'Masterpiece' crime series is 'best drama to watch on BBC iPlayer'

One crime drama has been hailed as the "best drama series to watch on BBC iPlayer", despite first airing more than 15 years ago. Luther is a British psychological crime thriller television series written by Neil Cross and starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther and Ruth Wilson as Alice Morgan.

The first series was released in 2010 and comprises a total of six episodes. Due to its popularity, Luther went on to run for another four series on top of the first and even a feature film continuation, Luther: The Fallen Sun, was released in 2023. Similar to the series, the film starred Elba, alongside Andy Serkis and Cynthia Erivo, and was written by Cross.

Elba has been awarded a Critics' Choice Television Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance as John Luther, and the series itself has also received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations in various categories, including four nominations for Elba in Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.

The series synopsis reads: "Luther is a brilliant but emotionally impulsive detective who is tormented by the dark side of humanity while hunting down murderers. Once the self-destructive detective knows the killer's identity, it becomes a psychological duel between predator and prey."

Stylist recognised Luther in its listing of "The best drama series to watch on BBC iPlayer", in the crime category.

Luther has amassed an average rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, no easy feat for a five-season crime drama. The critics' consensus states: "Gritty and ambiguous, Luther is a captivating drama bolstered by a powerhouse performance from Idris Elba in the title role."

One reviewer left a glowing review, they said: "This is one of the greatest TV shows I've ever seen in my life. Could not stop watching."

A Google reviewer described the series as a "masterpiece", while an IMDb user said it was "absolutely mindblowing".

Another said: "This is a true gem of a series, and in true British style, ends the first series only after 6 episodes, leaving you wanting more and more."

"John Luther, he's not a cop to be messed around with, smart, and not afraid to break the rules, and also has a devastating protector, Alice. It's a wonderful series, one that simply doesn't date or lose any of its shock value. It doesn't matter whether you watch Series One or Five; it still packs a punch. Scenes and scenarios worthy of horror films, Luther never shies away from being gruesome or macabre; it was never afraid to provide a shocking death," added a fifth.

Luther is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.