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Line of Duty may resume production for a seventh season in early 2026, according to new reporting in UK outlets. Creator Jed Mercurio and lead actors Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar have reportedly committed to return, following discussions with the BBC and the show’s production team.

The police drama, which premiered in 2012, follows the investigations of anti-corruption unit AC-12. The series moved from BBC Two to BBC One in 2017 and has become one of the network’s most-watched scripted shows. Its sixth and most recent season aired in 2021 and reached more than 13 million viewers during its finale broadcast.

The reported plan involves six new episodes, with filming to begin in January 2026. The new timeline comes after several years of uncertainty. All three lead actors had taken on other projects following the 2021 season, which led to delays in scheduling.

According to The Sun, BBC executives expressed interest in continuing...

Police thriller Line of Duty’s millions of fans will be hoping reports in the UK media of the show’s return are more than wishful thinking.

The BBC drama about police corruption and the officers charged with hunting down the malefactors finished after six series and a huge audience for its finale in 2021. But some fans expressed their disappointment that the grand denouement – the identity of mysterious villain ‘H’ – failed to live up to audience expectations.

Now The Sun newspaper reports that writer Jed Mercurio and three main stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar have committed to return for a seventh series, to start filming in January 2026.

The newspaper quotes a TV insider confirming:

“The BBC almost immediately requested more episodes to continue the story, but the success of the show meant Vicky, Martin and Adrian were instantly snapped up for other projects.

“But after several meetings...

“It all starts with a spark. A glimmer of an idea. And for the millions that fade away, the few that shine the brightest become something bigger. A story! A script! A production! And finally, a movie that takes its place in cinema history.”

That’s how it all works, at least according to the movie theater pre-roll. And while we all love bright shiny things, writing a screenplay is a little more complicated.

Just ask our 2025 Screenwriting Lab Fellows. They know the agony and the joy of creating from a blank page. “The writers selected for the 2025 Screenwriting Lab approach their work with such curiosity, boldness and authenticity while exploring a wide variety of genres, characters and worlds,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs. “We feel lucky to be able to give them a space to further develop their exciting screenplays and careers in the program.”

Over the course of two weeks,...

There may be trouble in "Paradise," but that's just how we like it. The hit Hulu series (created by "This Is Us" showrunner Dan Fogelman) landed on the streamer in 2025 to positive reviews and much buzz, quickly making a case for itself as one of James Marsden's best TV shows ever. The "X-Men" alum plays slain U.S. President Cal Bradford, whose sudden death sends Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) on a winding mystery through a post-apocalyptic America.

Along the way, Xavier comes across hidden clues, government secrets, and deep state conspiracies, all hallmarks of a story rooted in a subgenre that is perhaps the guiltiest of pleasures -- the speculative political thriller. Stories under this umbrella can just as easily be titillating, smartly written, and dramatically engrossing as they are oblivious, self-important, and totally ridiculous. Sometimes, a story can be all these things at once,...

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Zero Day is a political techno-thriller drama series created by Eric Newman. The Netflix series follows Former President George Mullen, who is appointed as the head of the Zero Day Commission to investigate a devastating cyberattack on the people of the United States. Zero Day stars Robert De Niro, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen, Connie Britton, Bill Camp, Dan Stevens, Angela Bassett, Matthew Modine, and McKinley Belcher III. So, if you loved the conspiracy thriller story, nail-biting drama, and compelling characters in Zero Day, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Designated Survivor (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Netflix

Designated Survivor is a political conspiracy thriller drama series created by David Guggenheim. The ABC and later Netflix series follows Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Thomas Kirkman, who suddenly becomes the President of...

Is Christina Chong Returning To Line Of Duty Season 7? (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

Fans of Line of Duty may have reason to celebrate, as Christina Chong has confirmed she’s been asked about returning for season seven of the hit BBC drama. The actress, who portrayed Di Nicky Rogerson in series two and six, spilled the beans during the Hollywood Saturn Awards, revealing her potential return

“So I have been asked about a season, is it seven? Yeah. Potentially Nicola Rogerson will be back for season seven,” she said, per DailyMail.

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A post shared by Christina Chong ❤️...

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In this golden age of television, there is no shortage of great television shows that will keep you entertained throughout their runtime. But there are only a few shows that will have you reaching for the remote to watch the next episode as soon as possible. So, we thought of compiling a list of the most addictive shows you should check out right now.

Fleabag (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

Fleabag is a British dark comedy-drama series created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Based on Waller-Bridge’s one-woman show of the same name, the Prime Video series follows a dry-witted young woman in London as she tries to deal with a past trauma through various sexual partners. Fleabag stars Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Ben Aldridge, Hugh Skinner, Bill Patterson, and Jenny Rainsford.

The Boys (Prime Video) Credit...

The popular British police drama ‘Line of Duty’ may return to television screens, with cast members providing strong hints about a potential seventh season. Actress Christina Chong recently revealed at the Hollywood Saturn Awards that discussions about continuing the series are actively happening.

Chong, who played Di Nicky Rogerson in previous seasons, confirmed the possibility of her character’s return. “I have been asked about a season, is it seven? Yeah. Potentially Nicola Rogerson will be back,” she told reporters.

Series creator Jed Mercurio appears to be developing new material, according to actor Adrian Dunbar. “He is writing… we haven’t got a script on the desk yet,” Dunbar said, adding a playful potential new catchphrase: “Don’t stall the digger.”

Martin Compston, who portrays Steve Arnott, has also expressed excitement about potentially reprising his role, saying he’d “like to pull his waistcoat out again.” Industry experts predict the...

Line of Duty actress Christina Chong has given the biggest hint yet that there are plans for the popular crime drama to return for series seven.

The hit BBC saga of anti-corruption unit AC12 came to a finale in 2021, drawing 15 million viewers. However, there were complaints that the gripping show had gone out with a whimper not a bang, and now it seems cast and crew are gathering to deliver another series.

The Daily Mail newspaper reports that Chong, who played Di Nicky Rogerson in series two and six, was quizzed on the prospect of a return at the Hollywood Saturn Awards, where she confirmed:

“I have been asked about a season, is it seven? Yeah. Potentially Nicola Rogerson will be back for season seven.”

One of the show’s three lead actors Martin Compston, who played Steve Arnott in the drama, said recently he’d “like to pull his waistcoat out again.

There's something about a British crime drama that can be so much more satisfying than its American counterpart. Perhaps it's the performances, often executed by trained thespians. Maybe it's their preference for season-long arcs, which offer variety and closure of American network procedurals while allowing room for larger-scale storytelling. I could be that everything just sounds cooler, smarter, and more intense in a British accent.

While we may have yet to solve this case, we have put together a suspect list of the 15 best British crime dramas ever made, and we've also ranked them based on overall quality. Hopefully for our readers in America or otherwise outside the United Kingdom, we can help you find your next binge-worthy mystery.

Read more: Every Stephen King Miniseries Ranked From Worst To Best

Strike

Starring "Furiosa" supporting actor Tom Burke in the title role, "Strike" chronicles the investigations of veteran-turned-private eye Cormoran Blue Strike.

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The Night Agent is a conspiracy action thriller drama series created by Shawn Ryan. Based on the novel of the same name by Matthew Quirk, the Netflix series follows FBI agent Peter Sutherland as he begins his job at the White House, but he soon finds himself embroiled in a vast conspiracy involving people high up in the current administration. The Night Agent stars Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Sarah Desjardins, Eve Harlow, and Phoenix Raei. So, if you loved the intense story, thrilling action, and compelling characters in The Night Agent, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Jack Ryan (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

Jack Ryan is a spy action thriller drama series created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland. Based on the characters created by Tom Clancy, the Prime Video series follows Jack Ryan,...

When it comes to great television, the Brits are known for their compelling detective dramas that brilliantly blend complex characters with unexpected twists, especially their willingness to kill off fan-favorites as seen in shows like Happy Valley and Line of Duty. The ITV series Trigger Point, however, puts a unique spin on the genre, centering around Lana Washington (Vicky McClure), an explosive ordinance disposal officer (also known as an "Expo") who works for the London Metropolitan Police. In her line of work, Lana is always prepared for the worst. However, as the series unfolds, her personal and professional lives begin to intersect, putting both Lana and the people she cares about in danger. Series creator Daniel Brierley was mentored by Jed Mercurio, the prolific writer behind shows like the aforementioned Line of Duty and the hit Netflix miniseries Bodyguard.

Exclusive: The creator of Prime Video’s The Rig has detailed how he wanted to strike a balance between penning an entertaining drama and tackling existential debates around climate change.

David Macpherson has expanded the second season of the UK hit beyond the confines of Season 1’s oil rig, which he described as akin to Alien and its expansion for sequel Aliens in the 1980s.

The series from the former environmental policy worker tackles numerous themes and looks to the harm our planet is experiencing today, but Macpherson stressed that he is cognisant of the need to entertain.

“Our show is at heart a big piece of entertainment and being entertaining should come first,” he told Deadline. “It’s not about telling people what to think it’s about asking questions and opening up debates.”

While he said that TV creators don’t necessarily have a “responsibility to educate,” he...

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Black Doves is a British spy action thriller drama series created by Joe Barton. The Netflix series follows Helen Webb, an undercover spy for a private organization who learns that her secret identity is in danger of being exposed after her lover is killed by London’s underworld. She goes on a quest for vengeance with the help of an old friend while keeping up appearances as her cover identity of the wife of the Secretary of State for Defence. Black Doves stars Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, Sarah Lancashire, Andrew Koji, Andrew Buchan, Omari Douglas, and Kathryn Hunter. So, if you loved the spy thriller element, nail-biting drama, and compelling characters in Black Doves, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Americans (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – FX

The Americans is a period...

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The Agency is a spy thriller drama series created by Jez and John-Henry Butterworth. Based on the French series The Bureau by Eric Rochant, the Showtime series follows Martian, a covert CIA agent who had been undercover for six years but is suddenly ordered to abandon his cover and return to London station to continue his work. When the love he left behind with his cover reappears in London, suspicions arise. The Agency stars Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, Katherine Waterston, Harriet Sansom Harris, Richard Gere, and John Magaro. So, if you love the intensely thrilling plot, nail-biting drama, and compelling characters in The Agency, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Game (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – BBC America

The Game is a Cold War spy thriller drama series created by Toby Whithouse.

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The Madness is a conspiracy crime thriller drama series created by Stephen Belber. The Netflix series follows Muncie Daniels, a media pundit who gets embroiled in a vast conspiracy after he gets wrongfully accused of murdering a white supremacist leader. Now, he must fight to clear his name while also trying to reconnect with his estranged family and lost ideals. The Madness stars Colman Domingo, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Gabrielle Graham, John Ortiz, Tamsin Topolski, and Thaddeus J. Mixson. So, if you loved the thrilling conspiracy story, nail-biting drama, and compelling characters in The Madness, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Capture (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Peacock

The Capture is a British conspiracy mystery thriller drama series created by Ben Chanan. The BBC One series follows a young detective tasked with investigating...

Exclusive: Bodyguard star Keeley Hawes is set to lend her voice to narrate Airborne, a four-part tentpole series from UK-based Humble Bee Films, for Love Nature and Sky Nature.

The hourlong series promises “an astonishing and revelatory adventure into the wonderfully diverse world of creatures that fly, glide and leap through the air.” It follows a diverse array of charismatic creatures through their trials and triumphs. From great soaring condors to leaping lemurs, and from gliding squirrels to beautifully buzzing orchid bees —the series reveals unexpected and fascinating stories of animals who defy gravity and master the air around them in extraordinary ways.

Airborne, produced by Humble Bee Films, premieres soon on Sky Nature in the UK, Ireland and Italy and will roll out on Love Nature around the world.

“We’re thrilled to have Keeley Hawes on board to add her voice to the beautiful cinematography in Airborne.” says Alison Barrat,...

There's no doubting the chokehold Jed Mercurio's Line of Duty had over the crime genre on British television last decade. Ever since it debuted in 2012, the series became a must-watch for Brits, even translating into wonderful success overseas as the twists and turns in the anti-corruption unit AC-12 kept a global audience hooked. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 96% and an audience rating of 94%, the world has waited patiently for an update on the series' future ever since the final jaw-dropping moments of Season 6. Now, it looks like we might have that long-awaited update, with The Sun reporting that a Season 7 might be in the works. According to an insider for the publication:...

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The Diplomat is a political thriller comedy-drama series created by Debora Cahn. The Netflix series follows the story of Kate Wyler, a career diplomat who is married to a political star as she is recruited as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom amid an international crisis. The Diplomat stars Keri Russell in the lead role with Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Rory Kinnear, Georgie Henley, Ato Essandoh, Ali Ahn, Jess Chanliau, and Nana Mensah starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the hilarious comedy, political thrills, and compelling characters in The Diplomat here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Madam Secretary (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – CBS

Madam Secretary is a political thriller drama series created by Barbara Hall. The CBS series follows the story of Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst...

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Paris Has Fallen is a spy action thriller drama series created by Howard Overman. Serving as the next entry into the Has Fallen franchise, the StudioCanal series follows the story of Vincent Taleb, a French protection officer as he teams up with an MI6 agent after a terrorist attack to figure out who was behind the attacks. They soon find themselves embroiled in a larger conspiracy threatening Paris. Paris Has Fallen stars Tewfik Jallab and Ritu Arya in the lead roles with Sean Harris, Emmanuelle Bercot, and Jérémie Covillault starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the explosive action, thrilling stories, and compelling characters in Paris Has Fallen here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Jack Ryan (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

Jack Ryan is a spy action thriller drama series created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland.

Trigger Point Series 2 has continued to put Lana Washington through the wringer -- and Vicky McClure knows it. McClure stars as the battle-hardened bomb disposal expert, who is trying to put her life back together after an excruciating first season that involved the deaths of Lana's brother Billy and her partner Joel, among others. Unfortunately, the second season hasn't been much kinder.

Audiences have watched Lana return to duty after going overseas to train foreign officers, only to walk into a new terrorist threat known only as The Wave. Ahead of the Trigger Point Series 2 finale, Cbr spoke with McClure to talk about why she not only enjoys, but admires the character of Lana Washington. Plus, she addressed the comparisons between Trigger Point and her hit series Line of Duty.

Cbr: What drew you back to portraying the character of Lana Washington? Was there anything that felt like it needed...

By the time Line of Duty Series 5 hit the airwaves, the show and its creator Jed Mercurio had become a worldwide phenomenon. The program was already a hit -- but the break between seasons had seen the release of Mercurio's Netflix drama Bodyguard, which became a success in its own right. The rave reviews for that project proved that the writer was more than a one-trick wonder... and raised expectations for the return of AC-12 a year later, with the BBC even using references to Bodyguard to promote Line of Duty.

With all that buzz, it's not entirely shocking that Line of Duty Series 5 comes up a little bit short. The show had been so brilliantly near-perfect for so long and the expectations had become so high that it's difficult to entirely deliver. However, the program continues to be one of the best dramas on television as it welcomes...

The following contains major spoilers for Trigger Point Series 2, Episodes 3 & 4, now streaming on BritBox.

When Trigger Point returned for a second season, it was an opportunity to dig deeper into Lana Washington and the high-stakes world in which she operates. Four episodes into Series 2 and the British television drama has only accomplished the first part. While Episodes 3 & 4 provide a further look into Lana's mind, every other character in her vicinity continues to be broadly drawn and nowhere near as interesting.

Episodes 3 & 4 pick up after the death of Dci Thom Youngblood, with the police determined to find out who pushed one of their own down an elevator shaft. But the hunt is still on for the organization that person was working for, and they finally get a name as well as some more faces. Yet the plot is still a few pieces short of the top-notch British drama that the show wants to be.

The following contains major spoilers from Trigger Point Series 2, Episodes 1 & 2, now streaming on BritBox.

The Trigger Point Series 2 premiere reaffirms that Vicky McClure is one of the biggest talents working today. Unfortunately, the rest of the show hasn't improved as much as it could have between seasons. The bomb-disposal thriller makes for dramatic British television, but it's still got many of the writing flaws that made it underwhelming during Series 1.

Series 2 picks up six months after what happened in Trigger Point's first season, and premiere co-writers Daniel Brierly and Simon Ashdown wisely use that gap to do a soft reset. Pretty much everything looks different when McClure's character Lana Washington returns from a tour of duty overseas. But the first two episodes don't know how to balance Lana's adjustment with the latest bomb threat, and so there are great ideas lost amongst others that never land.

Trigger Point Series...

A brand new season of British television thriller Trigger Point is coming to BritBox, and there's no one who knows how to write British TV drama better than Jed Mercurio. The award-winning writer and producer is one of the executive producers of Trigger Point, and mentored the show's creator Daniel Brierly as the idea got off the ground. In an interview with Cbr, Mercurio talked about continuing to develop the project in the second season and what he continues to enjoy about Trigger Point.

The second series picks up six months after the events of Trigger Point Series 1, with explosives expert Lana Washington returning to London. Almost everything has changed during her absence. However, it's not long before Lana is pressed back into service to deal with a new city-wide threat. Mercurio reflects on Lana's challenges and the growth of the series overall.

Cbr: You're not just an executive producer...

On Wednesday 4 September 2024, BBC Four broadcasts Jed Mercurio and Martin Compston Remember… Line of Duty!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Jed Mercurio and Martin Compston Remember… Line of Duty,” airing on BBC Four, promises a fascinating look back at one of the most popular crime dramas in recent years. Viewers will join Jed Mercurio, the creator and writer of “Line of Duty,” alongside Martin Compston, who played the memorable role of Di Steve Arnott. In this special episode, the two will enter an interrogation room, where they will delve into their personal memories and experiences while working on the series.

As they press the record button and hear the iconic beep that signals the start of their conversation, the duo will engage in an intriguing dialogue. They will explore key questions, such as how Martin landed his role in the show and what inspired Jed’s unique writing style for each season.

Line of Duty Series 4 is the TV show's moment of self-criticism -- with a healthy dose of inevitability. It's the first season to air on BBC One, and with that comes a certain amount of extra pressure. But beyond that, there's a sense of series creator Jed Mercurio confronting the harsh realities of his hit program. Almost every TV drama has a creative boundary that it runs up against if the show goes on long enough, and Mercurio runs into that wall head-on across six more episodes.

Series 4 centers on Detective Chief Inspector Roseanne "Roz" Huntley, portrayed by Westworld star Thandiwe Newton, whose dogged pursuit of a serial killer causes one of her colleagues to sound the alarm. It's a season that deals just as much with Huntley's personal breakdown as it does her professional troubles, and it also features one of Line of Duty's most bold and heartbreaking storytelling decisions.

Intense thriller Nightsleeper comes to the BBC in September, and here’s the trailer for the train-based series.

One of the most thrilling scenes to come out of a BBC drama in recent years was the opening of Jed Mercurio’s Bodyguard, in which the titular character foils a terrorist on a train.

New BBC thriller Nightsleeper takes this to the extreme by setting all six episodes on a high speed train. Think of it as Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, but on a modern BBC budget. And with no Steven Seagal.

The synopsis reads as follows:

Nightsleeper is a six-part series in which a train is ‘hackjacked’ while travelling from Glasgow to London, and suddenly finds itself on an uncertain journey with an even less certain destination. Part fast-moving heart-in-the-mouth action-adventure and part twisty-turny whodunnit detective story, it’s a roller coaster ride set across a single night where...

Line of Duty Series 3 is the most interesting entry in the BBC show's catalogue, because it's the most experimental. After figuring out how to craft a hit TV series, and then nearly blowing it all up, creator and writer Jed Mercurio has to figure out what's going to keep AC-12 interesting. Because when someone always swings for the fences, audiences tend to start expecting home runs every time out. And while Series 3 might not be a home run in every fan's book, it's perhaps the most underrated season.

The season focuses on Sergeant Danny Waldron (played by Daniel Mays from the first season of Good Omens), the leader of an armed response squad. But while Danny and his team do come under investigation by AC-12, the story doesn't stop there. A surprising early-season twist shakes up the plot and turns Series 3 into a tragic tale of institutional failure, rather than just one bad apple.

Sophomore albums are notoriously hard to record -- and the same is true for TV shows. Second seasons often fall short of first-season hype, or push themselves so hard to be bigger and better that they go off the deep end. Line of Duty Series 2 has an incredibly high bar to clear and is able to leap over it, while also taking some significant creative risks that separate it from its predecessor.

Series 2 is one of the most important seasons in Line of Duty history, because of the arrival of Keeley Hawes as Lindsay Denton. Denton becomes a key -- and polarizing -- figure within the show's universe. But with the world established and Steve Arnott now integrated into AC-12, creator and writer Jed Mercurio is free to expand his canvas in ways both necessary and surprising.

Line of Duty Series 2 Introduces Lindsay Denton Keeley Hawes Becomes the Show's New...

Line of Duty Season 2 brings back Tommy Hunter, the criminal boss from Season 1 Season 2 introduces new characters, such as DC Georgia Trotman, Di Lindsay Denton and DS Jayne Akers. The Season 1 revelation of Matthew "Dot" Cottan's involvement with Tommy Hunter plays a big role in Season 2, as Dot returns and works with AC-12.

Line of Duty is a critically acclaimed and popular British TV crime drama that centers around the Anti-Corruption Unit (or AC-12) and their investigations. Unlike other police procedural dramas like Law & Order or Criminal Minds, Line of Duty investigates crimes and corruption within the police force. The storylines develop throughout the season, with each new season introducing a new investigation with a new set of cast and characters. But at the same time, Line of Duty includes multiple-season story arcs with recurring characters.

Line of Duty Season 2 is a prime example of this, as the season involves...

Line of Duty is a worldwide phenomenon -- because it's one of the best TV dramas ever made. The BBC series deserves every ounce of the accolades and fan support it's received since it premiered in 2012, and that first season is nearly unmatched. Tightly written by series creator Jed Mercurio, featuring a wonderful cast from top to bottom, and avoiding so many of the common crime drama criticisms, Line of Duty Series 1 exemplifies why television exists as an art form.

That's because the five episodes of Series 1 are a wonderful piece of serialized storytelling. Mercurio tells a smart tale that snaps into place as the viewer follows along, encouraging the audience to become part of Anti-Corruption Unit 12. Add in breakout performances from Martin Compston and Vicky McClure alongside TV veterans like Adrian Dunbar and Lennie James, and there's everything to love about this season. For new viewers, Series 1 is instantly...

Julia Montague's fate in the Bodyguard Netflix series was sealed with her shocking death in episode 4, altering the show's dynamic. A criminal gang leader, Luke Aitkens, was revealed as the mastermind behind the bomb that killed Julia in Bodyguard. Nadia's true intentions were exposed as she played a vital role in building and planting bombs, including the ones that killed Julia and targeted David's children.

The Bodyguard Netflix miniseries ended with a tense finale full of twists and turns. A smash TV hit when it aired over the summer in the UK on BBC, the series made its way to Netflix to give the entire world a chance to appreciate its story. Starring Richard Madden as protection officer David Budd, opposite Keeley Hawes as Home Secretary Julia Montague, Bodyguard was a story full of questions, twists, and turns that kept fans engrossed until the end.

Bodyguard follows a war...

Jed Mercurio is behind some of the UK’s most successful dramas, and now it’s being reported that he is developing a new series based on the story of the country’s most notorious child serial killer.

Nurse Lucy Letby was jailed for life last year after being convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder six others, all of whom where in her care as a neonatal hospital nurse.

Now The Sun newspaper reports that Mercurio – who was a hospital doctor before he turned to screenwriting and previously created medical show Bodies before his hit shows Bodyguard and Line of Duty – is planning a new drama telling the shocking story. The newspaper speculates that Sophie Turner (formerly of Game of Thrones) and Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) are both in the frame for the lead role.

The Sun quotes an industry insider saying: “Jed sees this as an...

Today, BritBox, the premiere streaming destination for British television offering the biggest and best collection of unmissable British television, announced a dynamic slate of upcoming Original series.

Sharing a suspenseful teaser, BritBox announced that the thrilling new mystery Passenger, led by Wunmi Mosaku (Loki), will premiere in October. In the captivating screenwriting debut of actor Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch), inexplicable crimes haunt the fictional village of Chadder Vale, where perhaps more is afoot than meets the eye.

Barry Sloane (Revenge), David Threlfall (Shameless), and Rowan Robinson (A Haunting in Venice) also star in the atmospheric crime drama.

Summer will see the powerful return of gritty, impactful crime dramas, starting with the June 13 return of Blue Lights. A breakout hit in the UK, the Belfast-based series delves into complex local politics through the lens of a police drama.

Multi-bafta-nominated The Responder returns July 11 for a new season, once again led by Martin Freeman...

Scottish actor Brian McCardie, who played Tommy Hunter in the BBC series “Line of Duty,” died on Sunday. He was 59.

His sister, Sarah McCardie, shared the news in a post on her X account. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian James McCardie (59), beloved son, brother, uncle and dear friend to so many. Brian passed away suddenly at home on Sunday 28th April. A wonderful and passionate actor on stage and screen, Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon,” the statement reads. “We love him and will miss him greatly; please remember Brian in your thoughts. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the days ahead. As a family, we would ask for privacy at this time.”

McCardie’s representation, United Agents, also confirmed his death in a post on X: “We are shocked and so deeply saddened by...

The following contains spoilers from Trigger Point Series 1, Episode 1, now streaming on BritBox.

There is a natural inclination to compare the TV series Trigger Point to Line of Duty. The bomb-disposal drama is produced by Jed Mercurio, the creator of Line of Duty. Its lead actor is Line of Duty actor Vicky McClure. But most importantly, Trigger Point feels like it wants to be Line of Duty -- and it falls far short of those high expectations.

In fairness to this show, which flew under the radar on its initial U.S. release and is now getting second exposure on BritBox, anything would fall short since Line of Duty is one of the best British crime dramas ever made. But Trigger Point, despite Mercurio's involvement and a cast packed with well-known faces, never drums up the tension it needs to match its premise. It's a run of the mill procedural in which things explode.

Lille — All3Media International has closed multiple major territories on ITV’s ratings champ “Trigger Point,” adding to stellar viewer numbers after Season 2 of the edge-of-the-seat thriller bowed last month averaging 6.9 million viewers across Itvx and ITV1.

That ranks as the third biggest audience for an ITV show since Jan. 2022.

Created by Daniel Brierly and produced by Htm Television, co-owned by Jed Mercurio, behind “Line of Duty” and “Bodyguard,” “Trigger Point” turns on members of a bomb disposal squad led by explosives officer Lana Washington (Vicky McClure).

Washington is back from Estonia, training Ukrainian bomb disposal operatives, having suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after the high body count of Season One. Almost immediately, there’s an explosion at the local power plant and Washington is the nearest expert. But can she hold her nerve?

Edge-of-seat nail-biting entertainment, critics concur, Season 2 buyers take in CBC in Canada, which recently debuted the new series on its streaming platform,...

“If I were Boris Johnson, I wouldn’t want to read it” said the Sunday Times review of Rachel Clarke’s Covid-19 NHS frontline memoir Breathtaking. If I were Boris Johnson, and capable of experiencing shame, I wouldn’t want to watch this humane, truth-telling TV adaptation either.

Breathtaking is not about Boris Johnson or the corridors of power; it’s an unvarnished record of what happened in the corridors and wards of NHS hospitals during the Coronavirus pandemic. Over three one-hour episodes based on Clarke’s experiences and research interviews, it follows fictional consultant Dr Abbey Henderson (Joanne Froggatt) and colleagues through the early days and the worst of the virus.

Why should we have to go through all of that again on screen – wasn’t once enough? Perhaps. But if your pandemic, like mine, was more about sourdough and Joe Wicks than pain and loss, then it feels...

Doctor Rachel Clarke and ex-junior doctors Jed Mercurio and Prasanna Puwanarajah have teamed up to make Covid drama Breathtaking, here’s the trailer.

It is perhaps no surprise that following the most tumultuous, traumatic time in our recent history, writers quickly opened Final Draft and began to try to make some sense of it all.

Jack Thorne’s astonishingly powerful film Help, which starred Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham, shone a light on the brutal reality or running a care home during the pandemic.

Michael Winterbottom and Keiron Quirke aimed their anger at the political side of things, with Kenneth Branagh playing Boris Johnson in mini series This England, while writer Stephen Knight and director Doug Liman took a more lighthearted approach with comedy drama Lockdown, which saw Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor stage a diamond heist in Harrods.

Jed Mercurio is no stranger to medical dramas, drawing on his...

McCance died aged 53 on December 19 last year, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.

Colleagues and friends have paid tribute to “free spirit” and “brilliant role model”, Northern Ireland-born, Sweden-based film and TV writer and executive producer Ruth McCance, who has died aged 53 from cancer.

McCance was diagnosed in November of last year with stomach cancer, and died just five weeks later.

During her career she worked on films including Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher, Thomas Vinterberg’s It’s All About Love, Soren-Kragh Jakobson’s Skagerrak and Garth Jennings’s Son Of Rambow.

McCance grew up in Belfast. Her mother was a...

Are you living up to those New Year’s resolutions so far? Need a little help gaining momentum? BBC Maestro is here to help with a phenomenal deal. Sign up by January 31 and you can take 40% off any purchase. The most popular plan is their annual subscription, now $72 instead of $120. That’s just $6/month to learn a world of new skills. Use the code JANUARY2024 to get the deal.

Get the Deal $6/month bbcmaestro.com Save $48 on the Annual Plan with code JANUARY2024 What is BBC Maestro?

BBC Maestro is very similar to the well-known MasterClass series. Celebrity instructors will walk you through everything you need to know to get started on a new skill set. Gain new skills in the kitchen, learn how to create stories, and discover how to start a business!

Each course runs between 2-4 hours, and the lessons are broken into short videos.

While you...

2024 really is the year of the Difficult Second Series: after wowing us in 2023 and even earlier, shows like The Tourist, Extraordinary, The Rig, Suspect and Bad Sisters are on the way back for another helping this year, but the question is: will they live up to series one?

In among this, a trio of behemoth shows coming back: Doctor Who will return for series 14, or season one as it’s being styled, the first with Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa, Wolf Hall is returning after nine years to cover the late Hilary Mantel’s final book in the trilogy, The Mirror and The Light, and dystopian anthology series Black Mirror will return to Netflix for its seventh series. There’s even talk of a prequel series to Red Dwarf, if that comes off.

This is our round-up of the British TV shows we’re most excited to see returning for new...

Is Bodyguard Season 2 still happening with Richard Madden, and when could the series be released on Netflix?

When Will Bodyguard Season 2 Release?

Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio joked about a Season 2 renewal on April Fool’s Day 2022, as he shared a hilarious fake poster that pictured Richard Madden’s David Budd alongside former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Read full article on The Direct.

As the streaming landscape continues to readjust after a turbulent few years, some platforms are riding the wave more comfortably than others. A case in point is SVOD service BritBox International, which was founded in 2017 as a joint venture by U.K. broadcasters ITV and BBC.

Available in eight markets outside the U.K. including the U.S., Canada and Australia, BritBox offers a uniquely specific output: namely, British content for international audiences. (A sister service with the same name operated solely by ITV is available in the U.K.).

In terms of genre, there’s everything from drama to soaps plus crime, comedy and what BritBox CEO Reemah Sakaan calls “British pastimes,” meaning shows about things like antiques and gardening. The streamer also boasts its own original content, such as upcoming Cary Grant biopic “Archie,” which stars Jason Isaacs (“Harry Potter”) as the Hollywood legend.

“You look for real British specificity in the storytelling,...

Season 7 of "Line of Duty" has not been confirmed yet, despite speculation and hints from cast members. The cast of Season 7 would likely be similar to that of Season 6, with Adrian Dunbar, Kelly Macdonald, Martin Compston, and Vicky McClure returning. The story of Season 7 could either continue the H mystery or introduce a new corruption storyline for AC-12 to uncover. Fans are eager for more episodes of the beloved show.

The British police drama Line of Duty left viewers hanging after the shocking conclusion of season 6 back in 2021, but will there ever be a season 7? Debuting in 2012, the police procedural follows a dedicated Detective Sergeant who is transferred to the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Central Police Force, where he uncovers wrongdoing within his own ranks. Eschewing the usual structure of a police procedural, Line of Duty stands out because of its focus on characters and ongoing storylines. The series debuted on BBC Two,...

Martin Compston's roles in Line of Duty, Traces, and The Nest form their own story arc, showcasing his talent and distinct signature. In Line of Duty, Compston's character Steve Arnott evolves from an individual cop to a heroic figure who holds his colleagues accountable. Traces and The Nest feature Compston in more ambiguous parts, highlighting his ability to portray vulnerability and explore complex characters.

The best actors are those who make an impact with every performance. It doesn't matter what role Martin Compston is playing or how large the screen time; audiences know when they see him that he's going to leave his mark on the project. Through his breakout work in Line of Duty and the opportunities that have come his way since, viewers have also gotten a specific understanding of why he's so talented. It's not simply pure ability; there are certain choices that set him apart.

Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV, has led the U.K. TV giant since 2018, driving its transformation for the digital age.

Freemium streaming service Itvx launched in late 2022 with such originals as Cold War drama A Spy Among Friends, starring Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce. It has brought the company “over 2 billion streams and a significant increase in users,” emphasizes McCall.

The firm’s production arm ITV Studios is “the largest producer in the U.K, one of the largest unscripted producers in the U.S. and one of the top three in the majority of the remaining international markets in which it operates,” ITV touts on its website. ITV Studios has launched such hit shows as Tomorrow Studios’ live-action manga adaptation One Piece, World Production’s Line of Duty from Jed Mercurio and Love Island, which is now commissioned in 27 territories. It also owns stakes in such companies as Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television.

A character describes the complicated process of a financial transfer to another character in ITV’s latest crime drama miniseries, Payback. The person to whom it is being explained wonders if the process is too confusing. The word he specifically uses is “convoluted”. I would describe the plot of Payback with the same words, but I would preface it by adding a “needlessly” before it. I admit that I don’t exactly understand the nitty-gritty of finance, but I am sure that’s the case for most of the viewers other than people working in that field. The thing is, Payback has a lot of money-related matters going on in its narrative, and it throws around quite a lot of jargon, which kind of goes over your head. It would have been alright if all these were actually important to understand the main plot, but as you keep watching the series,...

Toronto – Korean Fund Established

The Toronto International Film Festival, Cj Cultural Foundation and the Korean Film Council (Kofic), have unveiled the Cj & TIFF K-Story Fund. It is an initiative to foster, support and champion Korean Canadian and American filmmakers looking to develop their first or second feature film.

It will have an annual budget of $30,000 for a three-year period and support three creative teams. Applications begin in November, with the recipients set to be announced in 2024. In addition to receiving the development prize, the selected participants will each receive direct one-on-one mentorship on story development with Cj Cultural Foundation.

TIFF chief programming officer, Anita Lee, called the fund, “a groundbreaking initiative providing support for filmmakers from diasporic communities.”

“It is our hope that this fund helps filmmakers in North America who are of Korean backgrounds, unleash their creative potential,” said Heekyung Jo Min, head of corporate social responsibility at Cj,...