Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio teases how Gregory Piper’s character Ryan Pilkington may have ‘turned over a new leaf’ in season 6 despite his criminal past
Gregory Piper is set to make a triumphant return to Line of Duty’s sixth season.
The actor will reprise his role as Ryan Pilkington, now a junior cop, in the third episode of the gritty police drama, seemingly going on the straight and narrow after previously working as the child recruit of gangsters in earlier seasons.
And, on Sunday, show creator Jed Mercurio, 55, teased the possibility that Ryan has ‘turned a new leaf’ and isn’t a spy in the Central Police, despite what fans may think of his criminal past.
Could it be? On Sunday, Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio teased how Gregory Piper’s Ryan Pilkington (pictured) may have ‘turned over a new leaf’ in season 6 despite his criminal past
Speaking to The Sun about the character, Jed claimed: ‘Now that Ryan’s a police officer, viewers will have to wait and see if he has turned over a new leaf or if he remains a dangerous inside man for organised crime.’
Gregory first appeared in the show’s first season at the age of 13, as a foul-mouthed messenger for the criminal gang working with bent copper DCI Tony Gates (Lennie James).
But his escapades on the show have taken an even darker turn in past seasons, as he attempted to cut DS Steve Arnott’s (Martin Compston) fingers off with bolt cutters, and also killed undercover cop DS John Corbett (Stephen Graham).
But, given his dark past with the AC-12, how can viewers possibly believe he is anything but suspicious?
Jed said viewers will have to ‘wait and see’ if Gregory’s character, who first appeared in the debut season (pictured), ‘has turned over a new leaf or if he remains a dangerous inside man’
Criminal: In previously seasons, Ryan attempted to cut DS Steve Arnott’s (Martin Compston) fingers off, and killed undercover cop DS John Corbett (Stephen Graham, pictured)
Gregory said he was delighted to be asked to return, as he told the publication: ‘At 13 years old, you don’t really take everything in and what is going on around you.
‘Then I got this message out of the blue, saying they wanted to bring back my character for series five. It was amazing news.’
He added that his involvement in the show’s latest season was so top secret he ‘couldn’t even tell friends and family’ about it.
Debut: Gregory first appeared in the show’s first season at the age of 13, as a foul-mouthed messenger for the criminal gang working with bent copper DCI Tony Gates (Lennie James)
Grateful: Gregory said he was delighted to be asked to return, and said it was ‘amazing news’ that his character (pictured in season five) would be back for more
On Sunday night’s show newcomer DCI Jo Davidson (Kelly MacDonald) was hauled in for the first AC-12 interrogation scene of the season.
She was grilled by Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), Acting DI Arnott and DC Chloe Bishop (Shalom Brune-Franklin) over gross misconduct charges relating to the investigation into the murder of journalist Gail Vella (Andi Osho).
However, at the end of the episode she was let go, seemingly not guilty, after her ex-girlfriend PS Farida Jatri [Anneika Rose] was implemented in corruption.
The show’s latest episode also saw Steve being temporarily promoted, continuing to battle with his injuries and strike up a potential romance with John Corbett’s widow Steph [Amy De Bhrún].
Elsewhere, AC-12 were authorised to take over Operation Lighthouse to investigate corruption.
Line Of Duty continues on Sundays at 9PM on BBC One.
Drama: On Sunday night’s show newcomer DCI Jo Davidson (Kelly MacDonald, pictured) was hauled in for the first AC-12 interrogation scene of the season