Line Of Duty

Robert Lindsay has lasted two days on the set of new BBC drama Line of Duty.

The actor was supposed to take on the role of Deputy Chief Constable Mike Dryden in the second season of the cop drama but has dropped out.

It is understood that differing views on his character were to blame for the actor parting ways with the BBC project.

Casualty actor Mark Bonnar will now take over from Lindsay in the drama.

Executive producer Simon Heath told the Daily Mail: “It was a mutual decision. Sometimes you have different views of the part and you agree to disagree. Continue reading »

Keeley Hawes, Robert Lindsay and Jessica Raine have been added to the cast of Line of Duty for its second season.

The trio will be joined in the series by returning regulars Martin Compston, Vicky McLure and Adrian Dunbar.

Hawes (Spooks) will play Detective Inspector Lindsay Denton, Lindsay will play Deputy Chief Constable Mike Dryden and Raine will take the role of Detective Constable Georgia Trotman. Continue reading »

Ofcom has found that the BBC was guilty of a “serious lapse” in its duty of care for a child actor involved in scenes in drama series Line of Duty.

The regulator said that the broadcaster did not do enough to protect the 13-year-old actor who featured in violent scenes in the BBC Two series.

Gregory Piper was involved in scenes where he was headbutted and attempted to injure the fingers of a policeman with bolt-cutters.

Ofcom, acting on a single complaint from a viewer, found that the BBC had breached programme rules despite the fact the broadcaster was in “constant dialogue” with the child’s parents who said he could cope with the demands of the role. Continue reading »

Following outstanding ratings and critical acclaim Ben Stephenson and Janice Hadlow announce Jed Mercurio’s Line Of Duty has been re-commissioned for a second series from World Productions for BBC Two.

A truly original piece that continues to signal BBC Two’s confident new direction following the re-birth of drama on the channel.

Last night 3.3 million viewers tuned in to see DCI Tony Gates, a complex and elusive anti-hero, shockingly take his own life in the dramatic series finale. Continue reading »

9:00pm Tuesday 24 July on BBC TWO

With Gates on the run the anticorruption team come under pressure to close the case.

Tensions flare between Arnott, Fleming and Hastings, as Arnott questions how intimate Fleming was prepared to get with Gates.

Meanwhile, Gates still believes he can save his career and marriage, if only he can prove his innocence. Arnott is forced to decide where his loyalties lie, while Fleming and Hastings go all out to catch Gates – leading to a shattering conclusion.

DCI Tony Gates is played by Lennie James, DS Steve Arnott by Martin Compston, DC Kate Fleming by Vicky McClure, and Superintendent Ted Hastings by Adrian Dunbar.

Ep 5/5

9:00pm Tuesday 17 July on BBC TWO

With Arnott off the case, Fleming is determined to save the anticorruption operation single-handed.

Desperate for proof of Gates’s involvement in Jackie’s crimes, Fleming pushes her relationship with him to the limit, testing how far she’ll go to gain his trust. But her behaviour causes Morton to suspect that she harbours an ulterior motive. If Fleming makes the tiniest slip-up, Morton will blow her cover.

Cast: DCI Tony Gates is played by Lennie James, DS Steve Arnott by Martin Compston, DC Kate Fleming by Vicky McClure, Superintendent Ted Hastings by Adrian Dunbar and DC Nigel Morton by Neil Morrissey.

Ep 4/5

9:00pm Tuesday 10 July on BBC TWO

Gates visits Jackie’s house to find blood stains on the carpet but no sign of Jackie herself. He must act fast: Arnott is racing towards him, convinced that he played a part in Jackie’s disappearance.

With Fleming’s help the anticorruption team tries to trap Gates into revealing his involvement in covering up Jackie’s crimes. Desperate to get his man, Arnott oversteps the boundaries – risking the entire anticorruption operation and his own career. Meanwhile Gates wrestles with the nagging doubt that Jackie may still be alive.

DCI Tony Gates is played by Lennie James, DS Steve Arnott by Martin Compston, and DC Kate Fleming by Vicky McClure.

Ep 3/5

9:00pm Tuesday 3 July on BBC TWO

Having been duped into covering up Jackie’s crime, Gates is desperate to conceal any evidence of his involvement.

Jackie visits the police station to ensure she’s in the clear, but Gates is determined to sever ties with her. Fleming’s suspicions are aroused: working secretly with Arnott they set about connecting Gates to Jackie. As the net closes on Gates, he’s forced to choose between his marriage and his career – and finds himself plunged into an even more dangerous situation.

DCI Tony Gates is played by Lennie James, DS Steve Arnott by Martin Compston, DC Kate Fleming by Vicky McClure, and Jackie Laverty by Gina McKee.

Ep 2/5

9:00pm Tuesday 26 June on BBC TWO

A hard-hitting new thriller series explores the world of police corruption. When a counterterrorism raid goes tragically wrong, Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott refuses to participate in a cover-up.

Ostracised by colleagues, he transfers to an anti-corruption unit, AC-12, led by Superintendent Ted Hastings.

AC-12 is in the process of investigating one of the force’s most respected officers, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Gates. Not only has Gates just been awarded his regional force’s Officer of the Year commendation, his squad has returned the best crime figures for three consecutive years. Hastings is convinced that no one can be that good. Uncomfortable in his new role, Arnott initially questions the whole enterprise – but Hastings is convinced that no-one achieves those results by wholly legitimate means.

But Gates’ secret is something altogether unexpected. Appearing to be a devoted family man, he is conducting a passionate affair with an old flame, Jackie Laverty. When Jackie implores him to help cover up a minor traffic offence, Gates reluctantly agrees.

Gates’ squad, TO-20, is nicknamed ‘the big, sexy crime unit’ and includes Detective Sergeant Matt ‘Dot’ Cottan, Detective Constable Nigel Morton and Detective Constable Deepak Kapoor. Under pressure to have a more gender-balanced team, Gates agrees to give Detective Constable Kate Fleming a trial on TO-20. A talented detective, Kate soon wins Gates’ approval – and then starts winning his trust.

When Arnott delves into Gates’ case files, Gates is confident of seeing off the investigation. But that’s before he realises that Jackie’s minor traffic offence may have been something altogether more serious.

DCI Tony Gates is played by Lennie James, DS Steve Arnott by Martin Compston, DC Kate Fleming by Vicky McClure, Jackie Laverty by Gina McKee, Superintendent Ted Hastings by Adrian Dunbar, DS Matt ‘Dot’ Cottan by Craig Parkinson, DC Nigel Morton by Neil Morrissey and DC Deepak Kapoor by Faraz Ayub.

Ep 1/5

The Hour finishes with 1.7m

The Abi Morgan drama The Hour finished its run on BBC One on Tuesday night with an audience of 1.7 million. The audience was down about 800k on its premiere episode last month.

Line of Duty cast announced

Gina McKee, Neil Morrissey and Vicky McClure are among those who have signed up for roles in the new BBC Two drama Line of Duty. Tony Gates and Martin Compston are also on board.

Glee actor joins The Middle

Glee actor Chord Overstreet has joined the cast of The Middle for a guest appearance. Overstreet, who played Sam, will take the on the role of a new teacher on the sitcom.

Red or Black? debut date confirmed

Simon Cowell’s new gameshow Red or Black? will premiere on September 3 at 7pm, before The X Factor. It will continue all week in various primetime timeslots on ITV1.