Serie Review

Old but good: 'Line of Duty' is one of the best BBC drama series of all time

'Line of Duty' is set to return for season 5 in 2019, so now's the time to start watching this hit series about bent coppers from the beginning

21 October 2018 - 00:00 By Jennifer Platt

Writer Jed Mercurio's Line of Duty has layers upon layers, with twists and viewers triple guessing and then double guessing characters' motives and intentions. It was also one of the most popular series on UK TV, being voted one of the best BBC shows of all time. With four seasons to watch (it started in 2012), there's plenty of episodes to binge.
Be prepared to become obsessed with department AC-12, an anti-corruption unit that polices the police force. Their mandate is to root out "bent coppers", as said by the moral centre of the show and the head of the department, Superintendent Ted Hastings ("yes, like the battle").
Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) brings in DS Steve Arnott (Michael Compston) from counter-terrorism after a bungled raid nearly ruins the young cop's career. Also new to the squad and an undercover specialist is DC Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure). They are told to investigate DCI Tony Gates (Lennie James), pictured, who has had a suspicious amount of successful arrests. Hastings thinks he is corrupt and wants Arnott and Fleming to prove that he is.
WATCH | The trailer for Line of Duty season 4..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.