DCI John Luther isn't just a cop; he’s a walking mood. If you’ve watched even five minutes of the show, you know the drill. The grey tweed coat, the heavy-shouldered slouch, and that permanent "I haven't slept since 2010" look on Idris Elba’s face. But Luther season 4 is a weird one. It’s the "middle child" of the series that a lot of people skip or forget because it’s so short. Just two episodes. That’s it.
Honestly, it’s basically a two-part movie masquerading as a TV season.
When it first aired back in 2015, fans were losing their minds. Season 3 ended with Luther literally throwing his iconic coat into the Thames, which is the TV equivalent of a priest burning his robes. He was done. He was going to live happily ever after with Alice Morgan, the world’s most charming psychopath. Except, life—and Neil Cross’s writing—is never that kind.
What actually happened at the start of Luther Season 4?
We find John in a "quaint" (read: depressing) cottage by the sea. He’s retired. He’s drinking tea. He’s probably thinking about his life choices. Then, his old boss Martin Schenk shows up with news that hits like a freight train: Alice Morgan is dead.
Wait, what?
The show spent three seasons building this bizarre, toxic, yet weirdly romantic bond between a detective and a murderer, only to kill her off-screen in a diamond deal gone wrong? It felt like a slap in the face. But that’s the catalyst. Luther isn't coming back for the badge; he’s coming back for the truth. He puts on a fresh coat—because apparently, he has a closet full of them—and heads back to the grime of London.
The Cannibal in the Room
While Luther is busy kidnapping a mob boss named George Cornelius (played with menacing perfection by Patrick Malahide) to find out who killed Alice, there’s an actual serial killer on the loose. This is the "A-plot" that gives the season its procedural backbone.
👉 See also: Nothing to Lose: Why the Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins Movie is Still a 90s Classic
Steven Rose is the villain here. He’s a cannibal. Because of course he is.
What makes this guy creepy isn't just the organ-eating—it’s how he uses technology. He hacks into webcams, watches people in their most private moments, and then strikes. It taps into that very specific fear we all have of being watched through our laptops. It’s classic Luther—taking something mundane and making it terrifying.
Meet the New Partner: Rose Leslie as Emma Lane
With Justin Ripley dead (rest in peace, Justin, you deserved better), the show needed a new foil for John. Enter Rose Leslie, fresh off her Game of Thrones fame. She plays DS Emma Lane.
She’s young, she’s driven, and she’s absolutely not prepared for the "John Luther School of Policing," which mostly involves breaking every law to uphold justice.
- The Dynamic: It’s not the same as Ripley. There’s a friction here.
- The Moral Arc: Emma has to decide if she’s going to stay "clean" or follow John into the grey area.
- The Result: She ends up being the one to pull the trigger on the cannibal, which is a massive moment for her character.
Why was the season so short?
A lot of people complain that Luther season 4 feels rushed. They’re not wrong. Creator Neil Cross has admitted that scheduling was a nightmare. Idris Elba was becoming one of the biggest stars on the planet, and getting him for a full six-episode run was nearly impossible.
Instead of doing nothing, they decided to do a "special."
✨ Don't miss: How Old Is Paul Heyman? The Real Story of Wrestling’s Greatest Mind
In some ways, it works. The pacing is breathless. There’s no filler. But on the flip side, the subplot with the psychic Megan (Laura Haddock) feels a bit "wonky." She’s supposedly a witness to a cold case from Luther’s past, and she claims to have messages from Alice from beyond the grave. It’s all very "is she real or is she a con artist?" and by the time the credits roll, you're still not entirely sure what her game was.
The Alice Morgan Mystery
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Is Alice actually dead in season 4?
If you’ve watched Season 5, you already know the answer. But within the context of Luther season 4, the show plays it straight. It forces John—and us—to grieve her. We see him dealing with the heavy weight of being alone again.
"She's not dead. She's just... Alice."
That was the fan mantra for years. The season ends with a hint that there’s more to the story, but it doesn't give you the satisfaction of seeing Ruth Wilson’s face. It’s a bold move, honestly. Killing your most popular character (mostly) off-screen is a risk that only a show this confident would take.
The Verdict: Is it worth a rewatch?
If you're a completionist, you can't skip it. It bridges the gap between the "old" Luther and the "legendary" Luther we see in later seasons and the Netflix movie, The Fallen Sun.
🔗 Read more: Howie Mandel Cupcake Picture: What Really Happened With That Viral Post
The Good:
- Idris Elba’s performance is, as always, a masterclass in stillness.
- The cannibal storyline is genuinely skin-crawling.
- The cinematography captures a London that feels cold, wet, and dangerous.
The Not-So-Good:
- It feels like a lot of plot is being stuffed into a very small "baking pan."
- The ending happens so fast you might blink and miss the resolution of the George Cornelius feud.
How to approach Season 4 today
If you’re diving back into the world of John Luther, treat these two episodes like a standalone thriller. Don't expect the slow-burn character development of Season 1. It’s a heist, a ghost story, and a police procedural all smashed together.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch it as a bridge: Use Season 4 to understand why Luther is so cynical in Season 5.
- Pay attention to George Cornelius: He becomes a massive player later on, and his introduction here is vital.
- Look for the "Easter eggs": There are small nods to Alice’s past that pay off big time once you reach the finale of the series.
At the end of the day, Luther season 4 is about the impossibility of escape. John tried to leave the coat and the city behind, but the darkness always finds a way to knock on his door. Sometimes, it even brings a snack.