Radio Times: Review by:; Alison Graham

Jed Mercurio’s deliciously cynical crime thriller stars Lennie James as charismatic detective Tony Gates, the man with the “best crime figures” in the force, who inspires steadfast loyalty in his tight little knot of a team. But there’s a problem; Gates is rotten, corrupt to his core.

In this first episode of five, we see him cover up a crime committed by his biddable mistress (Gina McKee); there are suggestions too that he is massaging crime clear-up rates. As his nemesis, the head of the anti-corruption unit Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) puts it, “No one’s that good.” But Hastings and his young sidekick find it hard to penetrate the phalanx of misplaced devotion that surrounds Gates like a force field. Everyone wants to be in his orbit, including an ambitious young woman detective (Vicky McClure).

Line of Duty has all the makings of a complex, satisfying thriller; if you loved The Shadow Line, you’ll adore it.

About this programme

1/5. Crime thriller following one multi-stranded inquiry over five hours. DS Steve Arnott is transferred to a police anti-corruption unit and assigned to investigate senior officer DCI Tony Gates. Not only is his target one of the most popular cops on the force, but his squad has returned the best crime figures for three consecutive years. Surely no one can be that good? Arnott soon finds himself in a cat-and-mouse struggle as he slowly unearths his superior's secrets. Lennie James, Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Gina McKee and Neil Morrissey star.