Luther: 4

Idris Elba's DCI John Luther is one of the most mesmerizing detectives on TV thanks to his sharp understanding of the criminal mind and a dark streak of justice that sometimes pushes him to pass his own sentences on the guilty. As season four begins, Luther is in semi-retirement, hiding out from the world in a little cottage on a seaside cliff, but he's pulled back in after being told that the body of Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson) has been found (he's convinced she faked her death) and a colleague is murdered by a cannibal serial killer. Teaming up with the dead man's partner (Rose Leslie), Luther is drawn into the darkness as he follows the trail of mutilated victims. Meanwhile, he tangles with a mobster (Patrick Malahide) who puts a hit out on him, and is contacted by a self-proclaimed psychic with news from Alice. Although it's advertised as a season, this collection consists of only two episodes from 2015, which play more like a movie. It's a gruesome case and Elba anchors it all as Luther, a man who is still troubled and angry, and capable of enabling his new partner to cross the line with him. Extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)