Luther Representation
Representation In Luther
The representation of race in Luther is unusual especially when compared to American crime dramas. It is common for crime dramas, especially those produced in America, to have the "token" black cop. This trope is when a tv show shoe horns in a black character for the sake of racial diversity. However often these representations are negative as these characters are shown to be very stereotypical, often shown either being in trouble with the law or being cold and unemotional. In the crime genre these characters can be observed in almost every TV show and movie. For many of these characters their entire character is based around nothing more than them being black. Good examples of this include the character James Doakes from Dexter who is portrayed as being serious and incredibly masculine as well as Detective Bell from Elementary who is one of the only black characters in the show who isn't a drug dealer or gang member.
Luther is different because it breaks the stereotype of the "black sidekick" character by putting a black actor in the lead role. This is important as in the crime genre this is relatively unheard of. Even in The Wire, which was Idris Elba's previous role, black characters don't take the lead role. It's also important how his character is represented. In many shows those with oppositional readings complain that black characters are badly represented and side-lined to minor characters. In Luther however black characters are represented as far more that just black people. Luther is shown to be highly emotional and well educated, which is shown immediately in the first episode as he intellectually takes on a proven genius. His race is very little focus on the show and has no impact on his character. Subsequently Luther could be played by someone of any race. The audience sees that he lives a comfortable middle class lifestyle as seen by his nice house and car which shows to the audience that as a character Luther is far from a stereotype.
It's also important to note that other black police officers can be seen in several episodes which is a far more realistic representation of London which is renowned as one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. Gerbner's cultivation theory would suggest that the repeated display of black characters in a negative light has affected how the public views black people. It could be said that the constant negative representation means audiences accept these representations as truth and could lead to an overall negative public opinion. However shows like Luther that break these tropes are likely to draw an interest especially from people who identify as aspirers as they are likely to be drawn to media that breaks the mould.
James Doakes in Dexter
Luther is different because it breaks the stereotype of the "black sidekick" character by putting a black actor in the lead role. This is important as in the crime genre this is relatively unheard of. Even in The Wire, which was Idris Elba's previous role, black characters don't take the lead role. It's also important how his character is represented. In many shows those with oppositional readings complain that black characters are badly represented and side-lined to minor characters. In Luther however black characters are represented as far more that just black people. Luther is shown to be highly emotional and well educated, which is shown immediately in the first episode as he intellectually takes on a proven genius. His race is very little focus on the show and has no impact on his character. Subsequently Luther could be played by someone of any race. The audience sees that he lives a comfortable middle class lifestyle as seen by his nice house and car which shows to the audience that as a character Luther is far from a stereotype.
It's also important to note that other black police officers can be seen in several episodes which is a far more realistic representation of London which is renowned as one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. Gerbner's cultivation theory would suggest that the repeated display of black characters in a negative light has affected how the public views black people. It could be said that the constant negative representation means audiences accept these representations as truth and could lead to an overall negative public opinion. However shows like Luther that break these tropes are likely to draw an interest especially from people who identify as aspirers as they are likely to be drawn to media that breaks the mould.
The representation of gender is similar to how Luther represents race. In the show women are shown to be strong, intelligent and good leaders. In the first series there are 3 key female characters in the form of Luther's wife Zoe, his boss DSU Rose Teller and the antagonist/love interest Alice Morgan. Starting with Zoe she is represented as being clearly intelligent as she works as a humanitarian lawyer. Unlike many media that represents women as subservient house wives Zoe is independent and intelligent. However she is also shown to be disloyal as not only does she leave Luther for another man but also sleeps with Luther whilst still with her new boyfriend. Those with an oppositional reading could say that this shows women as weak at the hands of their sexual desires as well as physically weak as she is shown sending her new boyfriend to sort her marital problems rather than dealing with them herself. However those with a preferred reading would argue that this shows her deep connection and love for Luther rather than her weakness.
In my opinion DSU Rose Teller is one of the best representations of women in crime dramas apart from Vera from the show of the same name. She is in no way sexualised to the audience and always wears appropriate attire for her clearly important job. Teller is shown to have control and power over a large police force which puts her in a strong position. Her age is also a key factor as she is older than many other females on TV as the common ideology is 'nobody wants to watch a woman older than 30' because they cant be so easily sexualised. On the other hand whilst Alice Morgan is younger she is far more than just her age. She acts much like Moriarty does in Sherlock Holmes. She is a good intellectual match for Luther however rather than trying to harm Luther she attempts to impress him with her crimes. She is socially inept however and often doesn't understand the true implications of her actions and how they end up harming Luther. It could be said that as well as being a psychopath Morgan is also on some level autistic. This causes her to drive Luther away despite many scenes such as one where Luther invites her for coffee, despite knowing she's a murderer which shows how Luther has a darker personality with borderline moralities, that show their love interest is mutual.
In my opinion DSU Rose Teller is one of the best representations of women in crime dramas apart from Vera from the show of the same name. She is in no way sexualised to the audience and always wears appropriate attire for her clearly important job. Teller is shown to have control and power over a large police force which puts her in a strong position. Her age is also a key factor as she is older than many other females on TV as the common ideology is 'nobody wants to watch a woman older than 30' because they cant be so easily sexualised. On the other hand whilst Alice Morgan is younger she is far more than just her age. She acts much like Moriarty does in Sherlock Holmes. She is a good intellectual match for Luther however rather than trying to harm Luther she attempts to impress him with her crimes. She is socially inept however and often doesn't understand the true implications of her actions and how they end up harming Luther. It could be said that as well as being a psychopath Morgan is also on some level autistic. This causes her to drive Luther away despite many scenes such as one where Luther invites her for coffee, despite knowing she's a murderer which shows how Luther has a darker personality with borderline moralities, that show their love interest is mutual.
Many issues related to regional and national identity are discussed in Luther. Luther is a show produced by the BBC and makes it clear that it is a British programme, specifically London, by the use of iconic London landmarks such as The Thames and The Gherkin. All of the filming took place within England and therefore maintains its British feel. The show was inspired greatly by Sherlock Holmes as written by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle which once again sends the audience the distinctly British feel. However there is American influence as well as the show draws its inverted detective narrative from the American show Columbo. This is where the show focuses on gathering evidence and the method of the crime rather than who the perpetrator is which is usually made clear to the audience. The inverted detective style is used by many shows such as Dial M for Murder and the Hannibal TV series. Many British issues are discussed in the show. These include police budget cuts which is shown when despite police officers being gunned down daily they are only issues bullet proof vests "where available" showing the desperate state of the English police force. This could be seen as a direct political message that as the hypodermic needle theory suggests would be fully received by the audience however reception theory would suggest that audiences would make up their own mind likely taking into account already established political views. Other issues include the treatment of ex-military soldiers who are abandoned after fighting for their country and left mentally of physically scarred from their experience. In this episode multiple readings could be taken. Statistics about the number of ex-service members in prison as well as the effects of PTSD are discussed which could be received by the audience. However the violence and atrocities committed by the ex-service members could lead to a negative association.
Overall Luther works hard to treat all of its issues with seriousness as well as equality. In my opinion the subtle way gender and race are handled is an excellent result of the British film making style as well as a lack of prejudice in production.
Overall Luther works hard to treat all of its issues with seriousness as well as equality. In my opinion the subtle way gender and race are handled is an excellent result of the British film making style as well as a lack of prejudice in production.
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