Line of Duty
BBC1 HD, 9pm
In the penultimate episode, AC-12 are struggling to deal with the repercussions of tragic events, and Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) makes a final bid to uncover corruption.
AC-12 faces up to the consequences of the shooting...
FOLLOWING THE MOTHER of all cliffhangers at the end of last week’s episode of BBC1 crime thriller
Line of Duty, who has survived?
Acting DSU Joanne Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) had been forced to lure DI Kate Fleming (Vicky Mcclure) to a meeting with corrupt PC Ryan Pilkington (Gregory Piper) as the shady figures controlling Jo wanted rid of Kate, who has been getting closer to exposing their nefarious activities.
But when an armed Ryan and Kate confronted each other, gunshots were heard…
AFTERMATH
Now, in the tension-packed penultimate episode of the series, DI Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) and Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), Kate’s former colleagues at AC-12, are trying to deal with the shocking fallout.
‘There is some dark stuff going on and some brilliant scenes,’ teases
Compston. ‘I was really excited reading it. These scripts are a gift.’
The anti-corruption unit has previously been examining the actions of both Joanne and Ryan in their attempt to get to the truth about Operation Lighthouse, the investigation into the murder of journalist Gail Vella, who was looking into police links to organised crime before her death. Now their enquiries into whether the investigation was being deliberately derailed have now been jeopardised. While Hastings faces imminent compulsory retirement, Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael (Anna Maxwell Martin) has taken command of AC-12 and has cut back surveillance work.
Nevertheless, Ted and Steve are determined to make one last-ditch attempt to uncover the network of corrupt coppers and the elusive ‘H’ or ‘Fourth Man’ at the heart of them.
‘AC-12 is now tainted and the investigations have been severely curtailed,’ says Compston. ‘But Steve thrives on the thrill of the chase. He definitely sees himself as Sherlock Holmes with a waistcoat. The job is all he has.’