''Line of Duty'' is a British

police procedural The police show, or police crime drama, is a subgenre of procedural drama and detective fiction that emphasizes the investigative procedure of a police officer or department as the protagonist(s), as contrasted with other genres that focus on eith ...

television series created by

Jed Mercurio Gerald Gary "Jed" Mercurio (born September 1966) is a British television writer, producer, director and novelist. A former hospital doctor and Royal Air Force officer, Mercurio has been ranked among UK television's leading writers. In 2017, Mer ...

and produced by

World Productions World Productions is a British television production company, founded on 20 March 1990 by acclaimed producer Tony Garnett, and owned by ITV plc following a takeover in 2017. History The company's first major series was the police drama '' Betwe ...

. On 26 June 2012,

BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream an ...

began to broadcast the first series; it was its best-performing

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has been ...

series in ten years with a consolidated audience of 4.1 million viewers. Broadcast of the second series began on 12 February 2014; its widespread public and critical acclaim led to the BBC commissioning a further two series. The third series began on 24 March 2016 on BBC Two; the following three series were broadcast on

BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's flagship network and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, p ...

. In May 2017, the BBC commissioned a sixth series. Filming began in February 2020 but stopped the following month due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

; it resumed in September. Filming continued until November 2020. Broadcast of the sixth series began on BBC One on 21 March 2021. Prior to switching channels from series four onwards, ''Line of Duty'' was the most popular drama series broadcast on BBC Two and is a winner of the

Royal Television Society The Royal Television Society (RTS) is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present, and future. It is the oldest television society in the world. It currently has fourteen r ...

Award and

Broadcasting Press Guild Award The Broadcasting Press Guild (BPG) is a British association of journalists dedicated to the topic of general media issues. History The Guild was established in 1974 as a breakaway of The Critics' Circle. Currently it groups over 100 staff and fr ...

for Best Drama Series. The Telegraph included it in a list of the Top 50 BBC Two shows of all time and in a list of the 80 best BBC shows of all time. In 2016, the series ranked eighth in ''

The Independent ''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...

''s list of the twenty greatest police shows of all time and third in a ''

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...

'' 2018 poll of the best British crime dramas of all time. In 2021 ''Line of Duty'' won the

National Television Award The National Television Awards (often shortened to NTAs) is a British television awards ceremony, broadcast by the ITV (TV network), ITV network and initiated in 1995. The National Television Awards are the most prominent ceremony for which the ...

for Special Recognition.

Synopsis

''Line of Duty'' follows DS Steve Arnott (

Martin Compston Martin Compston (born 8 May 1984) is a Scottish actor and former Association Football, professional footballer. He played Anti-Corruption Unit Detective Inspector Steve Arnott in the BBC drama ''Line of Duty'', Liam in Ken Loach, Ken Loach's '' ...

), an authorised firearms officer who is transferred to Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12) after refusing to agree to cover up an unlawful shooting by his own team. At AC-12 Arnott is partnered with DC Kate Fleming (

Vicky McClure Victoria Lee McClure (born 8 May 1983) is an English actress, model and presenter. She is known for her roles as Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in the BBC series '' Line of Duty'' (2012–present) and Lol Jenkins in Shane Meadows' film ''This ...

), a highly commended undercover officer with a keen investigative instinct. They work under the supervision of

Superintendent Superintendent may refer to: *Superintendent (police), Superintendent of Police (SP), or Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), a police rank *Prison warden or Superintendent, a prison administrator *Superintendent (ecclesiastical), a church exec ...

Ted Hastings (

Adrian Dunbar Adrian Dunbar (born 1 August 1958) is a Northern Irish actor, director and singer, known for his television and his theatre work. Dunbar co-wrote and starred in the 1991 film '' Hear My Song'', nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the BA ...

), uncovering corruption within the fictional Central Police. Throughout the series, AC-12 investigate seemingly disparate cases involving seemingly corrupt police officers such as DCI Tony Gates (

Lennie James Lennie Michael James (born 11 October 1965) is a British actor, screenwriter, and playwright. His work includes playing Morgan Jones in the television series, '' The Walking Dead'' and in its spin-off, '' Fear the Walking Dead'', and starring ...

), DI Lindsay Denton (

Keeley Hawes Claire Julia Hawes (born 10 February 1976), known professionally as Keeley Hawes, is an English actress. After beginning her career in a number of literary adaptations, including ''Our Mutual Friend'' (1998) and '' Tipping the Velvet'' (2002), Ha ...

), Sergeant Danny Waldron (

Daniel Mays Daniel Mays (born 31 March 1978) is an English actor. Early life Born in Epping, Essex, the third of four boys, Mays was brought up in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, by his electrician father and bank cashier mother. He attended the Italia Conti Acad ...

), DCI Roseanne Huntley (

Thandie Newton Melanie Thandiwe Newton ( ; born 6 November 1972), formerly credited as Thandie Newton, is a British actress. Newton has received various awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a British Academy Film Award, in addition to nominations for ...

), undercover officer DS John Corbett (

Stephen Graham Stephen Joseph Graham (born 3 August 1973) is a British actor. He is best known for playing Andrew "Combo" Gascoigne in the film ''This Is England'' (2006) and its television sequels ''This Is England '86'' (2010), '' This Is England '88'' ( ...

) and DCI Joanne Davidson (

Kelly Macdonald Kelly Macdonald (born 23 February 1976) is a Scottish actress. She is known for her roles in '' Trainspotting'' (1996), '' Gosford Park'' (2001), '' Intermission'' (2003), '' Nanny McPhee'' (2005), '' No Country for Old Men'' (2007), ''Boardwa ...

). AC-12 realises the pervasive nature of corruption and the police's deep-rooted links to an organised crime group. A long-running

story arc A story arc (also narrative arc) is the chronological construction of plot in a novel or story. It can also mean an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, board games, vide ...

revolves around discovering the identity of "H", a corrupt person or persons of senior rank within the police force who are instrumental in running organised crime.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

* Elliot Rosen (series 1) and Tommy Jessop (series 5–6) as Terry Boyle * Tomi May as Miroslav Minkowicz (series 1, 5) *

Heather Craney Heather Craney (born 1971) is an English actress, known for portraying Joyce Drake in ''Vera Drake'', Alison Weaver in '' Life of Riley'' and Emily Holroyd in ''Torchwood''. Background Craney was born in Stapleford, Cambridgeshire. Her family ...

as DCI Alice Prior (series 1) *

Lauren O'Rourke Lauren O'Rourke is a British actress best known for her roles in the sitcom '' Drifters'' as Laura on Channel 4 and as Carol in ''White Gold Pure gold is slightly reddish yellow in color, but colored gold in various other colors can be produc ...

as Keely Pilkington (series 1) * Marie Critchley as Jane Hargreaves (series 1) * Alison Lintott as Rita Bennett (series 1) *

Claire Keelan Claire Keelan (born 8 May 1975) is an English actress. She played Claire Ashcroft in ''Nathan Barley'' and Electroclash in '' No Heroics''. Background Keelan is a former member of the Royal Court Young People's Theatre.Neet Mohan Neet Mohan (born 11 November 1985) is an English actor, known for his role as PC Taz Ahmed on the Channel 4 series ''No Offence'' (2017) and Rash Masum, Dr. Rash Masum on the BBC One, BBC medical drama ''Casualty (TV series), Casualty'' (2017– ...

as PC Simon Bannerjee (series 1) *

Darren Morfitt Darren Morfitt (born 12 September 1973) is an English actor who has appeared in ''55 Degrees North'', '' Grafters'', ''Dalziel and Pascoe'', '' Warriors'', '' Making Waves'', ''The Government Inspector'' and the cult werewolf movie '' Dog Soldi ...

as Sergeant Colin Brackley (series 1) * Shaun Mason as Lee (series 1) * Maria Connolly as Alison Merchant, corrupt prison officer (series 2, 5, 6) *

Steve Toussaint Steve Toussaint (born 22 March 1965) is a British actor and writer. He first gained prominence through his role in the ITV crime drama '' The Knock'' (1994–2000). As of 2022, he plays Corlys Velaryon in the HBO fantasy series ''House of th ...

as CS Mallick (series 2) *

Sacha Dhawan Sacha Dhawan (; born 1 May 1984) is a British actor from Greater Manchester. He is best known for playing Akthar in the play '' The History Boys'' (2004–2006) and its film adaptation (2006), Paul Jatri in the BBC One comedy drama series '' Las ...

as DS Manish Prasad (series 2) * Richard Huw as Nick Robson (series 2) * David Maybrick as Sergeant Alex Wallis (series 2) *

Allison McKenzie Allison McKenzie is a Scottish TMA Awards nominated actress from Glasgow. As a youngster she went to The Mitchell Theatre for Youth and discovered her love of acting. She fulfilled a childhood ambition when she worked with the Royal Shakespear ...

as DS Jayne Akers (series 2) * Antonio Magro as PC Vincent Butler (series 2) * Niall Macgregor as Richard Akers (series 2) *

Michael Nardone Michael Nardone (born 20 January 1967) is a Scottish actor. He was raised in Ballingry, Fife and trained in Drama at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. He starred as Mascius in the BBC/ HBO/RAI TV series Rome and appeared as DCI Richard ...

as Sergeant O'Neill (series 2) * Chetna Pandya as New Jo (series 2) * Henry Pettigrew as DC Jeremy Cole (series 2) * Charlotte Spencer as Carly Kirk (series 2) * Lisa Palfrey as Inspector Tracey McAndrew (series 3) *

Mandana Jones Mandana Jones is an Anglo-Iranian actress best known for her role as prisoner Nikki Wade on the British television series, '' Bad Girls''. Biography Mandana Jones was born on 26 February 1967 to a Welsh father and an Iranian mother. She is th ...

as Superintendent Summers (series 3) * Patrick FitzSymons as DCI Mark Moffatt (series 4–5) *

Royce Pierreson Royce Pierreson (born 1 April 1989) is a British actor and narrator. Royce is best known for his roles as DC Jamie Desford in the fourth series of '' Line of Duty'' and as Reece in ''Murdered by My Boyfriend.'' He has since appeared as Dr Ja ...

as DC Jamie Desford (series 4) *

Claudia Jessie Claudia Jessie (born 1989/1990) is an English actress. She is known for her roles in the third series of the BBC One police procedural ''WPC 56'' (2015) and as Eloise, the fifth Bridgerton child, in the Netflix period drama ''Bridgerton'' (202 ...

as DC Jodie Taylor (series 4) * Mark Stobbart as DS Neil Twyler (series 4) *

Vineeta Rishi Vineeta Rishi, is an English actress, known for playing Jas Khella in the BBC One soap opera '' Doctors''. Born in Bracknell, Berkshire to Indian parents, Rishi grew up in Walkergate, Newcastle upon Tyne where she attended Walkergate Primary a ...

as FC Rupal Pandit (series 4) *

Gaite Jansen Gaite Sara Kim Jansen (born 25 December 1991) is a Dutch actress born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Life and career Jansen received her professional training at the Maastricht Academy of Dramatic Arts. At age 12, she was awarded the Best Act ...

as Hana Reznikova (series 4) * Scott Reid as Michael Farmer (series 4) * Richard Pepple as Sergeant Kyle Ferringham (series 5) * Maanuv Thiara as Vihaan Malhotra (series 5) * Laura Elphinstone as DI Michelle Brandyce (series 5) *

Natalie Gavin Natalie Gavin (born 1988) is an English actress from Bradford, known for her roles in the BBC dramas ''Prisoners' Wives'' and ''The Syndicate,'' and the ITV drama '' Jericho''. Early life Gavin was born in Bradford. She grew up in the Bra ...

as Sergeant Martina "Tina" Tranter (series 5) *

Kwaku Fortune Kwaku Fortune is an Irish actor. Early life and education Fortune is from Roundwood, County Wicklow. He is of Ghanaian descent on his mother's side. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Acting from The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dubli ...

as DS Marks (series 6) * Sherise Blackman as PS Ruby Jones (series 6) * Tara Divina as PC Lisa Patel (series 6) * Sara Dylan as Boyle's solicitor (series 6) * Kerri McLean as Deborah Devereux (series 6) *

James Nesbitt William James Nesbitt (born 15 January 1965) is an actor from Northern Ireland. From 1987, Nesbitt spent seven years performing in plays that varied from the musical '' Up on the Roof'' (1987, 1989) to the political drama ''Paddywack'' (1994) ...

as Marcus Thurwell (series 6) Invest NI, Belfast, May 2010

Episodes

Production

''Line of Duty'' was created and written by Jed Mercurio drawing inspiration from the

Metropolitan Police The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), formerly and still commonly known as the Metropolitan Police (and informally as the Met Police, the Met, Scotland Yard, or the Yard), is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement and ...

anti-corruption Anti-corruption (or anticorruption) comprises activities that oppose or inhibit corruption. Just as corruption takes many forms, anti-corruption efforts vary in scope and in strategy. A general distinction between preventive and reactive meas ...

unit A10, which was set up in 1971. The first two series were produced by

, on behalf of

. David Caffrey and Douglas Mackinnon directed series one. Mackinnon directed the first three episodes of series two and Daniel Nettheim directed the remaining three episodes. Mercurio produced series one and acted as executive producer for series two, with Peter Norris taking over as producer for the second series. Although the police refused to co-operate with the programme's producers, the production team was advised anonymously by serving officers and retired police officers, and made use of anonymous police

blogs A blog (a truncation of "weblog") is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries (posts). Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order ...

Locations

Series one was filmed in

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...

, including pub interiors in the Queen's Arms. The following five series were made in

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

. Although exact locations are never mentioned, maps of Birmingham appear on walls, and telephone numbers use an 0121 area code, again indicating Birmingham. The fictional 01632 phone code is also seen. Various postcodes seen on paper and screen have the Birmingham 'B' or

Milton Keynes Milton Keynes ( ) is a city and the largest settlement in Buckinghamshire, England, about north-west of London. At the 2021 Census, the population of its urban area was over . The River Great Ouse forms its northern boundary; a tributary ...

'MK' prefix. The police forces referred to are the fictional Central Constabulary and the fictional East Midlands Constabulary. A photo gallery of exterior scenes from series two shows the 4th Street Station on Ormeau Avenue in

Belfast Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdo ...

. Many locations in Belfast have been used as filming locations; the offices of

Invest Northern Ireland Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) is Northern Ireland's regional economic development agency. It is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) of the Department for the Economy (DfE). According to DETI's website it; "supports business growth and i ...

on Bedford Street depict the exterior of AC-12's headquarters.

Awards and nominations

Home media

Kew Media (previously known as Content Media) handled international distribution of the series until its collapse in 2020.

DVD

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...

releases for ''Line of Duty''

Blu-ray

Blu-ray The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of sto ...

releases for ''Line of Duty'' Line of Duty got a series six Blu-ray release. Line of Duty series one to six will be released in a compilation Blu-ray box set.

International broadcast

In Australia, as of 2021, the first five series are available across streaming services such as Britbox, Netflix, Acorn TV and Stan, but series six is exclusive to Britbox. In the United States, the first series was released on

Hulu Hulu () is an American subscription streaming service majority-owned by The Walt Disney Company, with Comcast's NBCUniversal holding a minority stake. It was launched on October 29, 2007 and it offers a library of films and television serie ...

in August 2012, as an exclusive series, until

Acorn TV The acorn, or oaknut, is the nut of the oaks and their close relatives (genera ''Quercus'' and '' Lithocarpus'', in the family Fagaceae). It usually contains one seed (occasionally two seeds), enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne ...

picked up the streaming rights for its platform in 2018, which included the existing series and exclusive access to series five and later additions. The first three series began airing on

AMC AMC may refer to: Film and television * AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain * AMC Networks, an American entertainment company ** AMC (TV channel) ** AMC+, streaming service ** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company *** ...

on 4 April 2020. However, licence changes in 2021 led to

BritBox BritBox is an online digital video subscription service, founded by BBC Studios and ITV plc, operating in nine countries across North America, Europe, Australia and South Africa.

also obtaining the rights to the series in the United States, along with exclusive rights to series six and any future series.

References

External links

* * * *
Line of Duty
'' scripts at BBC TV Drama archive {{Authority control * 2010s British crime drama television series 2010s British police procedural television series 2010s British workplace drama television series 2012 British television series debuts 2021 British television series endings 2020s British crime drama television series 2020s British police procedural television series 2020s British workplace drama television series BBC crime drama television shows British detective television series British thriller television series English-language television shows Police corruption in fiction Television series by ITV Studios Television series by World Productions Television productions postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic Television shows filmed in England Television shows filmed in Northern Ireland Television shows set in England