Line Of Duty series 6 plot features MAJOR link to the first-ever season

New details about the plot of Line Of Duty’s sixth season have been teased by the cast and creator of the show, ahead of the series debut this weekend.

The BBC – who will broadcast the premiere season six episode on Sunday night at 9PM – have released quotes from writer Jed Mercurio, as well as returning stars Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston.

Mercurio – who has masterminded the show since its inception in 2012 – teased a major link to the first-ever series, which saw the AC-12 unit investigate the corrupt actions of DCI Tony Gates [played by Lennie James].

‘One of our main locations for this series is Hillside Lane Police Station,’ the scribe said. ‘It’s actually a police station that is mentioned way back in series one – Matthew Cottan served here before he joined Kingsgate station where he was on the same team as DCI Tony Gates.’

Season six sees new cast member Kelly Macdonald join the show, in the role of DCI Joanne Davidson.

‘[Hillside Lane] is the home station for our guest lead DCI Joanne Davidson and Kelly is giving a terrific performance in this character,’ Mercurio added. ‘I would describe her as the most enigmatic adversary that AC-12 have faced to date…

‘AC-12 will investigate what’s going on at Hillside Lane Police Station… and we look at the investigation of a cold case. It’s a high profile murder case of Gail Vella that has remained unsolved for over a year and which the police force is struggling to solve. There’s been no closure.’

Compston also mentioned DCI Tony Gates in his pre-show chat, shedding light on the physical and mental state viewers will find his character, DS Steve Arnott, in.

He said: ‘At the beginning of the series, Steve is still a DS. So, still no promotion but he is chasing! He has got bored as AC-12 is now tainted and the investigations have been severely curtailed.

‘At the start, he is chasing up mundane cases; similar to chasing Lennie James over the expense of a bacon roll in the first series!

‘Steve thrives on the thrill of the chase and the adventure of it so he’s a bit lost and having issues both physically and mentally. He definitely sees himself as a bit of a Sherlock Holmes with a waistcoat.

‘Every year with Line Of Duty, these scripts are a gift and we get more into the back stories of each character through Jed’s writing. If we deliver what’s on the page we are onto a winner!’

Also shedding light on the state of the Anit-Corruption Unit, Superintendent Ted Hastings actor Dunbar added: ‘Quite a lot has happened and there’s been quite a time jump. In his working life, a lot of things have destabilised which have affected the unit.

‘I think [Ted] is another year older but not another year wiser. We are still on the search for the network of corrupt coppers. Are we any closer to them? Hopefully! 

‘Let’s face it – time is running out a bit for Ted; the age he is, whether he can stay in the force, is he useful enough, is he a bit of a dinosaur? He’s up against quite a bit. His personal life is not in great shape.’

Of his co-stars, Dunbar said: ‘I thought Vicky in particular has done some memorable work this series and Martin has some emotional scenes. Ted is put through the ringer; particularly towards the end.

‘But there have been funny moments too. In one of the interviews, I had to say ‘a bunch of racist thugs’ but I got it wrong and said ‘a bunch of racist slugs’ which got a big laugh from the crew. I hope that survives on a bloopers reel somewhere so we can all see it!’

Of newcomer Macdonald, Compston said: ‘A huge part of this show and its success is down to its incredible guest stars. Kicking off with Lennie James, then Keeley Hawes, Danny Mays popping in, Thandie Newton and Stephen Graham, all these legends!

‘As a fellow Scot, Kelly Macdonald was one of the ones I was most excited about. She’s had the perfect career. She was in Trainspotting, Boardwalk Empire and she’s got her own Scottish Pixar film, Brave. She’s got it all! She’s a wonderfully talented actor and is such a joy.’

Referencing the famously long and intense interview interrogation scenes in the show, he went on: ‘Some of the interview scenes have been mammoth and it’s the luck of the draw but Adrian and I definitely got the short straw this year and are in every single one.

‘Kelly has a couple of tasty ones. When I met her at the Scottish BAFTA’s, I knew they were in discussions about the role, so I asked her if there was anything I could do to help as I was so excited to have her on the show. She said how terrified she was of the interview scenes!

‘It’s a common theme of anyone coming onto the show but we are all terrified too! It’s a hard day’s graft and I think some of the scenes this year were 36 minute takes, which is full on. But she’s a trooper, she got through it and hopefully we’ve got another good one in the bag!’

Macdonald also referenced this, saying: ‘[The interview scenes] were the thing that filled me with the most dread but actually I really enjoyed them.

‘One of the interview scenes is bigger than anything I’ve ever done before – I think over half an hour. We filmed it over two days and on the first day, the cameras were only on my character. I was told there were 50 cameras set up on me just in that one day which is mind blowing.

‘It was like doing a play and it was a real treat to have that kind of material in one scene!’

Of her character, Macdonald went on: ‘At the start of the series, she’s quite a lonely figure. She’s struggling and we don’t quite know why that is.

‘She’s doing very well in her career. She’s the head of an important case and it’s very high profile. She’s got a very stressful position and deals with it well but is quite a closed off person.

‘There’s a lot going on under the surface with her. She gets to the point where she has to make tricky decisions.’

She has also admitted recently that she had never watched Line Of Duty before and binged most of it in anticipation.

‘I hadn’t watched it until this part came up! But I’ve not watched lots of things – Game of Thrones, The Sopranos! However, I was very aware of Line Of Duty as everyone in the UK is,’ she said. ‘I was sent the first couple of scripts and the part was phenomenal. Its so daunting going into a show with such a huge profile.

‘I started watching it and got completely hooked. Then when we were near the beginning of filming, I was half way through Thandie Newton’s series [series four] and the nerves started to creep in so that’s when I stopped! I still have some to catch up!’

McClure also spoke of the new cast member. ‘Kelly is a great laugh and an incredible actor,’ she said. ‘Again, we were really grateful to have a new guest lead that fits straight into the Line Of Duty family.

‘We had some brilliant scenes to do together and enjoyed many jigsaws together! I think everyone will be blown away with Jo’s story line. It couldn’t of been in better hands.’

Also joining the cast is Shalom Brune-Franklin playing DC Chloe Bishop.

‘Chloe is the newest member of AC-12. Like anyone starting a new job, she’s so eager to prove to her bosses that she was the right choice. She’s incredibly hardworking and we can see she’s really trying to impress. She’s on a journey to capture bent coppers!’ the actress said.

Also weighing in on the interrogation scenes, she added: ‘It was so nice to have everyone be so reassuring. Martin Compston especially was so good and reassured me that although it looked like a mountain, it will get done!

‘I have never experienced having to retain that much information ever. It’s incredible that people do this for a job, it’s fascinating.

‘The scenes are half an hour long which is pretty rare! I surprised myself in staying so focused and my eyes didn’t go too fuzzy. I really enjoyed it!’

Line of Duty returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 21st March at 9PM.