Luther
What if your worst enemy was your own conscience?
Created by Neil Cross
On BBC One
A taut psychological thriller that treats its detective protagonist as morally compromised as the killers he pursues, sustained across 20 episodes by interior dread rather than plot momentum.
A dark psychological crime drama starring Idris Elba as Luther, a man struggling with his own terrible demons, who might be as dangerous as the depraved murderers he hunts.
Where to watch
- StreamHBO Max, Hulu, Spectrum On Demand, Philo, AMC+, BritBox, Acorn TV
- FreeHoopla
- BuyApple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Questions people ask
Is Luther scary? Yes, very. More frightening than 97% of series.
Is Luther sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of series.
Does Luther leave you hopeful? No. Less hopeful than 95% of series.
Is Luther easy watching? No. Less comforting than 94% of series.
Is Luther violent? Yes, very. More violent than 92% of series.
Is Luther one of a kind? Barely. Less singular than 89% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
You have seen this shape before.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like Luther, and what each one shares →
Like Luther
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Luther
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Luther, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Luther, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Luther, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
