Line of Duty: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes

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Leaburn O

After two episodes had to give up. The plot and acting are both ridiculously poor. I just couldn’t take it seriously. No idea how this show has gained such popularity. Typically rubbish BBC production.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

Full Review

Bob S

Warning: The fine acting and gripping fast pace of this season's episodes do not justify the scenes of physical torture here, and there should be a stronger warning than usual on this show. No excuse for it. We have many fine shows about the moral degradation of the police, the criminals, the poverty-stricken, the wealthy, and the universe in general without subjecting the audience to this level of on-screen torture. Yes, morality is complex. And the script does a fine job of documenting how a domestic betrayal leads step-by-step to violation of one's major principles in order to avoid detection. But other films do this without making relative heroes of characters who cover up murder and watch torture unfold to protect themselves. This is a story not just about a generally good guy falling into a moral hole, but about someone with a huuuuuuge ego putting himself there. And yes, this script does try to make the character heroic, because not only does the central character convince himself that he is largely innocent, but he convinces the other major character that he is largely innocent, and everyone ignores the original murder. If you want a drama about moral degeneration and complexity, watch the superior DAMAGES (Glen Close) from a few years back, streaming on Hulu. Or if you want to watch relatively good people's sexual affairs resulting in the unraveling of their lives, then watch Richard Gere's UNFAITHFUL. Skip Line of Duty.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Chavel D

Binge watched all seasons of this show. It was great. Favorite UK Crime series so far. I believe the writers, who coincidently are the writers for the series Karen Pirie, tried to bring the same majic to Karen Pirie but they've failed so far. Whereas Line of Duty was so meticuluous about UK laws and applying those laws and protecting citizen's rights, Karen Pirie is flippant about those rights. They must have forgotten to bring over their citizen's and police procedural writer and expert to Karen Pirie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/05/24

Full Review

Anita F

Edge of your seat action. Loved it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

Full Review

Mike C

Most of this series presents itself as a slow burn. But as one digs into it and its character build, one may find it more of a thriller. The format is repetitive and the interview room scenes drag on, but all in all a well done show.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/23

Full Review

Distant O

Superb entertainment. Superbly acted, great writing, and gripping from start to finish. Well worth the time it takes to check it out.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/23

Full Review

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Jed Mercurio

Creator

Lennie James

Actor

Martin Compston

Actor

Vicky McClure

Actor

Kate Ashfield

Actor

Neil Morrissey

Actor

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Episode 1

Aired Jun 26, 2012

Fahrenheit

Steve Arnott discovers his target is the city's top detective, Tony Gates.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Jul 3, 2012

The Assault

Having been duped into covering up Jackie's crime, Gates is desperate to sever ties with her; as Arnott and Fleming close in on his secret, Gates is plunged into a more dangerous situation.

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Episode 3

Aired Jul 10, 2012

No Criminal

Arnott is convinced Gates played a part in Jackie's disappearance; with Fleming's help, the anti-corruption team tries to trap Gates into revealing his involvement in covering up Jackie's crimes.

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Episode 4

Aired Jul 17, 2012

Shut Out

Desperate for proof of Gates's corruption, Fleming pushes her relationship with him to the limit; her behavior causes Morton to question if she might not be such a loyal colleague after all.

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Episode 5

Aired Jul 24, 2012

The Probation

With Gates on the run, the anti-corruption team comes under pressure to close the case; Arnott is forced to make some tough decisions about his loyalties; Fleming and Hastings go all out to catch Gates.

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Alessandra Stanley

New York Times

[It has] an excellent cast, skillful writing and a knack for making an exotic, unfamiliar world seem like the viewer's second home.

Oct 17, 2018

Full Review

Sarah Hughes

Guardian

[It was] a show which got steadily stronger as the episode improved.

Oct 17, 2018

Full Review

Ceri Radford

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Lennie James brilliantly captured the odious ambiguity of his character: a man who is part hero.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 17, 2018

Full Review

Radio Times Staff

Radio Times

Arnott caught the eye of Hastings in series one... They've been an effective team ever since.

Oct 17, 2018

Full Review

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Director: David Caffrey, Douglas Mackinnon
Executive Producer: Simon Heath, Stephen Wright, Greg Phillips, Geoff Webb
Screenwriter: Jed Mercurio
Network: BBC
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date: Jun 26, 2012

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Season 1 – Line of Duty

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