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Line of Duty series 6

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Line of Duty
Series 6
DVD cover
Starring
No. of episodes7
Release
Original networkBBC One
Original release21 March (2021-03-21) –
2 May 2021 (2021-05-02)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 5
List of episodes

The sixth series of Line of Duty, consisting of seven episodes, began broadcasting on BBC One on 21 March 2021. The story follows the actions of AC-12, led by Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) and DI Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), as they investigate DCI Joanne Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) and her team, including former AC-12 officer DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure).[1]

Background, production and release

On 5 May 2017, Line of Duty was renewed by the BBC for a fifth and sixth series.[2] The fifth series began broadcasting on 31 March 2019, and finished on 5 May.[3] In November 2019, it was announced that Kelly Macdonald would join the cast of the sixth series.[4] Filming took place in Belfast,[5][6] beginning in February 2020,[7] but stopped the following month due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] before resuming in September[9] and finishing in November.[10] The sixth series is over seven episodes rather than the usual six.[11][12]

We have taken lots of precautions for cast and crew. We have filmed on studio sets which is a departure from previous series where we have shot in an actual working building. The reason why is because we can ventilate the set and social distance our cast and crew. We have had rigorous measures in place during the shoot.

— Creator Jed Mercurio on filming during the COVID-19 pandemic[13][14]

On 5 March 2021, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar appeared on The Graham Norton Show to promote the sixth series,[15] and the full-length trailer was released on 9 March.[16][17] The series's initial broadcast date was brought forward because of its popularity, with some episodes still being in post-production only days before the premiere of the first episode.[18]

The sixth series was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 31 May 2021.[19][20]

Distribution

Following Kew Media's collapse in early 2020,[21] it was announced that ITV Studios would be handling global sales and distribution for Line of Duty's sixth series.[22] BritBox exclusively premiered the sixth series in both the United States and Canada on 18 May 2021.[23][24]

Cast

Main cast

Supporting cast

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [25]UK viewers
(millions)
301"Episode 1"Daniel Nettheim[26]Jed Mercurio21 March 2021 (2021-03-21)15.20[a]
312"Episode 2"Daniel Nettheim[30]Jed Mercurio28 March 2021 (2021-03-28)14.53[b]
323"Episode 3"Gareth Bryn[32]Jed Mercurio4 April 2021 (2021-04-04)14.82[c]
334"Episode 4"Gareth Bryn[34]Jed Mercurio11 April 2021 (2021-04-11)15.33[d]
345"Episode 5"Jennie Darnell[36]Jed Mercurio18 April 2021 (2021-04-18)15.10[e]
356"Episode 6"Jennie Darnell[38]Jed Mercurio25 April 2021 (2021-04-25)16.28[f]
367"Episode 7"Jennie Darnell[40]Jed Mercurio2 May 2021 (2021-05-02)16.44[g]

Notes

  1. ^ 9.6 million overnight[27] TV viewers.[28] Across all devices: 13,355,298 (7-day consolidated); 15,201,746 (28-day consolidated)[29]
  2. ^ 8.9 million overnight TV viewers.[31] Across all devices: 12,321,231 (7-day consolidated); 14,534,711 (28-day consolidated)[29]
  3. ^ 8.6 million overnight TV viewers.[33] Across all devices: 12,471,920 (7-day consolidated); 14,820,764 (28-day consolidated)[29]
  4. ^ 8.6 million overnight TV viewers.[35] Across all devices: 12,321,231 (7-day consolidated); 15,332,640 (28-day consolidated)[29]
  5. ^ 9.9 million overnight TV viewers.[37] Across all devices: 13,537,587 (7-day consolidated); 15,101,600 (28-day consolidated)[29]
  6. ^ 10.9 million overnight TV viewers.[39] Across all devices: 14,827,584 (7-day consolidated); 16,284,785 (28-day consolidated)[29]
  7. ^ 12.8 million overnight TV viewers.[41] Across all devices: 15,713,204 (7-day consolidated); 16,439,589 (28-day consolidated)[29]

Reception

Audience

Episode 1

The BBC One premiere of the first episode of the sixth series was watched by 9.6 million viewers, a record audience for Line of Duty, surpassing its fifth series finale, which was watched by 9.1 million.[28] It so became the best-performing drama on television in the United Kingdom since Bodyguard in 2018, also created by Jed Mercurio.[42]

Including seven-day catch-up viewing, the series' first episode was viewed 13.4 million times.[29]

Episode 2

The second episode of the sixth series saw a drop in live BBC One viewers, falling 0.7 million to 8.9 million.[31]

Including seven-day catch-up viewing, the series's second episode was viewed 12.3 million times.[29]

Episode 3

Episode three of the sixth series saw a further drop in BBC One viewers, with 8.6 million watching live.[33] Including seven-day catch-up viewing, the series's second episode was viewed 12.5 million times, an increase on the second episode.[29]

Episode 4

The fourth episode of the sixth series was watched by 8.5 million live on BBC One.[35]

Episode 5

Episode five of series six drew in 9.9 million live viewers on BBC One, the most for any episode of the sixth series yet. It was also the second most-watched programme throughout the weekend of its broadcast, only behind the funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.[37]

Episode 6

The sixth episode of the sixth series was the most-watched television drama episode since the Doctor Who Christmas day special, The Next Doctor, in 2008,[39][43] pulling in 10.9 million live viewers on BBC One on the evening of 25 April 2021.[44] The episode topped figures posted by Bodyguard and series two of Downton Abbey, both of which secured 10.6 million viewers for their final episodes.[39]

Episode 7

The final episode of the sixth series was seen live on BBC One by 12.8 million viewers, making it the most watched episode of any drama, excluding soaps, since modern records began in 2002. The finale commanded 56.2% of the British television audience on the night of its broadcast, and reached a peak of 13.1 million viewers between 21:45 and 21:50 BST, near the end of the programme.[41]

Critical reception

The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the series a 84% approval rating, with an average of 7.20/10, based on 25 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "Unnecessarily dense storytelling and an oversaturation of acronyms gives the sense that this sturdy procedural may be overextending itself, but Kelly Macdonald reports in for duty to provide some fresh blood and intrigue.”.[45] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 85 out of 100 based on 5 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim”.[46]

Episode 1

The Guardian's Lucy Mangan gave the first episode a rating of four out of five, writing that the show "seems just as good, if not better, than ever",[47] while Anita Singh of The Daily Telegraph gave it the same rating, stating that the episode "played to all of Line of Duty's strengths – taut, edge-of-the-seat stuff."[48] Ed Cumming of The Independent gave it five out of five, noting that the "first episode of series six returns to what Line of Duty does best".[49] Carol Midgley of The Times, however, criticised the series debut, describing it as "wilfully turgid".[50]

Episode 2

The Daily Telegraph's Singh dropped her rating for the second episode to two out of five, describing it as "exhausting" and "frustrating",[51] while Midgley of The Times saw it as a "slight" improvement on the first episode, though still a "little dull".[52]

Episode 3

Both Singh of The Daily Telegraph and Midgley of The Times awarded the third episode three out of five, with the former stating that it saw the series "heating up nicely",[53] and the latter writing that "there was more intrigue in episode three than in the previous two combined".[54]

Episode 4

The fourth episode was well received. Singh of The Daily Telegraph gave a perfect rating and described it as an "absolute belter" delivered after "three lacklustre weeks".[55] Similarly, Louisa Mellor of Den of Geek praised the episode, and described the ambush scene as "tremendous television".[56] In the Radio Times, David Butcher stated that the episode is "Line of Duty at its best",[57] and Midgley of The Times awarded a rating of four out of five.[58]

Episode 7

The final episode received mixed reviews. Rachel Cooke with the New Statesman said that the series "ended with a whimper, not a bang".[59] Lucy Mangan of The Guardian gave episode seven a three out of five rating.[60] Harry Fletcher of Metro gave the same rating.[61] The Times' Ben Dowell gave the episode a four out of five rating,[62] as did Singh of The Daily Telegraph, describing it as "genuine edge-of-the-seat stuff".[63]

References

  1. ^ Griffiths, Eleanor Bley (10 March 2021). "Line of Duty series 6 release date: Your guide to the next series of the crime drama". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Line of Duty renewed for two more series". The Daily Telegraph. 5 May 2017. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Line of Duty – Listings". Next Episode. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  4. ^ Line of Duty [@Line_of_Duty] (19 November 2019). "Listen up fellas! Please give a warm welcome to Kelly Macdonald, the newest edition to #LineOfDuty!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 19 November 2019 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ McLennan, Patrick (19 March 2021). "Where is Line of Duty filmed? Locations for the BBC drama". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  6. ^ Slattery, Laura (18 March 2021). "BBC to upgrade Belfast base in plan to be less London-centric". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  7. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (12 February 2020). "Line of Duty season six cast reunite ahead of filming for new series". The Independent. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  8. ^ Meredith, Robbie (16 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Line of Duty filming is suspended". BBC News. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
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  11. ^ Kanter, Jake (2 February 2021). "'Line Of Duty': BBC Extends Season 6 Of Police Drama, Premiere "Coming Soon"". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  12. ^ Nugent, Annabel (27 February 2021). "When will Line of Duty series six be released?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Line of Duty: Interview with Jed Mercurio (Writer, Executive Producer and Showrunner)". BBC Media Centre. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  14. ^ Moir, Sophia. "Line of Duty series 6: Trailer, release date, cast and plot - everything you need to know". BT TV. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  15. ^ Dessau, Bruce (5 March 2021). "News: Graham Norton's Guests Tonight". Beyond The Joke. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
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  17. ^ Kanter, Jake (9 March 2021). "'Line Of Duty' Trailer: BBC Releases First Proper Glimpse At Season 6 Of Police Drama". Deadline. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
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  19. ^ "Line of Duty: Series Six | DVD". HMV. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 30 May 2021 suggested (help)
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  21. ^ Kanter, Jake (3 March 2020). "Kew Media: How The Production Group Behind 'The Inventor' & 'Dance Moms' Collapsed After One Acquisition Too Many". Deadline. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
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  23. ^ Kanter, Jake (26 March 2021). "'Line Of Duty': BritBox Becomes Exclusive Home Of Season 6 In U.S. & Canada". Deadline. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
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  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Weekly top programmes on four screens (from Sept 2018)". BARB. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
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  31. ^ a b Moore, Matthew (29 March 2021). "Line of Duty loses BBC1 viewers in plot twists and jargon". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  32. ^ "Line of Duty | Series 6, Episode 3 of 7". BBC. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  33. ^ a b Malvern, Jack (6 April 2021). "Line of Duty viewers crack link to murder of Maltese journalist Caruana Galizia". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 6 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  34. ^ "Line of Duty | Series 6, Episode 4 of 7". BBC. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  35. ^ a b The Nine (Television broadcast). BBC Scotland. 12 April 2021. 45 minutes in.
  36. ^ "Line of Duty | Series 6, Episode 5 of 7". BBC. Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 9 April 2021 suggested (help)
  37. ^ a b Morris, Lauren (19 April 2021). "Line of Duty rakes in almost 10 million viewers with dramatic cliffhanger". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Line of Duty | Series 6, Episode 6 of 7". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  39. ^ a b c Kanter, Jake (26 April 2021). "'Line Of Duty' Tops 'Bodyguard' & 'Downton Abbey' To Become The UK's Highest-Rated TV Drama In 13 Years". Deadline. Retrieved 26 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "Line of Duty | Series 6, Episode 7 of 7". BBC. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  41. ^ a b Wills, Ella; Saunders, Emma (3 May 2021). "Line of Duty finale lands record ratings". BBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  42. ^ Kanter, Jake (22 March 2021). "'Line Of Duty' Returns With Record Audience Of Nearly 9.6M For The BBC". Deadline. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  43. ^ Fullerton, Huw (4 December 2020). "Vote for the best Doctor Who festive special of all time". Radio Times. Retrieved 26 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ "Line of Duty: Penultimate episode achieves record ratings". BBC News. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  45. ^ "Line of Duty". Rotten Tomatoes.
  46. ^ "Line of Duty". Metacritic.
  47. ^ Mangan, Lucy (21 March 2021). "Line of Duty review – bent-copper bashers prepare to suck diesel". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  48. ^ Singh, Anita (21 March 2021). "Line of Duty, season 6 episode 1, review: when it comes to cop shows, Jed Mercurio is the gaffer". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  49. ^ Cumming, Ed (22 March 2021). "Line of Duty season six is a return to the show's unmistakeable brand of kinetic mayhem – review". The Independent. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  50. ^ Midgley, Carol (21 March 2021). "Line of Duty review — forget sucking diesel, this opener is stuck in second gear". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  51. ^ Singh, Anita (28 March 2021). "Line of Duty, season 6 episode 2 review: exhausting, frustrating – anyone else ready to throw in the towel?". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  52. ^ Midgley, Carol (28 March 2021). "Line of Duty review — a bit of oomph but still not cooking with gas". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  53. ^ Singh, Anita (4 April 2021). "Line of Duty, season 6 episode 3 review: thrilling action, wince-inducing dialogue and barbs at the BBC". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 4 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  54. ^ Midgley, Carol (4 April 2021). "Line of Duty season 6 episode 3 review — the plot thickens in the Ministry of Funny Looks". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 5 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  55. ^ Singh, Anita (11 April 2021). "Line of Duty, season 6 episode 4, review: quite simply one of Jed Mercurio's best episodes yet". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  56. ^ Mellor, Louisa (11 April 2021). "Line of Duty Series 6 Episode 4 Review: Mother of God!". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
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  61. ^ Fletcher, Harry (2 May 2021). "Line of Duty series 6 finale review: H's identity is finally revealed in frustrating series closer". Metro. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
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  63. ^ Singh, Anita (2 May 2021). "Line of Duty, season 6 episode 7 review: the mystery is solved – and he fooled us all". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
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