2. Luther is a British psychological crime drama television series starring Idris Elba
as the title character, Detective Chief Inspector John Luther. A first series of six
episodes was broadcast on BBC One from 4 May to 8 June 2010. The second
series of four episodes was shown on BBC One in summer 2011. The third
series of four episodes ran from 2 to 23 July 2013.
Neil Cross is the creator of this series. He has confirmed that Luther will not
return for a fourth television series, although there are plans to turn it into a
feature film.
Elba has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a
Miniseries or Television Film for each consecutive season, winning at the 69th
Golden Globe Awards. The series has also received eight Primetime Emmy
Award nominations.
3. GENRE + โZEITGEISTโ
Luther is a psychological crime drama that is set in modern times. It meets the
general representation that is a psychological drama, as in each episode it
slowly reveals each case that Luther has to uncover bit by bit to the audience
and therefore creating that suspense usually associated with crime dramas.
Luther also Captures the zeitgeist of modern times as in the episodes hints of
the time period it is in are given off subtlety, such as the use of iPhones or new
technology that can be found in the twenty first century.
4. CAMERA SHOTS
Both these shots are low angled
shots. Low angled shots are
frequently used in the television
series Luther as it demonstrates the
main character Luther's (Idris Elba)
denominate behaviour to both his
surrounding and other people.
5. MEIS-EN-SCENE
Crime Dramas seek to anchor the representations of all types of police
officers, criminals and victims as โbelievableโ characters, with โrealisticโ
plot lines, set in urban locations.
Luther is set in London and features a variety of well known locations in
its episodes such as Big Ben and The Thames. The character Luther
however plays with what is represented as a typical cop/detective. As
he portrays a very different approach to cases, such as anger and
impatience. Luther is often described as a psychotic genius Idris Elba
also brings a very intense feeling to the roll which comes across as not
typical to detectives in the regular world.
6. HOW DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE REPRESENTED
IN THE SERIES
Genders
In this series the men are usually the more dominate characters as the lead role Luther
is a very strong minded, independent man that over powers most other characters in
both appearance and mental ability. Also many of the main criminals or villains are often
played by men, this is usually because they are more apparent to the stereotype
associated with crime drama villains as they bring a challenge for superiority against
Luther by also being physically dominant in appearance or behaviour where as the
women donโt offer this as much.
The women in Luther are most of the time portrayed quiet stereotypically. However there
is the rare exception for example: Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson) is the murderer in the first
episode and is someone who Luther cant bring himself to arrest and therefore uses her
as an advisor to other crimes as to the motive. Alice is a psychotic yet genius of a
women and offers a different perspective to the murder stereotype.
7. HOW DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE REPRESENTED
IN THE SERIES
Age
In Luther the stereotype of the older you are the wiser you are. This
is apparent as a lot of the younger characters seek advice from
older people or idolise them for example DS Justin Ripley who is
an ambitious young detective idolises Luther and is constantly
trying to impress him.
