Line of Duty (2012)
The BBC's acclaimed anti-corruption thriller that turned police procedural drama into a national obsession across six gripping series.
Line of Duty - Series Information
- Original Title: Line of Duty
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Created by: Jed Mercurio
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: June 26, 2012 (United States - TV-MA), June 26, 2012 (Canada - 14+), June 26, 2012 (United Kingdom - 15), June 26, 2012 (Germany - 12), June 26, 2012 (France - 18), June 26, 2012 (India - U/A 16+), June 26, 2012 (New Zealand - 16), June 26, 2012 (Australia - MA 15+), June 26, 2012 (Brazil - 16), June 26, 2012 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: BBC One, BBC Two
- Alternative Titles: בשירות החוק (IL), ライン・オブ・デューティ 汚職特捜班 (JP)
- Production Companies: World Productions, BBC Drama Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Line of Duty - Plot
A drama about the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit.
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Line of Duty - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jed Mercurio
Main Cast
- Martin Compston
- Vicky McClure
- Adrian Dunbar
- Craig Parkinson
- Gregory Piper
- Maya Sondhi
- Anneika Rose
- Keeley Hawes
- Polly Walker
- Ace Bhatti
Writers
- Jed Mercurio
Line of Duty - FAQs
Who is ‘H’ in Line of Duty?
‘H’, the mysterious fourth man in the organised crime group, is revealed in Series 6 to be DI Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle. The long-running mystery drove much of the show’s later seasons and became one of British television’s most talked-about ongoing storylines.
Where can you stream Line of Duty?
Line of Duty is available to stream in the US on BritBox, Acorn TV, Peacock Premium, fuboTV, and Amazon Prime Video. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. BritBox remains the primary dedicated home for the series.
Will there be a Season 7 of Line of Duty?
As of 2025, Line of Duty’s status remains officially listed as ‘Returning Series’ and in production, but no confirmed production date for Season 7 has been announced. Creator Jed Mercurio has expressed interest in continuing the show, though scheduling and script development have caused delays.
Who are the main actors in Line of Duty?
The core trio consists of Martin Compston as DS Steve Arnott, Vicky McClure as DC Kate Fleming, and Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings. Notable recurring cast members include Craig Parkinson, Keeley Hawes, Polly Walker, Gregory Piper, and Maya Sondhi.
Is Line of Duty based on a true story?
Line of Duty is not based on a specific true story. Creator Jed Mercurio drew on real-world concerns about police corruption and internal affairs investigations to craft a fictional but grounded narrative. The series reflects broader documented issues within UK law enforcement rather than any single case.
How many seasons does Line of Duty have?
Line of Duty has six full broadcast series plus a specials collection, totalling 36 episodes across 7 seasons in the database. Series 1 ran for 5 episodes, while Series 2 through 6 each delivered 6 or 7 episodes. A seventh series has been discussed but not yet produced.
Did Line of Duty win any awards?
Line of Duty earned numerous accolades, including BAFTA nominations for Best Drama Series across multiple years. Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar received individual acting nominations. The show won the National Television Award for Drama on several occasions and became one of the UK’s most-decorated crime dramas.
What is the content rating for Line of Duty?
Line of Duty is rated TV-MA in the United States, indicating content suitable for mature audiences only. It carries a 15 certificate in the United Kingdom and equivalent adult ratings in other territories, reflecting its depictions of violence, strong language, and morally complex subject matter.
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