List of Line of Duty episodes

Line of Duty is a British police procedural and serial drama television series created and written by Jed Mercurio for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).^[1][2] Mercurio originally pitched the programme to BBC One, but was turned down and directed towards BBC Two,^[3] which commissioned the series nine months later.^[4] It premiered on 26 June 2012 with a five-episode first series which concluded on 24 July.^[5][6] The programme performed well and quickly earned a commission for a second series.^[7] The six-episode second series aired from 2 February to 19 March 2014.^[8] Although viewing figures were slightly lower than the first,^[9] BBC Two commissioned a third and fourth series of the programme.^[10] The third began broadcasting on 24 March 2016 and finished six weeks later on 28 April.^[11] Series three surpassed the viewership of the first series and was the most viewed series on BBC Two in over ten years,^[12] leading to the commissioning of a fifth series.^[13]

Around the time of the commissioning of the new series, a restructuring of BBC television networks occurred, causing ownership over BBC One and BBC Two to become consolidated under Charlotte Moore.^[14] Following these changes, the decision was made to promote Line of Duty to BBC One for the fourth series onwards.^[15] Series four aired from 26 March to 30 April 2017^[16][17] followed by the fifth from 31 March to 5 May 2019.^[18][19] Following the fourth, the programme was also commissioned for series six.^[20] A special mini-episode written by the Dawson Brothers aired on 13 March 2020 in support of Sport Relief.^[21][22] An additional episode was produced for the sixth and final series of the show;^[23] the series began airing on 21 March 2021 with its finale being broadcast on 2 May.^[24][25] Viewing figures increased significantly over the course of the series,^[26] leading to record breaking broadcasts^[27] and causing Line of Duty to become the highest-rated drama since modern records began in 2002.^[28] The series has since been the subject of critical acclaim,^[29] receiving nominations for several awards^[30] and gaining a large cult following.^[31]

The series primarily follows the actions of Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12), a task force located within the fictional Central Police Constabulary.^[32] AC-12 is led by Superintendent Ted Hastings, portrayed by Adrian Dunbar.^[33] Martin Compston and Vicky McClure also starred in all six series as AC-12 officers Steve Arnott and Kate Fleming, respectively.^[34] Each series features an additional actor who portrays a police officer that is being investigated by AC-12.^[35] These roles were performed by Lennie James,^[36] Keely Hawes,^[37] Daniel Mays,^[38] Thandie Newton,^[39] Stephen Graham,^[40] and Kelly Macdonald.^[41] Other starring cast members include Craig Parkinson,^[42] Jessica Raine,^[43] Jason Watkins,^[44] and Anna Maxwell Martin.^[45] Over the course of the programme, an overarching storyline develops that connects numerous characters to an organised crime group which is found to be involved in a large conspiracy with high-ranking officers of the police department.^[46] Produced by World Productions,^[47] the series was primarily filmed in Belfast although filming for the first series took place in Birmingham.^[48] It was distributed internationally by Content Media Group, which was eventually purchased by Kew Media Distribution,^[49] and ultimately ITV Studios following Kew Media's collapse.^[50]

During the course of the programme, 36 episodes of Line of Duty aired over six series, between 26 June 2012 and 2 May 2021.^[51]