Filming has begun in Birmingham for Line of Duty, a new BBC2 police drama with Gina McKee and Neil Morrissey in a tale about corruption and cover-up after a mistaken police shooting.

The five-hour serial is written by Jed Mercurio, creator of Cardiac Arrest and Bodies, who says the new show is "a commentary on the perverse bureaucracy that hamstrings frontline officers, but first and foremost it's a thriller." He added: "I'm hugely excited by the opportunity to set a drama in the controversial realities of 21st century policing."

Lennie James plays Detective Chief Inspector Tony Tate, the officer at the centre of corruption allegations being investigated by co-stars Vicky McClure and Martin Compston.

"Lennie James is electric as DCI Tony Tate, a complex and elusive antihero," says Mercurio, "and a formidable antagonist for two of the most exciting young talents in British TV – Martin Compston and Vicky McClure – who play the relentless anti-corruption officers on his trail. Twists and turns are added by a star-studded cast, including Gina McKee, Neil Morrissey, Adrian Dunbar, Kate Ashfield, Craig Parkinson and Paul Higgins."

Line of Duty is expected to air early next year.