Luther

:

Season 2
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 181 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 181
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 181
  3. Negative: 56 out of 181
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. MarcDoyle
    Oct 1, 2011
    9
    An excellent start to the second season. I loved the first. Idris Elba truly stretches his acting legs after playing it very minimal in The Wire. I love seeing what he does with his now-damaged psyche, and how he reacts to his colleagues, criminals, and his former nemesis.
  2. hoops2448
    Oct 7, 2011
    10
    While the first season of Luther concentrated too much on being a continuous story the second settles with the dark, disturbing tone it was always made to flaunt. Idris Elba has finally found his grove with episodes from the 1st season (especially the pilot) being particularly sketchy. That being said, Elba is a commanding presence in this season and the introduction of AimeeWhile the first season of Luther concentrated too much on being a continuous story the second settles with the dark, disturbing tone it was always made to flaunt. Idris Elba has finally found his grove with episodes from the 1st season (especially the pilot) being particularly sketchy. That being said, Elba is a commanding presence in this season and the introduction of Aimee Ffion-Edwards' Jenny seems to bring the best out of Elba and Luther with them having a great chemistry. The wrapping up of the loose ends left by the end of the 1st season only bring about more problems for Luther but instead of him feeling like an anchor on the story like last season, he is entertaining and captivating as he tries to find a way out of them. The return of Ruth Wilson's Alice helps set up the arc of the season perfectly, its just a shame she isn't in every episode as she is engrossing as the uber-intelligent and manic killer that she is. Overall there are very few problems with the second season as Neil Cross seems to have looked at what didn't work about the 1st and adjusted his perspective. Its still the same dark and twisted tale of morality but seems to have become a lot more fun while twice as disturbing. If there was a problem it would probably be the addition of the character of Erin Gray who just seems to be a different take on Saskia Reeves character from the 1st season just without as much of a presence. Overall its damn near perfect television which will stay with you hours after you watch it, if not only because you won't be able to sleep. My advice, watch it in the morning,… Expand
  3. jjolla88a
    Dec 2, 2011
    5
    The first season was fantastic ... but this one has one missing ingredient. Sadly, the creators of this series have banished Alice Morgan to only a few minutes total. She was the special sauce that made season 1 so incredible. What were the writers smoking when they adopted the strategy of sidelining her? Hopefully they will sober up by the third season. Bring her back!
  4. donelson
    Sep 23, 2012
    2
    A seemingly omnipotent villain, a smouldering idiot of a hero, cardboard cutout superiors, and pedestrian production doom this sad attempt at Angry-Loner-Cop-Show.
  5. TheKiddy
    Sep 4, 2013
    4
    I am disappointed by what I saw trending in last season's Luther and is in the first two episodes in spades: the Criminal Minds style demented serial killer Jack the Ripper-ish etc. that the British love so. Shame shame Neil Cross. There's a great deal that's terrific about season 2, but nothing to compare to the wonderful Alice story. I like the new girl friend but based on the trailerI am disappointed by what I saw trending in last season's Luther and is in the first two episodes in spades: the Criminal Minds style demented serial killer Jack the Ripper-ish etc. that the British love so. Shame shame Neil Cross. There's a great deal that's terrific about season 2, but nothing to compare to the wonderful Alice story. I like the new girl friend but based on the trailer guess she might be a plant. Oh lord.… Expand
  6. Thug-Negus
    Feb 29, 2012
    10
    No wonder that Idris Elba has won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of DCI Luther, excellent tv show, the scenarios are original and realistic and above all no rude words in each sentence as in the American series.
  7. DumDumDugan
    Sep 29, 2011
    10
    First off Idris Elba is an outstanding actor who gives a great performance as the very flawed Luther in this amazing Drama. Neil Cross has created what I consider to be a masterpiece. He has created a series with very interesting characters and unique and creative plots. You don't often find shows as well done as this. Fans of the first series will definitely enjoy this second series andFirst off Idris Elba is an outstanding actor who gives a great performance as the very flawed Luther in this amazing Drama. Neil Cross has created what I consider to be a masterpiece. He has created a series with very interesting characters and unique and creative plots. You don't often find shows as well done as this. Fans of the first series will definitely enjoy this second series and people looking for a very different police drama will also enjoy this.… Expand
  8. wareagle12
    Jul 3, 2011
    10
    Outstanding sophomore effort for the British detective show. After finishing a compelling first six episode season Neil Cross returned with two two part episodes that blow the audiences minds. Creating two complex and frightening killers the show builds two phenomenal cases. The story also take John Luther down a creative and challenging path giving Idris Elba an outlet to show off hisOutstanding sophomore effort for the British detective show. After finishing a compelling first six episode season Neil Cross returned with two two part episodes that blow the audiences minds. Creating two complex and frightening killers the show builds two phenomenal cases. The story also take John Luther down a creative and challenging path giving Idris Elba an outlet to show off his superior acting chops. A definite recommendation for any fan of well done television.… Expand
  9. jack977
    Jan 2, 2013
    9
    Despite the conspicuous absence of Alice being sorely felt, the second season remains consistently watchable thanks to the excellent character development of Luther (watch out especially for the chemistry between him and Mark North) and the excellent acting from the cast.
  10. Winterbeat
    Mar 25, 2012
    10
    Luther is a fantastic show, and the cast keep consistently delivering good performances. The show is very different than most of the other shows it shares it's genre with, and Idris Elba's powerful performance is second to none. I enjoyed this show just as much as I enjoyed BBC's Sherlock, however Luther seems to have a bit more heart. A definite must-see. A+
  11. Archiekins
    Sep 3, 2013
    9
    While the first season had more of a continuous storyline, this series splits up into two, two-part episodes, featuring two separate crimes to be solved. Although the first season was better in my opinion, this is still an incredibly acted, well written and well directed series. Don't miss it.
  12. elained
    Aug 2, 2015
    2
    Luther went downhill so fast it made my head spin! Season I, Zoe is dead. Season 2, who is Zoe and who cares? Nooooooo. And I want more ALICE. Oh well, what I get is idiocy. With Luther putting a band-aid on a nail hole in his hand! All the way through? Oh yeah, he's not Luther, he's SHAFT. Well, I'm shafting Luther right now. Ciao silly show.
  13. SimboTheKing
    Mar 30, 2023
    8
    Another great season of Luther in which the only real criticism I can give it is that it sometimes relies a tiny bit too much on tropes and there are some situations that do stretch the beliavibility a bit. However, I am a big fan of both the more serial storytelling style and a greater exploration of the grey morality of Luther. The show is very lucky to have such an inspired actor asAnother great season of Luther in which the only real criticism I can give it is that it sometimes relies a tiny bit too much on tropes and there are some situations that do stretch the beliavibility a bit. However, I am a big fan of both the more serial storytelling style and a greater exploration of the grey morality of Luther. The show is very lucky to have such an inspired actor as Idris, when I compare this to another detective show I just watched (Perry Mason) the gravitas that Idris gives Luther makes the character feel so much more developed that Matthew Rhys' Perry. Really enjoying my rewatch so far and very excited to move onto S3!… Expand

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best TV Season of 2011
68
#68 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011
38
#38 Most Shared TV Season of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Sep 28, 2011
    70
    Luther may veer off course at times, but it just about works because Elba never oversells Luther's charisma.
    Read full review
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Sep 28, 2011
    80
    I promise you will roll your eyes at least once. And yet, each hour is so spellbinding, you may not realize you're leaving grip marks on your couch.
    Read full review
  3. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Sep 28, 2011
    83
    Series creator/writer Neil Cross continues to spin dark strands that stray unexpectedly into unsettling territory.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »