UK Television: Luther, Series 2 Preview

BBC One has given fans of Luther a very exciting present today:  a preview clip of series two!

Ever since the last second of series one ended I've been eagerly awaiting the start of series two.  As of right now, there isn't a set date when the series will begin but that information should be coming soon.  The clip certainly doesn't give any major plot points away but that's a good thing, I think.  It's always much more fun to see the shocking developments as they happen than to see/read spoilers and nothing be unexpected.

You can watch the clip here off the BBC's official YouTube network or you can go to the official BBC web site for Luther and watch the clip there (for UK residents only).

Idris Elba Nominated For a Golden Globe!

The amazing Idris Elba has received a Golden Globe nomination for his work as John Luther in the BBC series Luther.  His nomination is in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television category. 

Ian McShane (Pillars of the Earth), Al Pacino (You don't Know Jack), Dennis Quaid (The Special Relationship) and Edgar Ramierez (Carlos) are also nominated in the same category.

Congratulations, Idris!    Hopefully, come January 16, 2011, Idris and all of his fans will be celebrating his win!

If you would like to see the entire list of nominees for this year, you can visit the Official Golden Globes web site.
http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/

UK Television: BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" Filming a Second Series

Well, I'm just about as happy as happy can be here!

Ever since the first series of Luther ended a few months ago I have been wondering if the BBC One would renew the show for a second series.

Well, folks, wonder no longer.

According to information on the official Luther Facebook site, scripts for a second series are finished and the shooting for the second series has already begun.  There is even a photo of the scripts!  The Facebook posting was dated September 20th and the information given was "Scripts in.  Shoot starts two weeks today."

To read the postings on the Luther Facebook wall.  

To see the photo of the scripts.

BBC one also issued a press release announcing the recommissioning of Luther and the beyond excellent series Sherlock for second series'.  You can read the entire BBC one press release at their web site.

There's all kinds of great television news coming out of the UK right now, isn't there?  I can't wait to see Luther and the diabolical (but so likable) Alice back on the screen!

BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" Begins Airing in America

The psychological drama Luther will begin airing in the United States on BBC America at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, 2010.  The episode will be followed by Luther:  Inside Look - Episode 1.  This is "an exclusive behind the scenes look at tonights episode of Luther".

If you miss episode 1 this Sunday, don't worry!  It will be aired again:

Monday, October 18, 2010:
2:00 A.M., Episode 1
3:15 A.m., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

Thursday, October 21, 2010:
9:00 P.M., Episode 1
10:15 P.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

Friday, October 22, 2010:
12:00 A.M., Episode 1
1:15 A.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1
2:00 A.M., Episode 1
3:15 A.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

UK Television: Luther, North American DVD Release Information

Back on September 1st, I posted that the BBC One dramatic series Luther starring Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson would be coming to DVD in North America.  I didn't have many details then, but I've go them now!

BBC Warner will be releasing Luther as a 2-disc set on November 23, 2010.  The set will contain all six episodes of the series for a total of 360 minutes.  The retail price for the set is $34.98 but amazon.com currently has it up for pre-order for $25.99.  There's currently no info on a Blu-Ray release.  Just DVD.

As of right now, the box artwork hasn't been released and the only special feature listed is Luther:  The World of a True Maverick.  Closer to the date of release we will get to see what the artwork looks like and, hopefully, get more information about the special feature.  A few more special features wouldn't hurt either.  The more Luther the better, right?

Amazon.com Pre-Order Page:
Luther

BBC One Dramatic Series: "Luther" Coming to DVD in North America

It has been announced that Luther, the psychologically thrilling crime drama aired by BBC One a few months ago is scheduled for a North American DVD release.  On November 23, 2010 Warner Home Video will be releasing all six episodes on a 2 DVD set for a list price of $34.98.

There currently is no word about any possible extras/features and the package artwork is yet to be revealed.  Once more information is available I'll most certainly be posting it here!

BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" To Air in America

Great news for American fans of UK television and great psychological dramas.  It was recently announced the the UK drama Luther starring Idris Elba in the lead role as DCI John Luther will be airing later this year on BBC America. 

Luther currently has one fully-aired UK season under it's belt consisting of six, sixty-minute episodes.  As of right now there has been no determination by BBC as to whether or not there will be a second season of the show produced.

For more information about this exciting news and more information on the show, please visit the BBC America Press page for Luther.

Hopefully, the fact the show will be airing in the United States means Luther will see a US DVD release.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.6

As I suspected last week, the season finale of Luther does end with a bang--both literally and figuratively.  This episode is packed full of tension, excitement and jaw-dropping moments as John Luther is being hunted by his law enforcement colleagues as the murderer of his beloved ex-wife, Zoe.  Unlikely alliances are formed and we see actions from characters that are shockingly out-of-character from what they've done in past episodes.  Emotions run high on both sides of the fence.  Luther is angry and wanting revenge for Zoe's murder.  Reed is struggling with inner demons and trying to balance his greed with the fact he killed Zoe.  The police are having to hunt one of their own for a brutal crime. 

I actually found myself talking to the characters in this episode.  Urging them on to do certain things they were doing or telling them not to do something.  I love it when a show makes me do that.  When I become so involved in the show that I actually think I can convince a character to do something.  That's excellent drama.  This show has characters that I care about and want to see how things turn out for them.  The only bad thing about this episode that I could see was that it is the last Luther of this first season.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.6 Trailer

BBC One has uploaded a trailer for the season finale of Luther.  It appears this season is going to end with a big bang!

I've greatly enjoyed this first season of Luther and I sincerely hope we will be getting a second season of this, excellent, smart and tension-filled drama.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.5

This episode was amazing!  The ending was full of action and a huge surprise.  I wouldn't have expected the events that unfolded at the end to have happened at all. 

Episode five offers up several interesting plot twists and surprises.  The first surprise for me was when Luther asked Ripley to send information about an American suspect they had to a "Detective Munch in New York who works Special Victims".  Having been a fan of Richard Belzer's Detective John Munch character from the days he first appeared on Homicide:  Life on the Streets to his current stint on Law & Order:  Special Victims Unit it was quite a treat to see him mentioned in Luther.  I was really hoping to see John Munch, even for a few seconds, but, alas, that didn't happen.

As with each episode in this series thus far, this show delivers excellent tension and intriguing twists.  We have a heartless American bad guy, a good guy gone bad and a heartbreaking event at the end of the show.  There was a lot packed into the episode and it set the scene for next weeks season finale beautifully.

BBC One Dramatic Series: "Luther", Behind the Scenes, Madsen's Fall

The BBC has put up a four and a half minute "behind the scenes" video of the Henry Madsen fall from the very first episode of Luther.  I found it rather interesting to see how this tense scene was filmed.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 4

We are four episodes into the series now and there's been some time for viewers to start making comments about the show online.  I've read some these comments at various sites around the Internet and it seems that viewers either really love Luther or they really dislike it.  There is little middle ground.  Being someone who is used to the American style of television, I personally find this show quite refreshing.  I severely dislike reality programming preferring my entertainment to be of the scripted variety.  Sure, I love some flat-out nonsense fun entertainment but I also want some great drama in the mix as well.  I like a show that leaves me thinking long after it's over.  I like complex characters.

In my most humble opinion, this series just gets better and better.  I'm so very happy I started watching it as I've truly enjoyed all four episodes that have aired.  It's one of the best dramas I've had the pleasure of watching in a very long time.  The acting is superb and I greatly enjoy every single character.  Alice Morgan has got to be one of the best characters I've seen in a long time.  Even if you don't care for police dramas this show is worth watching for her alone.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 3

The strong writing and brilliant acting continues in episode three of the new BBC One dramatic series Luther.  In this episode, Luther must find an abducted young woman before she is killed while avoiding suspension due to something Alice Morgan caused to happen.  This episode is a tense and gritty one that has a lot going on from the first minute to the last.  The tension among the characters remains high and some situations seem to be getting even more complicated.   

With some shows you will occasionally have a scene that appears to be just filler to round out the episode.  I'm yet to see a scene in the three episodes that have aired thus far that doesn't have a purpose.  Everything that happens, in some way, has something to do with something else.  There are several story lines running parallel to one another throughout this episode and each one, in some way, has an effect on the others.

I think it is safe to say that after the first three episodes of Luther I am definitely a fan of the show and am greatly looking forward to each new episode.

On to the summary of episode three...

New BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther

Discussing television shows isn't something I normally do on this blog. But sometimes, things come along that are very good and they deserve to be talked about.

Luther is a new dramatic series from the United Kingdom. It premiered on May 4, 2010 and airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on BBC One. The next episode of Luther airs on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

John Luther is a complex man. It's obvious he has some issues he needs to work through. A man he let fall almost to his death is still in a coma and there's the ever-present threat that if he wakes up he could give evidence that could not only bring down Luther but the entire unit. His ex-wife, that he wants back, has moved on to someone else. There is a highly intelligent and highly dangerous killer fascinated with him.

Idris Elba does an excellent job portraying the title character, moving from moments of brilliance to fits of anger and then back again in a heartbeat. Viewers should recognize Elba as "Charles Miner" in The Office (US version) or "Russel 'Stringer' Bell" from The Wire. Ruth Wilson was very impressive as Alice Morgan and it appears she is going to be a recurring thorn in Luther's side. Alice Morgan is twisted and unpredictable. That's a good thing in a show like this because as long as the writing stays tight she will be able to keep a level of tension in there that should make for some good viewing.

Luther is an intelligent drama that doesn't rely on sensationalism to carry the show. You won't find anything extraordinarily gory or see any "A-HA!" or cutesy-chats-over-the-microscope CSI moments here. And there aren't any of those Scooby Doo the-guy-who-did-it-wasn't-even-part-of-the-story-until-the-end moments, either. It's a fast-paced psychological drama that is driven by a good story and a very complex main character. You know who committed the crime early on in the story and the journey is in watching DCI Luther bring them to justice--if he can--without succumbing to his own demons that are plaguing him.

If the quality of the writing stays consistent, the acting quality stays strong and the show doesn't end up become stereotypical or bowing to sensationalism I think this will end up being a show I'm going to greatly enjoy following.

Now, about the first two episodes.

Episode 1 (May 4, 2010)
The series starts with split action. We see the police arriving at a house then see a man being pursued by another at a different location. The man, Henry Manson, slips and falls and is left holding onto a beam for dear life. His pursuer stands over him and asks him where she is. Apparently, the man has abducted a little girl and has her hidden away. He has only two choices: tell where the little girl is or fall. He tells where she is but that still doesn't save him. Before his pursuer, a policeman, will help him up he wants to make sure the little girl is still alive. Even though the policeman learns the little girl is still alive, he lets the man fall. Fast forward seven months, DCI John Luther, is cleared of any wrongdoing because of the circumstances and he is free to go back to his job if he wants it--and he does. He is given "the rules" by his boss, DSU Rose Teller, a new partner, DS Justin Ripley and a new case: the home invasion murder of Douglas and Laura Morgan. Luther and his partner check the scene and know immediately that something isn't right about it. After interviewing the Morgan's daughter, Alice, Luther is convinced she murdered her parents. The hard part will be proving it. When she goes after Luther's ex-wife, things become personal.

Episode 2 (May 11, 2010)
The second episode of Luther jumps right into the action. Uniformed police respond to what appears to be a man beneath a bridge who possibly had been shot. When they get to him, he shoots them down in cold blood then calmly walks away after replacing his radio with one of theirs. Luther and Ripley get the case and Luther pegs it as an execution. Alice Morgan is back and she continues taunting Luther. She calls him from the hospital room of Henry Madsen to tell Luther she is investigating him. A viable suspect is found in the officer shootings as another officer is shot down. The situation doesn't feel right but by time Luther realizes they are dealing with a sniper, more officers are shot down and the shooter again gets away clean. The sniper puts a video online stating why he is killing police officers and warning that officers will continue to die until his demand is met. Alice steps up the intimidation by again calling Luther and pressing him for information. Luther calls his ex-wife and warns her to leave town but her new flame, Mark, convinces her Luther is just trying to control her. In an attempt to take the sniper, they police raid his home not knowing it is rigged with a bomb. Four more officers are killed and six injured. Alice visits Zoe Luther to question her about John's motives for doing his job. John makes himself a target for the sniper in hopes he can finally stop the violence.

For more information about Luther visit the following sites:
TVRage
BBC One
Internet Movie Database

Here's a trailer for Luther presented by BBC One: