Luther, Series 1
by Neil Cross (BBC, 2010)
Dark action/crime series with flashes of humour and exceptional performances from Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson, ably supported by Paul McGann, Saskia Reeves, et al. (The regulars and guest cast are uniformly excellent.) Alice Morgan emerges as one of television’s great sociopaths.
Luther: The Fallen Sun
by Neil Cross; dir. Jamie Payne (Netflix, 2023)
The manipulative, ‘hands off’ serial killer offers a point of difference (Andy Serkis, smilingly psychopathic). Still, Luther’s move from series to feature-length offers little to compensate for a pervading bleakness. Idris Elba is mostly consigned to staggering. Dermot Crowley brings some finesse.
Luther, Series 5
by Neil Cross; dir. Jamie Payne (BBC, 2019)
Luther comes full circle in this spiralling 4-part finale. The tone of previous series is maintained—the darkness of London as a killing field; Luther’s restless inner turmoil—and there are gripping performances cast-wide: Ruth Wilson; Dermot Crowley; Patrick Malahide; Enzo Cilenti.
Luther, Series 4
created by Neil Cross (BBC, 2015)
At two 1-hour episodes, this hardly constitutes a series. The story itself, though, contains all the dark hallmarks (except perhaps an over-the-top dénouement) of past outings. True to form, Luther must juggle his private investigations with the hunt for a serial killer.
Luther, Series 3
created by Neil Cross (BBC, 2013)
DCI John Luther again straddles the razor wire fence between breaking the law for his own benefit and for the public good. Idris Elba—facing a serial killer and then a vigilante—is powerful, moody, yet very human in the lead role.