Anna Maxwell Martin ‘dead chuffed’ to be starring in Line of Duty episodes
Anna maxwell martin has said she is “dead chuffed” to be joining Line Of Duty for the final two episodes of series five.
The 41-year-old actress will play senior anti-corruption detective and “woman on a mission” Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael.
The two-time Bafta-winner will make her debut in BBC One’s acclaimed police procedural on Sunday following last week’s episode, which saw a major character killed off.
She said: “I’ve been a fan of Line Of Duty for years, so was dead chuffed to be part of series five. I’m so pleased I no longer have to keep it a secret.
“I feel honoured to follow in the footsteps of the host of great actors who make up the Line Of Duty family and Jed Mercurio – of course – has written a brilliant character in Carmichael. She’s a woman on a mission.”
The Bleak House star appeared alongside Vicky Mcclure, who plays Line Of Duty’s DC Kate Fleming, in the 2018 series Mother’s Day, which focused on the Provisional Irish Republican Army’s 1993 Warrington bomb attack that killed two children.
Showrunner Jed Mercurio said: “I’m delighted and flattered an actor of Anna Maxwell Martin’s status agreed to play this pivotal role in Line Of Duty.
“Anna was a pleasure to work with and brought real depth to the character of DCS Carmichael.”
Simon Heath, executive producer for World Productions, which makes the series, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Anna again, but in a very different role.
“I can’t wait for the Line Of Duty audience to see what she’s brought to the show.”
The BBC has also confirmed the season five finale will be on for 30 minutes extra than a standard episode, instead lasting 90 minutes.
The series’ opener had been the most-watched show of 2019 in the UK to date, drawing 7.8 million viewers. That also made it the most-watched episode in the history of the police drama.
Anna Maxwell Martin debuts in Line Of Duty on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.