Setting and Location

• The urban setting of Luther connotes realism with intertextual references to other crime dramas. Audiences therefore have expectations of narratives and themes.
• Settings can relate to characters such as Zoe's office being large and modern but lined with books suggesting her important role and Intelligence
• Settings can relate to characters such as Luther's workplace being darker and claustrophobic with a lack of natural light connoting his troubled persona
• Zoes office vs Luthers office are binary opposites and serve to illustrate the differences between Zoe and Luther and the problems in their relationship.
• Settings can relate to characters as Alice's initial rural, comfortable setting misleads us to view her as the victim. Her flat later in the narrative establishes her power with its view across London suggesting she is in control and omniscient.
• Settings and location establish realism, for example the police station and crime scene all contain recognisable props that an audience would recognise and contribute to the verisimilitude.
• The setting can also develop characters for example Luther's home reinforces his issues and instability, it is sparse and appears temporary as he believes he can repair his relationship with Zoe even though it seems increasingly unlikely.
• The setting of the pre-title sequence establishes the dark mood of the drama