Context
Media Studies: Eduqas GCSE, topic 4.5.1
Context
Luther is a crime drama produced by the BBC. Luther lasted for 5 series from 2010-2019.
Genre
- Unlike many other British crime dramas, Luther is akin to a film noir and a Scandinavian crime drama.
- These two genres incorporate realistic scenarios and characters.
- The realistic scenarios and characters make the crime dramas more realistic and gritty.
Production
- Luther has high production values.
- This feeds into the realism of the show.
- Neil Cross was the creator of the show.
- Neil Cross is known for his work on other dramas such as Spooks, Mr In-Between, and Doctor Who.
Social
- Luther was produced during the explosion of social media.
- Luther is one of the most notable BBC productions to successfully use social media in marketing.
- Luther received critical acclaim throughout its run.
- Series 1 episodes of Luther aggregated approximately 5.9 million viewers each week.
Cultural
- Luther was produced at a time when crime dramas were beginning to veer into realistic dramas.
- Realistic dramas have less of an emphasis on the binaries of good and evil.
- Compared with The Sweeney, Luther was produced at a time when there was much greater gender equality.
Test yourself on Context
Which television network produced Luther?