261 replies to this topic

[tweety27]

Idris Elba stars in Neil Cross' first, thrilling, six-part series Luther, a dark psychological crime thriller that takes a bold new look at the detective genre on BBC One.
Elba, best known for his performance in the award-winning HBO series The Wire, playing drug kingpin Russell Stringer Bell, now finds himself on the other side of the law as John Luther, a near-genius murder detective whose brilliant mind can't always save him from the dangerous violence of his passions.
Idris Elba is joined by an all-star cast--Ruth Wilson (Small Island, Jane Eyre) is Alice Morgan, beautiful, extraordinarily intelligent and a key witness in Luther's first investigation; Steven Mackintosh (Criminal Justice ) is Detective Chief Inspector Ian Reed, Luther's loyal friend and work colleague; Indira Varma (Rome) is Zoe Luther, whose had the strength to walk away from the man she still loves; Paul McGann (Withnail and I,Horatio Hornblower) is Mark North, unafraid to compete with Luther for Zoe's love; Saskia Reeves (Bodies) is Detective Superintendent (DSU) Rose Teller, Luther's risk-taking boss;, and Warren Brown (Occupation) is Detective Sergeant, Justin Ripley, Luther's loyal, awestruck new partner.

Now on episode two, wondering if anyone else has seen this new drama on BBC1. Looks good so far.

[pinkmoon]

I'm enjoying this one. It's nothing new, but the cast is solid and I like the relationship between Luther and that sociopath. And the ex-wife (I love Indira Varma.)

[sacreseries]

I'm enjoying it too. For the same reason than Pinkmoon.
It's nothing new but the characters are interesting enough. Beside, Luther (Idris Alba) is a great cop, really clever with a lot of charisma.

[anima52]

Idris Alba is gorgeous, I loved Indira Varma in Rome and Ruth Wilson in Jane Eyre, but this series is poorly written and therefore I can't suspend my disbelief. I won't be watching it any more...

[shortpplfedup]

I love love LOVE this show. I'm so sad that next week is the series finale! BBC had better bring it back for another one! Tonight (ep5) they really brought the A-game and started twisting together a lot of the threads they've been laying out all series. Can't believe Ian killed Zoe!. Cannot WAIT to see how it all plays out next week!

[telly]

Wow. Just finished episode 5 and they have really stepped this up a notch. I really hope there is another series in the works, although I guess it will depend on what happens next week.

[becbo]

I've watched every ep so far, and until lasts nights it wasn't because I enjoyed it that much. I think this show has certain aspects that I like and the actors have enough charisma to keep me coming back especially when there's so little else to watch on tv. Ep 5 however was pretty awesome, did not see that going down the way it did. Next weeks finale looks good too teaming up with a crazy murderess ftw!

[NIccibee]

LOL Luther is such an amazing screw-up!

I'm really enjoying this show, although some parts of it are really nasty and hard to watch such as last week's episode with the serial killer - the bit where the wife realises what he's been doing was very upsetting (and well-acted) and I was totally shocked by her hammer attack.

I wish there were a few more episodes left though - I feel like we're only just getting to know everyone, especially characters such as Ian.

[ovrdedge]

I am enjoying the show but despite his charisma, I think Idris Alba chews the scenery a bit too much as Luther. I find myself rolling my eyes when he does his weekly "I have major anger management issues and will now demonstrate by smashing a door to smithereens with my bare hands and legs or smashing my office furniture" routine. It really requires major suspension of disbelief to buy that any cop can get away with that sort of unprofessional anger outbursts at work on a regular basis. Also, what a waste of Paul McGann.

That said, ep 5 certainly had some major twists although I am not sure how they are going to redeem Luther for a second series. Luther helped cover up Ian's involvement in the theft, and according to the promo, will be working with a (psycho) murder suspect from a previous case to help get revenge on Ian. If any of that comes to light, he should be sacked.

I was surprised that Ian were as far as he did. I thought he would eat his gun after his unintentional killing of Zoe, and that Luther would find Ian's dead body along with hers. I'm intrigued by the bits they showed in the promo for next week, as it looks like Ian helps to frame Luther for Zoe's murder, or at least goes along with what the other cops assume.

Funny how thanks to Band of Brothers, I immediately recognized that Sugarman was played by Ross McCall just from his voice. And wow, what kind of psycho cuts out a hostage's tongue?? That is just unnecessarily gross and cruel. Doesn't he know that you start with a finger? That said, I cheered when the thief husband got caught, since he callously made off with the (fake) diamonds and wrote off his poor tongueless wife.

[shortpplfedup]

Ep 6

This last act has been a sharp and excellent twist on Othello. I wouldn't be surprised if Othello was some of the inspiration for the series, especially given some of the names. It's a bit of a stretch possibly, but Luther/Othello, Ian/Iago...it's not unthinkable. And the last scene definitely had some echoes of the play. All in all, well done, and I hope it comes back for another series, if only to see Alice get brought to justice!

[EmpressbyNature]

It's Idris ~Elba~. I just finished this series in the span of a week. I quite enjoyed it and it definitely picked up as the episodes went on since I found the pilot not bad, but a bit melodramatic at times. The actors are all really charismatic and multi-faceted, especially Ruth Wilson, who is pretty effing adorable. I loved Alice and Luther's interaction, even though it could be difficult to believe at times, they did have great chemistry.

I read somewhere that there isn't going to be a second series, which I am fine with, despite the cliffhangery ending. Everything definitely picked up towards the end. The show was picked up to be aired on BBC America, so hopefully this thread will be more active then.

Concerning the series finale, I found it interesting that Mark believed Luther so readily, but not entirely unbelievable since on a deeper level he knew that Luther couldn't do it, possibly. Ian was really well-played, how he chose to either kill or die but not anything in between. He was really good at the goading. Man, I don't think I ever want Alice to be brought to justice. In real life, obviously I would, but on the show she is just too entertaining to be stuck in prison.

[ovrdedge]

I read somewhere that there isn't going to be a second series

Really? Were the ratings bad?

Personally, I have mixed feelings about that. The last 2 eps were tense and exciting and all that, but at the same time, it's all rather ludicrous and over the top too. If after all that went down, a season 2 started with things all back to normal, I'd have to roll my eyes a lot. Even though Luther proved he was innocent and that Ian killed Zoe, he is still guilty of obstruction. And how are they going to explain Alice shooting Ian? It was in cold blood, not self-defense. Also, would they start S2 with a "previously" voiceover, followed by a montage of Luther losing his temper and smashing stuff? That would be very funny.

I found Ruth Wilson's character annoying in the first couple of episodes because she was so annoying and creepy with her stalker behavior. But once they toned it down, I started to enjoy her twisted relationship with Luther a lot more. Ian was really good with the goading and I thought he obviously was trying to get them to kill him. So when Alice started in about how Ian didn't want to die really, I was like, huh? She did warn Luther about making sure he kept in control, but sure enough, he couldn't. Luther should have just knocked Ian out cold once he started talking and trying to make him lose his shit. Ian knew exactly which buttons to push when it came to Luther and Zoe.

[Paul O Regan]

I read somewhere that there isn't going to be a second series

The DVD only calls the series "Luther", rather than "Series One" or whatever, so it looks that way.

http://www.amazon.co...duct/B003EELZH6

[McBrien76]

The ratings went down over the six week run.

The first episode attracted 5.8m viewers, but then it was up against fairly weak competition in the form of ITV's precinct based police drama, 'The Bill' which has been axed after 26 years due to falling ratings caused by an unecessary and unpopular revamp and is now just limping along until the final episode airs at the end of the summer. Last year the show had twice the audience and won a BAFTA for Best Continuing Drama, hence why many feel that the revamp wasn't needed.

Episode 2 attracted 5.3 million viewers, with the same principle opposition.

By week 3, viewers were losing faith and overnight ratings dropped to 4.051m viewers, however, it still won it's slot as viewing figures were down across all channels due to the warmer weather enabling people to spend their evening outdoors.

By week 4, overnight figures were down to 3.99 million.

By week 5, ITV decided to strip the final stages of 'Britain's Got Talent' across 6 consecutive days, as a result all BBC shows took a ratings hit that week. Luther attracted 3.97m viewers, whilst even ratings bankers such as EastEnders suffered with figures of 5.9m compared to the more usual 8m.

The sixth and final episode of Luther managed 3.4m viewers, compared to the 5.3m who tuned in to the second episode of the mini-series, Father and Son, starring Dougray Scott which ITV stripped over four consecutive nights this week.

So even if they had been toying with the idea of a second season, the ratings aren't really high enough for a primetime drama on BBC1.

[ovrdedge]

Bumping this since the series is starting on BBC America.

Surprisingly, the BBC has commissioned a second series, although it will only be two two-hour specials.

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."

[cycat]

Also, what a waste of Paul McGann.

Darn. He's the primary reason for my interest in this series.

Oh well — any Paul McGann is better than none.

[taiko]

Bumping this since the series is starting on BBC America.

10 PM Sunday night on my cable. I wonder if it will be on demand?

The sneak peak we got starts out like Stringer Bell's last stand on The Wire

[cycat]

Yay, it's on OnDemand!

I liked it, although the character of Luther is already stretching my suspension of disbelief, he's so...wayward and tantrum-y. I like his boss. The girl playing the psychopath looks so familiar.... She was successfully chilling, I thought.

And it may be simply because I'm well-disposed towards Paul McGann, but I was happy to see his character show concern for Luther, regarding Zoe breaking the news to him. It's an uncomfortable situation, and it's refreshing to see that nobody involved is taking it blithely.

[AimingforYoko]

The girl playing the psychopath looks so familiar

She was in the AMC remake of The Prisoner. I enjoyed, though as cycat said, bring your suspension of disbelief. Yes, I remember thinking as a colleague of mine didn't yawn: psychopath. That's quite a leap. Idris Elba is always compelling, though and I'd watch him in anything. (Except Obsessed.)

Edited by AimingforYoko, Oct 18, 2010 @ 6:42 PM.

[meepster]

She's good, and was about the only good thing in The Prisoner, but her upper lip looks like a duck bill and it drives me crazy.

Why does Luther always stand so crookedly? His head is always heading off at an angle.

[Peekay]

You mean Ruth Wilson? She was also Jane Eyre in the most recent BBC adoptation that came out a few years ago. I've seen pretty much every Jane Eyre adoptations that there is, and I think she made for the best one I've seen. She's very impressive. And she was definitely interesting as Alice.

So I've been informed there would be a second series, or two two-hour specials for Luther. I don't know if this is going to be around this Christmas or next one. Does anyone know?

[catray]

Just watched the first episode-- I really like it! Dark, twisty, complex, sexy. Nice! Ruth Wilson is gorgeous (though I totally agree about the duck bill lip). So is Indira Varma-- lots of pretty here. Luther is a little out there, even for a take-the-law-into-my-own-hands kinda cop. But I thought this episode was good, very tense and next week's looks good too.

[hardy har]

Other than the "ZOMG, she didn't YAWN!" thing immediately making Luther believe Alice was a sociopath/murderer, I thought this was pretty awesome. I've only seen Ruth Wilson in a couple things, but I find her really fascinating to watch and I thought she was all kinds of creepy here.

Oh, Idris Elba. I'm glad your finally in something that I don't feel embarrassed about watching. *cough*ObssessedandTakers*cough*

[Ahoskie59]

She was in the AMC remake of The Prisoner. I enjoyed, though as cycat said, bring your suspension of disbelief. Yes, I remember thinking as a colleague of mine didn't yawn: psychopath. That's quite a leap. Idris Elba is always compelling, though and I'd watch him in anything. (Except Obsessed.)

Obsessed was on cable and I STILL wouldn't watch. Ugh. Anyway, I thought the girl playing the psychopath was good but she kept distracting me because she looks like a young Nicole Kidman; and man did she have it bad for Luther...she's got good taste though for a wackadoodledo.

Anyway I thought it was okay but I hated the character of the wife. I can't stand it when they have female characters say stuff like, "You weren't THERE." It sounded so juvenile coming from the mouth of a grown woman. I mean I used to say stuff like that but I was 21; at 51 I know better. She should have said, "I can't stand you breaking down the damn drywall."

[Empress1]

Obsessed was on cable and I STILL wouldn't watch.

Ditto. I tried but only made it about ten minutes.

I love, love, love me some Idris Elba, though. I'm now watching The Big C entirely because he's on it in a small role, speaking in his real accent (and I saw his butt last night!) and being all gorgeous. (The Big C is not good.) He's one of those celebrities that would have me tongue-tied if I met him. Or naked. He could have me naked in seconds. So I will have to be sure to watch this. And Mad Men is over, so this makes a great Sunday at 10 replacement.

[Scorpiosrule]

Due to working late nights, I've only managed to watch half of the first episode!

And word to the posts upthread how Wilson's upper lip look like duckbill, lol.

I don't know if there are any L&O:CI fans/viewers here, but Alice eerily reminds of me of the character of Nicole Wallace, another psychotic, sociopathic killer/nemesis of D'Onofrio's Bobby Goren. She was played by Olivia D'Abo.

Just me then? Okay.

[mathhater]

God, it's great to see Idris Elba in something decent for once. His recent movie choices are baffling me-Obsessed and Prom Night to be exact, I actually liked The Losers. He's incredible as Luther.

Damn, Sunday nights are gonna be full of great TV with this and The Walking Dead on AMC.

[JeanPoole]

I thought it was merely ok. Elba was a bit OTP but Lord, that man can smoulder with the best of them. The premise is a bit tired but at least they're putting a lot of energy into it. The cast is solid and Ruth Wilson plays creepy very well...I think that's what made her Jane Eyre work so well. She does tend to bring the creep even when it's not called for so when it's called for, she shines.
Stephen M and Paul McG were wasted but they'll get more to do. The "wife" role was boilerplate-whiny though they tried to make her an independent professional. She still complained he wasn't there for her. He is a cop. Ladies, don't marry a cop or doc if you want them home by six every night. Apparently this is a big secret.
Luther's boss was a winner and she played it well. It's promising, if predictable, but better than any other new show I've seen on American television this Fall.

Edited by JeanPoole, Oct 20, 2010 @ 9:51 PM.

[GoddessofFolly]

Due to working late nights, I've only managed to watch half of the first episode!

And word to the posts upthread how Wilson's upper lip look like duckbill, lol.

I don't know if there are any L&O:CI fans/viewers here, but Alice eerily reminds of me of the character of Nicole Wallace, another psychotic, sociopathic killer/nemesis of D'Onofrio's Bobby Goren. She was played by Olivia D'Abo.

Just me then? Okay.

As I was watching it, I turned to my husband and said that the characters reminded me of Goren and Wallace. Nice to know I wasn't alone.

[Boobala]

I don't know if there are any L&O:CI fans/viewers here, but Alice eerily reminds of me of the character of Nicole Wallace, another psychotic, sociopathic killer/nemesis of D'Onofrio's Bobby Goren. She was played by Olivia D'Abo.

Just me then? Okay.

I was with you guys, too, though Luther's no Bobby - let's put those two in a room and see who lives. I'd like to chime in my love for Luther's little partner - have no idea what's in store for him, but he's a cutie and seems to roll with the eccentricity pretty well. Honestly don't care if this is good or not - I just love limited BBC series. That's the way to do TV.