BBC One has announced the commission of a new six-part drama from the creator of Luther.

Written by Neil Cross, Hard Sun is described as a “pre-apocalyptic crime drama set in contemporary London”.

Polly Hill, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, commented: “I am thrilled that BBC One is the home for Neil Cross’s new original drama, Hard Sun. Neil has written a crime series that is bold, ambitious, relevant and dark but it’s also very moving and told through complex extraordinary characters. It’s brilliantly written and very exciting. I am also pleased that this is Euston Film’s first commission and this really does promise to be an original and compelling drama for 2017.”

Kate Harwood, Managing Director of Euston Films, added: “The concept of Hard Sun is characteristically bold, richly peopled and of course deliciously scary. We can’t wait to get started.”

In addition to Luther, Neil Cross has previously written episodes of Doctor Who, The Fixer and Spooks.

The official synopsis reads: “Detectives Elaine Renko and Robert Hicks, partners and enemies, seek to enforce the law and protect their loved ones in a world that every day slips closer to certain destruction.”

Writer Neil Cross teased: “Imagine the world you see when you look out your window… except it’s been given a death sentence. This isn’t science fiction. This is the real world. There’s no hero to come save us; no contingency plan. We’ve got five years.

“This is the world of Hard Sun… and the world of Elaine Renko and Robert Hicks. What’s it like, trying to keep order, trying to enforce the law in a city that, day by day, slips closer to certain destruction? How do you get up in the morning? How do you get out of bed and leave your family and go out there, putting your own life at risk?

“And what about the predators? What about the murderers, the rapists, the thieves? What about the psychopaths, the religious nuts, the cult leaders, the serial killers? Who among them would fear a prison sentence, in a world like this? Who among them would fear legal consequences? What does a life sentence even mean, any more? What’s the point of justice in the face of Armageddon?

“I’ve had Renko and Hicks and their world rattling round my head for a while now. I’m incredibly happy that, like me, they’ve found their home at the BBC. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”

Hard Sun will be filmed in and around London next year and will air on BBC One in 2017.

Luther returns to BBC One this month with a new two-part special.

> Buy the complete Luther Season 1-3 box set on Amazon.

Are you looking forward to Hard Sun? Let us know below…