Luther

The first episode of Luther aired on BBC One on 4 May 2010. It was a star vehicle for Idris Elba as the brilliant but self-destructive DCI John Luther. Elba found fame in US drama The Wire as charismatic drug lord Stringer Bell. With Luther - written by Neil Cross - he broke the mould of British television, becoming the first black British actor to headline a primetime BBC drama series. Luther overcame the cliches of the genre with Elba’s casting and a fine supporting cast, including Ruth Wilson as his nemesis Alice Morgan. Over five series Luther grew its audience at home and abroad, winning several awards including an Emmy for Elba.

The atmosphere of Luther was swiftly established with atmospheric shots of the streets of London - beautifully filmed in muted tones - and a moody theme tune by Massive Attack. Luther encountered a wide variety of villains and received help from a number of police officers and friends. In Luther’s world, they tended not to thrive in their encounters with the big detective!

The popularity of Luther – and in particular Elba’s star power - paved the way for increased diversity in BBC dramas and gradually saw more BAME actors getting roles on the small screen. BAME actors now take key roles in mainstream drama from Undercover to EastEnders and Noughts and Crosses, and Jo Martin was recently seen as the first black Doctor in Doctor Who.