in the newly created Serious and Serial Unit, headed by former police complaints officer Martin Schenk (Dermot Crowley, Babel, Bleak House). 

Luther quickly gathers together his team, rescuing his old partner Detective Justin Ripley (Warren Brown, Occupation, Shameless) from uniform. It’s not long before they’re dealing with their first case.

A masked man wanders the streets of London, carrying out ritualistic murders in historic locations, working his way up to one final masterpiece. Luther premieres in BBC AMERICA’s new weekly drama slot, Dramaville, hosted by Idris Elba. It’s written by Neil Cross and is a BBC and BBC AMERICA co-production.  Luther premieres Wednesday, September 28, 10:00p.m. ET as part of Dramaville.

24 HOURS IN THE ER – U.S.  PREMIERE

“Everyone should walk through an Emergency Room at least once in their life, because it makes you realize what your priorities are… It’s the people you love, and the fact that one minute they might be there, and one minute they might be gone.” – Liz Hobbs, King’s College Hospital ER Chief of Staff

BBC AMERICA unveils a major new 14-part observational documentary capturing the daily life-or-death dramas that take place in one of London’s busiest Emergency Rooms. Filmed by a BAFTA-winning team, around the clock over 28 days, with 70 specially rigged remote cameras, 24 Hours in the ER tells the intimate, emotional stories of the patients needing urgent medical attention and follows up with those lucky enough to recover to hear of life post-ER.  The documentary follows the actions of the ER’s medical staff whose decisions within the first 15 minutes of an arrival determine whether someone lives or dies.  24 Hours in the ER begins with two episodes back-to-back on Tuesday, September 27, 9:00pm ET/PT.

SPECIALS

THE NERDIST – WORLD PREMIERE

Based on the popular Nerdist blog and podcast, Nerdist creator Chris Hardwick sits down with comedian and chat show host Craig Ferguson and Doctor Who’s Matt Smith for a half hour special where they chat on all things nerds love, from pop culture and news to tech trends and more.  The Nerdist premieres Saturday, September 24, 10:00pm ET/PT as part of the Ministry of Laughs.

FUNNY AS HELL – WORLD PREMIERE

BBC AMERICA’s original, two-part stand-up comedy special features some of the best stand-up comedians from the UK and beyond.  Filmed this summer at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, these Brits above the border keep the audience roaring with laughter.  Funny as Hell: Part 1 premieres Saturday, September 17, 11:00pm ET/PT.  Funny as Hell: Part 2 premieres Saturday, September 24, 10:30pm ET/PT as part of the Ministry of Laughs.

STUNTS

BATTLESTAR FROM THE BEGINNING

Catch up on this epic series as it airs from the beginning.  The brainchild of legendary Hollywood producer Glen A. Larson (Magnum P.I., Knight Rider), and penned by Ronald D. Moore (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager), Battlestar Galactica has become a cult-favorite since its re-imagining first hit television screens.  Battlestar From The Beginning airs Friday, September 2, 9:00pm-Saturday, September 3, 6:00pm ET/PT.

Top Gear LABOR DAY BLOWOUT

This Labor Day Weekend, avoid the traffic and hit the road with James, Jeremy and Richard for a look back at some of the most amazing Top Gear moments.   Top Gear Labor Day Blowout airs Sunday, September 4, 6:00am-Monday, September 5, 6:00am ET/PT and Monday, September 5, 8:00am-9:00pm ET/PT.

BBC EARTH SUNDAY

The BBC Earth block takes audiences into the depths of the ocean and across the African plains to capture some of the most intimate moments of wildlife creatures in their natural habitat.  Don’t miss these five incredible back-to-back specials, including: Hammerhead, Jungle: Waterworld, Cheetahs: Fast Track to Freedom, Lion: Spy in the Den and The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth.  BBC Earth Sunday airs Sunday, September 25, 12:00pm-5:00pm ET/PT.

BEST OF RAMSAY’S Kitchen Nightmares

Join superstar chef Gordon Ramsay as he spends the day serving up tough advice to failing restaurants in this special all-day marathon of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.  There’s no shortage of abrasive straight-talk and no-nonsense critique as Ramsay visits troubled restaurants and gives them one week to turn around.  Best of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares airs Tuesday, September 27, 8:00am-9:00pm ET/PT.

ONGOING PREMIERES

Other series that will continue to premiere new episodes during September include:

Mondays: Top Gear

Tuesdays:  Gordon Ramsay’s F Word

Wednesdays: Law & Order: UK, The Hour

Saturdays: Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, Outnumbered, Friday Night Dinner