Luther: Episode One (BBC-1 4 May 2010, Indira Varma)

In the first episode of Luther, intelligent DCI John Luther is back on the force after a leave of absence following his bringing to justice of killer Henry Masden but he is very quickly thrust back into the action with the murder of the parents of former child genius Alice Morgan. To John’s eyes it is clear that Alice is the killer but there is not a single shred of evidence to mark her as guilty.

Alice seems to thrive on the knowledge that she is untouchable but without the murder weapon Luther is seemingly powerless to bring her to justice.

The opening scenes are fantastically paced, set the scene that Luther takes things rather too personally and Ruth Wilson as Alice proves what a capable actor she is, surely destined for major things.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast Tuesday 4 May 2010

Writer: Neil Cross / Producer: Kate Swinden / Production Design: Paul Cross / Director: Brian Kirk

Series: Luther Season 1 Episode 1

cast
IDRIS ELBA as D.C.I. John Luther
RUTH WILSON as Alice Morgan
ANTON SAUNDERS as Henry Masden
STEVEN MACKINTOSH as D.C.I. Ian Reed
INDIRA VARMA as Zoe Luther
PAUL McGANN as Mark North
SASKIA REEVES as D.S.U. Rose Teller
WARREN BROWN as D.S. Justin Ripley
MATTHEW MARSH as D.C.S.U. Russell Cornish