Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Fans spot real Line of Duty death plot
TV’S Gail ‘based on crusader in bombing horror’
THE murder victim at the centre of the new Line of Duty plot appears to be loosely based on a real person.
Writer Jed Mercurio has congratulated fans who have spotted the resemblance between fictional journalist Gail Vella in the BBC police drama and assassination victim Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The Maltese investigative reporter died in 2017 when her car was rigged with explosives. One man has been jailed and a further three charged in a case that has been linked to organised crime and political figures.
When a fan on Twitter spotted similarities, including the style of journalism and the make of Peugeot 108 car they both drove, Mercurio replied that Ted Hastings, head of anti-corruption unit AC-12, would be impressed.
He said: “The Gaffer has been complaining that none of the detectives out there had spotted this
clue. He’ll probably ask you to join AC-12.”
And Mercurio, believed to have woven the plotline in as a tribute to Ms Caruana Galizia, has exchanged messages with her son Matthew, who said he thought his mum would have enjoyed watching Line of Duty.
Mercurio responded by saying: “Your mother was incredibly courageous in her fight against corruption. I’m so sorry
REAL KILLING Reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia
for your tragic loss.” In the sixth series of Line of Duty, Vella appears to have been killed by an organised crime group who are working with corrupt senior police officials. They feared she would expose them through a podcast.
Ms Caruana Galizia, who was 53 when she died, had levelled accusations of corruption at Maltese officials and politicians in a blog she wrote.
Mercurio has woven real events into
the show before, including naming child abuser Jimmy Savile and in the last episode making a reference to the highly publicised police search of Cliff Richard’s home during a child sex probe.
Police apologised to Richard, who was never arrested and who sued the BBC for breach of privacy.
This Sunday’s episode could include more death, as fans fear one of AC-12’S much-loved staff could be killed off.
BBC continuity announcer Duncan Newmarch, one of the few to have seen the next episode, said: “I can promise you that this Sunday’s new episode is the best yet – possibly the best of all the series.”
BBC Ex-line of Duty actor Craig Parkinson, who has seen the episode for the show’s spinoff podcast, said: “I have to agree with Duncan. Just you wait.”
■ Line of Duty is on Sunday, 9pm on BBC1.
I’m so sorry for your loss.. your mum was courageous JED MERCURIO WORDS TO VICTIM DAPHNE’S SON