--- title: "Luther: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/luther/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/luther" critics_score: 64 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Luther (2010): what the critics said Critics' score 64 from 8 reviews: 6 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics like Luther, and nearly all of them like Idris Elba. The reviews agree that his performance as the maverick detective carries the series: commanding, angry, and lively enough to make the familiar troubled-cop clichés feel worth watching. Ruth Wilson’s Alice draws the next most praise, with several critics singling out the cat-and-mouse flirtation between the two as a promising element across the six episodes. Neil Cross’s writing is credited by the warmer reviews with keeping the show intelligent and its grim tone consistent. The spread is wide, though. Even admirers concede the procedural bones are tired and that the midsection sags. Two British reviews go much further: The Guardian finds the characters and plot devices implausible and the show’s bid for intelligence unconvincing, and The Telegraph says the writing lets Elba down after the expectations set by The Wire. The American trade reviews, arriving later, are markedly kinder. ## The Times — Andrew Billen Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2010. The critic highlights the strong writing by Neil Cross that keeps jokes and metaphors intact and praises Idris Elba's commanding performance as the maverick detective, noting he has cause to be arrogant about his talents. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/article/last-nights-tv-luther-9m3wtccql3m) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Rating B. 17 October 2010. The critic sees the series as a solid but clichéd vehicle for Idris Elba as a troubled cop, with familiar procedural elements and plotting. Ruth Wilson stands out as the compelling, malevolent Alice, creating strong chemistry in their cat-and-mouse dynamic. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/luther-episode-one-1798166271) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Scott Timberg Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2010. Strong writing and a fine cast, especially Idris Elba as the title character, make this grim British export a compelling, intelligent cop show devoted to investigation and character. Its understated, grim tone and psychological focus set it apart from conventional procedurals. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/luther-tv-review-30528/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2010. The review commends Idris Elba for bringing life to cop-show clichés and notes the intriguing pathological flirtation with the killer as a promising element reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter intrigue. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/last-night-s-tv-luther-bbc1-true-stories-erasing-david-more-4-1962325.html) ## Variety — Brian Lowry Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 October 2010. The six-part series reinvigorates a tired premise of a brilliant but troubled cop hunting criminals through an unpredictable cat-and-mouse game. It sags a bit in the midsection but is well worth the investment, thanks in large part to Idris Elba's performance. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2010/tv/reviews/luther-1117943841/) ## The Guardian — Sam Wollaston Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2010. The critic finds Luther an above-average cop show that tries hard to be intelligent but ultimately fails to convince. He singles out the implausible characters, relationships, and plot devices like the yawn test for criticism while noting Idris Elba's enthusiastic performance. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/may/05/luther-boats-built-britain-review) ## The Telegraph — Serena Davies Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2010. The review praises Idris Elba's casting as the lead but finds the series lets him down with unconvincing writing and intuition scenes that fall short of the hype from The Wire. It notes mild interest in the protagonist's scrapes but overall disappointment. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7678585/Luther-BBC-One-review.html) ## Den of Geek — Mark Pilkington Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2010. The critic calls the premiere a strong, tense introduction that ticks all the right boxes for a psychological detective drama. Idris Elba delivers an outstanding performance as the complex, angry lead, with Ruth Wilson particularly memorable as the vampy villainess Alice. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/luther-episode-1-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/luther.md