Idris Elba returns as the eponymous DCI, teaming up with new recruit DS Catherine Halliday to deal with a series of seemingly indiscriminate killings
Idris Elba returns as the troubled cop in a final series of the gritty crime drama
It’s been one hell of a ride since DCI John Luther burst on to our screens back in 2010, but Idris Elba takes his final bow as the London detective – on the small screen, at least – this week.
With plenty of loose ends to be tied up in this final four-part series, and lots of old friends returning, Luther and his new assistant, DS Halliday (BAFTA winner Wunmi Mosaku) are hunting a depraved serial killer. Hermione Granger is excellent as the mysterious Dr Lake, and there are sure to be plenty of dark twists and terrifying moments as this macabre drama promises to bow out with a bang.
Continues tomorrow.
TV Times rating: *****
Here, Idris, 46, gives us some extra insight into the new series, as well as his take on the rumoured return of Luther’s oldest nemesis, Alice Morgan…
What was it like to return to Luther for series five?
It was good and Neil Cross has written a compelling final series. It’s been eight years on Luther and it’s a tough show to make because it’s really gruelling. The subject matter can be a bit depressing as well, if I’m honest, but the fans really love it so we love making it.
Is this definitely the last series?
The next step is to make a film, I think. We’ve got a skeleton of an idea for the plot and I’m not allowed to say too much, but this story very much has the film in its sights.
Is it the darkest series yet?
It’s definitely the one where he really lets go the most. There are some horrible bad guys and lots of threads from the past come together. We also get answers to some of the questions that have been following Luther around for years. There are things we haven’t seen in Luther before, but they stay true to the show. How do you catch the kind of person we’re trying to catch? Will Luther get outsmarted?
The trailer suggests Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson) will be back…
There are three or four storylines going at the same time and some characters from the past that are coming back. There’s no doubt that audiences want to see Alice Morgan again and we left what happened to her open. I think I can safely say we answer that in this season!
How does Luther get on with new assistant Catherine?
Very well. She does things by the book – it’s good to have someone watching John to keep him on the right side of the law. She’s a strong character and that’s really good because we were criticised for gender imbalance in the early days. Wunmi is brilliant as well; she fits into the show perfectly.
