TV Blog: Luther
Much to my annoyance, it's become fashionable in certain circles to knock British TV when comparing it to recent US output. OK, those doing the knocking are mostly film snobs who feel the need to excuse enjoying something on the small screen by focusing on a subset of high brow HBO output - while ignoring the fact that bulk of American telly is equally, if not far more, variable than the standard of UK programming. New US imports are praised unconditionally while home-grown shows are dismissed, nit-picked over or just plain ignored. Extra fuel was thrown on the fire by Dominic West, British-born star of The Wire, who recently made it clear he felt we were lagging behind in the drama stakes. As someone who couldn't disagree more strongly with such assertions, it's heartening to see his fellow ex-pat Wire co-star Idris Elba return to these shores to front new cop show Luther, and for the programme to deliver so comprehensively in the quality stakes.
Breaking away from the forensics teamwork focus of CSI or Waking the Dead that have dominated police dramas over the past ten years, the programme is centred on one brilliant policeman, played by Elba, who returns to work after suspension for an act of vengeance on a suspect. The programme is admirable for casting a black man in its lead role and not making the show a one dimensional comment on race – two episodes in and it hasn't even been mentioned. Instead, Luther is more concerned with questions of male identity as our hero struggles with bouts of extreme anger and depression connected to his inability to stop crimes, and hold down a relationship with his estranged wife.
So far, so every troubled-genius-cop-show. What makes Luther stick out is the way all the elements gel. Part gritty urban thriller, part 21st century Sherlock Holmes (complete with an Irene Adler style minx in the shape of Ruth Wilson who is having a blast) Luther is directed like a Michael Mann movie with seriously classy production values and Bond-style opening credits. Shabby, small scale, unambitious – all criticism levelled at British TV - it ain't. I bet the yanks will love it, even if the Brits miss the boat.
You can watch Luther on the BBC iplayer.