Elba's Exiles Spy Thriller Set for May 2027
Idris Elba co-wrote the first MI6 novel in the Exiles series with Adam Hamdy, with Bantam publishing the hardcover.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Action/Adventure
Idris Elba's MI6 spy thriller Exiles, co-written with bestselling author Adam Hamdy, is scheduled for release in May 2027. Executive Editor Julian Pavia acquired the rights to three books in the series, with the first following MI6 field operative Joe Kane.
Why it matters
The series extends Elba's recent run of high-profile screen work into publishing, and the three-book acquisition signals a planned multi-title franchise. Elba is simultaneously tied to several upcoming film projects, reflecting continued demand for his action and thriller work across media.
Rights to three books in the Exiles series were acquired, with the first Bantam hardcover set for May 2027 alongside a simultaneous audiobook. Release dates for the subsequent two titles were not disclosed in the announcement.
The players
Idris Elba
British actor known for roles in The Wire, Luther, and the Marvel and Fast & Furious franchises, who co-wrote Exiles and starred in Masters of the Universe for Amazon MGM.
Adam Hamdy
Bestselling thriller author who co-wrote the Exiles series with Idris Elba.
Julian Pavia
Executive Editor at Bantam who acquired the rights to three books in the Exiles series.
The details
Exiles follows Joe Kane, an MI6 field operative, and was co-written by Idris Elba and Adam Hamdy. An audiobook version of the first book will be released at the same time as the hardcover, which is published by Bantam.
Timeline
December 4, 2026: Above the Below, Elba's sci-fi thriller, is set for theatrical release.
January 15, 2027: Children of Blood and Bone is scheduled to open.
March 19, 2027: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is scheduled to launch worldwide.
May 2027: Exiles, the first MI6 spy thriller in the series, is scheduled for release.
Industry Dynamics
The Exiles deal reflects a broader pattern in which established screen stars such as Idris Elba move into original thriller fiction to build multi-platform franchises. Publishers acquiring multi-book rights rather than single titles signal confidence in extending that cross-media momentum.
Readers will be able to get the first Exiles book as a Bantam hardcover or as a simultaneous audiobook when it releases in May 2027. The third Extraction film, already filmed, will be available through Netflix later in 2027.
The takeaway
Readers following Idris Elba's work across film, streaming and publishing can track the Exiles series' May 2027 debut as the first installment of a planned three-book run. The release timing also gives a near-term window to watch the Above the Below theatrical opening in December 2026.
What happens next
Above the Below opens in theaters on December 4, 2026, and the first Exiles book is due in May 2027.
Further reading
For more on the genre, see the Action/Adventure section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Collider.
