Luther: Season 2
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Sep 28, 2011
    100
    The series commands our attention because of how it was conceived by Neil Cross, who continues to write masterful scripts.
  2. 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.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Sep 28, 2011
    80
    These four hours pack as much intensity and darkness as 22 episodes of many other police shows.
  4. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 28, 2011
    80
    Seriously, everyone, Luther is no joke.
  5. 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.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Sep 27, 2011
    80
    While the idea of crimefighter-dogged-by-personal demons hardly smacks of freshness, the former "The Wire" star so owns the character as to give it his own spin. Barring that, though, writer Neil Cross' approach to the crime yarns is so visceral and grim it's easy to be drawn in strictly on that level.
  7. The Huffington Post (formerly AOL TV)
    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.
  8. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Sep 27, 2011
    70
    The series remains an intense, engrossing crime procedural with strong moments of character development, but Mr. Cross gets a bit sloppy in his plotting.
  9. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Ross Langager
    Sep 28, 2011
    60
    Even if it makes for far less gripping viewing in its sophomore iteration, Luther remains notable in the police drama pantheon for this stark perspective.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. MarcDoyle
    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.… Full Review »
  2. jjolla88a
    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!… Full Review »
  3. hoops2448
    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 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,… Full Review »
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