Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Jay Hunt, Controller of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One, confirmed at the Edinburgh Television Festival today that two of the nation's most talked about dramas – Sherlock and Luther – have been recommissioned.

Jay Hunt says: "Sherlock was the hit of the Summer. Luther the most memorable new detective on the block. I am delighted they will both be returning to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One."

Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson, became a national phenomenon, being discussed in the House of Commons, Tweeted across the globe and even inspiring the next Autumn men's collections. It will return for another series of three 90-minute feature length episodes.

Co-creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat says: "We've been overwhelmed by the warmth of response to our new Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and can't wait to take them on three new adventures next year. There'll be baffling new puzzles, old friends and new enemies – whether on two or four legs. And we might well be seeing the cold master of logic and reason unexpectedly falling. But in love? Or over a precipice? Who can tell?"

Luther makes a welcome return in two two-hour specials with Idris Elba reprising his role of Luther, the near-genius murder detective whose brilliant mind can't always save him from the dangerous violence of his passions.

Idris Elba says: "I'm really excited to be coming home to play Luther again. He's got so many more stories to tell... assuming he manages to live long enough. I've cleared my diary and will be back later in the year."

Creator and writer Neil Cross says: "In series one, we saw DCI John Luther take quite a beating – both physically and emotionally. In these specials, he's not only still standing – he's back for more. Luther's world is as fast-moving and dangerous as ever... and the challenges he faces are even more intense."

Luther and Sherlock were commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Drama Commissioning, and Jay Hunt, Controller, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One, and will transmit in 2011.

SH5