List of Luther characters
This is a list of fictional characters in the British psychological crime drama television series Luther.
Main characters
John Luther
Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, portrayed by Idris Elba, works for the Metropolitan Police Service, in the Serious Crime Unit. He is a legendary figure in London's police force both for his dedication and his ingenious approaches to solving cases. However, the horrors of Luther's job have given rise to emotional demons which often put him at odds with colleagues and loved ones. Because of this, he is constantly breaching protocol and using unorthodox (and sometimes illegal) methods to solve his cases, such as breaking into properties without warrants to find clues, or violently threatening suspects or witnesses. He is also given to destructive fits of temper. Nevertheless, he is known to despise firearms, and he refuses to kill or directly cause the death of suspects.
Luther returns from leave to investigate the double murder of Alice Morgan's parents and dog, and quickly realises that she committed the crime. However, Morgan's methodical destruction of evidence keeps Luther from conclusively proving her guilt. A peculiar relationship develops between Luther and Morgan, and Luther approaches her for help on occasion. Morgan insinuates herself into Luther's relationship with Zoe with the intention of helping their marriage, yet her means only further complicate Luther's personal problems.
