BBC recommissions Line of Duty!

Following outstanding ratings for BBC2, Jed Mercurio‘s “Line of Duty” has been recommissioned for a second series of the anti-corruption police drama.

The five-part series starred Lennie James as DCI Gates, an officer accused of police corruption by AC-12, an anti-corruption unit including, Martin Compston as DS Arnott; Vicky McClure as Kate Fleming and Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Hastings.

The thriller proved to be BBC2’s biggest drama series for seven years with overnight figures of 3.3 million viewers tuning in to see the demise of DCI Gates in the tense finale, and a consolidated figure of 4.2 million for episode four.

The series from World Productions included the supporting cast of, Gina McKee, Neil Morrissey, Kate Ashfield, Craig Parkinson and Paul Higgins.

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama, says: “Jed Mercurio and World Productions have realised a brilliant series for BBC Two with Line Of Duty that encapsulates my vision for bold, authored and utterly original drama on the channel.”

Janice Hadlow, Controller, BBC Two, says: “I’m so pleased to have this brilliantly realised thriller on BBC Two; it is a wonderful addition to the channel’s rich landscape of drama. With fantastic writing from Jed Mercurio, great characterisation, tightly plotted detail and riveting performances from a stand out cast, I’m thrilled that this complex, contemporary drama has captured the imagination of such a loyal and appreciative audience.”

Line Of Duty is written and produced by Jed Mercurio (Bodies, Cardiac Arrest) the series was executive produced by World Productions’ Simon Heath (United, Outlaws, Hancock & Joan) and Stephen Wright for the BBC. Directed by David Caffrey and Douglas Mackinnon.