Line of Duty series 3


The third series of the British police procedural television programme Line of Duty, was broadcast on BBC Two between 24 March and 28 April 2016. It is the final series to air on BBC Two with all subsequent series airing on BBC One
The series follows the fictional Anti-Corruption Unit 12, a team tasked with "policing the police". AC-12 is led by Superintendent Ted Hastings, who is assisted by his team, DS Steve Arnott, DC Kate Flemming, and DI Matthew "Dot" Cottan. The unit investigates the actions of Sergeant Daniel Waldron, who is suspected of wrongfully shooting and killing a suspect. Waldron leads a team of authorised firearms officers backed by PC Rod Kennedy, PC Harinderpal "Hari" Bains, and PC Jackie Brickford. Lindsay Denton, a former DI, returns as an officer formerly investigated by AC-12. Supporting characters include Gill Biggeloe, Chief Superintendent Terry Reynolds, DS Sam Railston, Joe Nash, Maneet Bindra, Chief Superintendent Patrick Fairbank, and DC Nigel Morton.
The series was created and written by Jed Mercurio, who also serves as an executive producer. Six episodes were directed by Michael Keillor and John Strickland with cinematographer Peter Robertson. Filming took place in Belfast in 2015. The series received mostly positive reviews and was nominated for 13 awards, two of which were won. The fourth series, which had previously been commissioned with the third, was broadcast in 2017. Following the series, a fifth was also commissioned due to the third series success.

Cast and characters

Main

Starring

Recurring

  • Lisa Palfrey as Inspector Tracy McAndrew
  • James Edlin as AFO Lambert

Guest

Episodes


Production

In March 2014, while the second series was still airing it was reported that discussions were already occurring on a potential third series of Line of Duty. On 8 April, it was officially commissioned for a third and fourth series by BBC Two. Series creator and writer Jed Mercurio returned to executive produce alongside Simon Heath and Stephen Wright for World Productions and BBC Northern Ireland, respectively, and producer Peter Norris.
Cast members Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar all returned to the series. Actor Daniel Mays was announced to be joining the series cast as Daniel Waldron, the latest officer to be investigated by the fictional Anti-Corruption Unit 12. Craig Parkinson also reprised his role as Matthew "Dot" Cottan. Keeley Hawes, who starred in series two as DI Lindsay Denton, initially stated that she would not return to Line of Duty due to her conflicting filming on the Fungus the Bogeyman television adaptation. Will Mellor, Arsher Ali, and Leanne Best also joined the cast in supporting roles. Mellor, Ali, and Best portrayed a group of authorised firearms officers, led by Mays' character. Mercurio later decided to bring Hawes back to the series as a result of Denton's positive reception and made changes to a script to allow for Waldron's death. On her return, Hawes stated that she didn't expect to ever return to the series, but was glad to be given the opportunity. Mercurio also considered not killing Parkinson's character, but believed viewers wanted justice. Other supporting cast members include the returning Neil Morrisey and newcomers Polly Walker, Shaun Parkes, Aiysha Hart, Jonas Armstrong, Maya Sondhi, and George Costigan.
Filming began in Belfast in March 2015. Michael Kellior directed the first three episodes while John Strickland directed the final three. Peter Robertson provided cinematography work. Filming locations included BT Riverside Tower, McHugh's Bar, Belfast City Hall, and Invest Northern Ireland. The series consisted of five hour-long episodes and an extended feature-length finale. Due to the success of the series a fifth series was commissioned on 6 May 2016, with the fourth and fifth series moving to BBC One.

Release

Broadcast and streaming

The series was first broadcast on BBC Two in the United Kingdom on 24 March 2016, and concluded six weeks later on 28 April. In the United States the series was released on Hulu on 1 May 2016. It was added to Acorn TV in November 2017. Additionally, it can be streamed on BritBox and was later broadcast on the American basic cable channel AMC beginning 20 June 2020. In Canda and Australia the series streams on Netflix.

Reception

Viewing figures

By the time the fourth episode had concluded airing, Line of Duty was the highest-rated series to air on BBC Two since 2002. The series maintained a 19.3% share in consolidated data.

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes the series holds an approval rating of 100% based on seven reviews. Reviewing the series premiere for Den of Geek, Louisa Mellor wrote about how Waldron's character developed from being just dirty cop to a victim as well, and how this deceit was a result of Mercurio's depth of writing Mays' acting. Sara Hughes with The Guardian stated that it was a strong premiere for a returning series. Hawes's return as Denton was praised by many critics who noted the passion and complexity behind the performance as well as her unexpected death. The series was also mentioned for its impact on gender equality as a result of its strong female leads. CultBoxs Rob Smedley appreciated the morally gray characters for their complexity.
After the series concluded, Mercurio's writing was further applauded by Smedley, writing that Mercurio has the "rare ability to make watching an interview scene feel like tip-toeing across a minefield, and to make that an experience you crave more of." Mellor further complimented these scenes by observing that two of them together used over forty minutes of screentime. She further elaborated stating that "interview scenes are what stops us getting whiplash from the speed at which Line Of Duty zooms through plot" and mentioning the contrast between the programme's interview and action scenes. The final scene of the series, which featured gunfights and a car chase, received largely mixed reviews from critics; some condemned it for being unrealistic, while others commended it as uncharted territory for a British television series.
A former Metropolitan Police homicide detective criticised the accuracy of the series, stating that it "suggests a culture where fatal shootings are not thoroughly investigated and where dangerous officers can be re-issued with firearms."

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2016British Academy Scotland AwardsDirector Film/TelevisionMichael Keillor
2016Royal Television Society Northern Ireland AwardsBest DramaLine of Duty
2016TV Choice AwardsBest DramaLine of Duty
2017British Academy Television AwardsVirgin TV's Must-See Moment"Urgent Exit Required"
2017British Academy Television AwardsBest Supporting ActorDaniel Mays
2017Broadcast Magazine AwardsBest Drama SeriesLine of Duty
2017Broadcasting Press Guild AwardsBest Drama SeriesLine of Duty
2017Broadcasting Press Guild AwardsBest ActressKeely HawesWon
2017Celtic Media FestivalDrama SeriesLine of DutyWon
2017Diversity in Media AwardsTV Moment of the Year"Urgent Exit Required"
2017Royal Television Society Programme AwardsBest Drama SeriesLine of Duty
2017Royal Television Society Programme AwardsBest Drama WriterJed Mercurio
2017Royal Television Society Scotland AwardsTelevision Director of the YearMichael Keillor