Idris Elba as DCI John Luther

Luther is a crime drama television series from the United Kingdom. It stars Idris Elba as DCI John Luther, the titular character. The first series, written by Neil Cross, comprises six hour-long episodes, made its debut on May 4 2010 and came to a conclusion on June 8 2010. The second series consists of four hour-long episodes. It premiered on BBC One from June 2011 to July 2011. Subsequent to the success of the first couple of series of the show, BBC commissioned a third series in 2012. This one was just like the second one; comprising four hour-long episodes. It made its debut on July 2 2013 and aired until July 23 2013. The fourth series comprised of four episodes and was aired on December 15 and December 22 in 2015.

As a result of his work in the TV show, Idris Elba has been recommended for a Golden Globe Award for the category of “Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film” for each successive series. He won the award at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards. The TV show has also been nominated eight times for Primetime Emmy Awards.

Storyline

The main character, John Luther, is a DCI (Detective Chief Inspector) who works in the Serious Crime Unit in the first series of the TV show. In the next two series, John Luther works in the newly formed Serious and Serial Crime Unit.

Luther is not just an enthusiastic police officer; he is possessed, obsessive, and every so often aggressive. Nonetheless, Luther has seen the fruits of this kind of enthusiasm. He has hardly ever been capable of preventing himself from letting the unrelenting darkness of the felonies with which he investigates get to him. Where John Luther is concerned, his work is the most important thing. His devotion is both a good and a bad thing—for him and for those closest to him.

Owing to a lack of evidence that he can use when the case goes to court, he is powerless to placing Alice Morgan under arrest. She is the killer in the series’ first episode. Throughout the first series, Alice Morgan becomes his stool pigeon and gives him information about the incentives of other dangerous criminals.

Back Story

The creator of the show, Neil Cross, has previously stated that the TV show draws inspiration from both Columbo and Sherlock Holmes. This is illustrated in the nature of John Luther's intelligence and how he uses it to resolve crimes. This is analogous to Sherlock Holmes. The show also uses an inverted detective format much like in Columbo.

The Future

Idris Elba has spoken of his eagerness for creating a film version of the TV series, he said that this is where the definitive story of John Luther et al will come to light. He spoke of a willingness to make London a setting for the film and a very ominous and ghastly character to go up against.

During a March 2012 interview with BBC Radio 4, Neil Cross said that there are plans afoot for a film adaptation of Luther that would commence production at the end of the show's third and final series, the third one. Two months later, in an interview, Elba said that the third series would be the lead-in for the film.