Line of Duty Season 6 (2021) Review

So after binge watching the previous 5 seasons of the show I have now watched the new season of Line Of Duty and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees AC-12 investigate a police operation which might have links to The OCG and their hunt for the fourth man. 

Main Character

Kelly Macdonald plays the main new character - Jo Davidson and she is really good here. She is a strong character and one that is clearly very good at her job, but what maybe allows her to stand out is that she has a vulnerable side and it made it a bit easier to care about her situation compared to some of the colder characters from previous seasons and Macdonald does a really good job of fitting in nicely to the whole Line of Duty universe. 

Supporting Characters

Martin Compston is back as Steve Arnott and the show picks up with him in an interesting place but of course he is great. The season delves more into his personal life and the issues he has had since an event that took place in a previous season and he really delivers on it and turns it from something that could have been dull to something that is heartfelt and also shows his vulnerability. Vicky McClure is back as Kate Fleming and she is also in an interesting position which leads to her to be separated from AC-12 and it allows her to really shine as an actress and show a different side of Kate and not just always looking at the worst in other officers. Adrian Dunbar also returns as Hastings and he is just so good, he has so many great lines that have become memes as far as you can see. But the character is also really well realised and after the events of Season 5, he is even more determined and this trio is as effective as ever in their hunt for OCG. Shalom Brune-Franklin joins the cast as Chloe and she is a really nice addition, at times it feels like this girl is carrying AC-12 and it has been a while since we have seen a good character join AC-12 and she does a good job at it. There are also plenty of characters who return from previous seasons and I always love how this show connects events from the entire show into the current story. 

Story 

The story is good, after the turbulent ending to Season 5 it leads all the main characters in vulnerable and unique positions and I thought the show did an effective job in conveying that and how these characters have developed. It also does some new things and avoids the risks of just being a complete rehash of previous seasons which at this point is something that is needed. But the story does have some issues which culminates with a poor season finale, that has one particular reveal that happens which left a sour taste in my mouth and unless addressed in the next season will be a big let down as it currently feels to not just me but the majority of viewers. 

Script 

The script is very good, the interview scenes are as intense as ever with one in particular being a gripping watch and showing just how good this show can be. It keeps twisting and turning and mix that with a nice blend of humour and drama and you have an effective script. 

Style 

The show has always had a unique and interesting style and that continues here. Despite having to film during a global pandemic the show manages to keep those intense interview scenes in and the great cinematography that adds so much to the whole experience. At times it also feels like this is a pretty action heavy season which I have no issue with and it is all handled pretty well. Though this season has an extra episode and because of that it does feel like the pacing is a little bit off and I think the show should have stuck with its 6 episode structure. It led to a pretty poor finale which I think could have been avoided somewhat by not taking as long to get there and obviously some story changes. 

Overall

Overall, Line Of Duty Season 6 is a great season of television. I know some people are disappointed by the finale but there is no denying the first 6 episodes are really well made and of the high quality to be expected of this show. If you haven't started Line Of Duty get on it as it is a really great show and I guarantee that there will be a seventh season and it will hopefully be even better then this one. 

Rating - 8/10

Line of Duty Season 5 (2019) Review 

I haven't exactly hid my love for Line Of Duty as I have watched the series over the last few weeks and today I watched the 5th season of the show and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees the team of AC-12 on the hunt for the group of corrupt officers and criminals that have been causing them trouble for years. 

Main Character

Another season and another Guest Main character and this season sees experienced British actor Stephen Graham take the lead role and he is fantastic. I mean he is a great actor who usually brings his A game and he does that here, his character has plenty of depth to him and it is a different direction to what the show usually does and I think that made his character one that really stands out amongst the others that have been on the show. 

Supporting Characters

Adrian Dunbar as Hastings as been one of if not my favourite thing about this show and this season is where he hits his stride to an even greater degree. We learn way more about his character and this is easily the most time we have spent with the character and that is a real highlight and a much needed addition to the storytelling of the season. Martin Compston and Vicky McClure as Steve and Kate are also great, it's surprising because despite the fact they have been partners since the first season I think this is the most screen time they have had together and it showed just how great a team they are together. The rest of the cast are great and just like every other season the acting is a real highlight for the show. 

Story 

The story is always moving and interesting. I love how this season starts to play the threads between the different seasons and how they are starting to come together. Graham and Dunbar's plots are the highlights as the show does a really good job with two character studies that really flesh out their motivations and ideals in a really great way. But I have to admit the story did fall a little bit flat in the finale for me, it just wasn't as amazing an episode as the previous 2 finales and I think that did affect my overall feeling on the show, though it is still great. 

Script

The script is great, the dialogue is funny when it wants to be and truly dramatic. There are twists and turns and I can't deny that the writing did a fantastic job of captivating me and making me go from episode to episode as I had not know what was going to happen next. 

Style

The show looks great, it just has a fast paced filming style to it and it really makes you feel like you are following these detectives on their quest for justice. The 6 episodes are paced very well with the finale being a 90 minute episode and the show manages to keep you engaged and invested throughout. 

Overall

Overall, this is a fantastic 5th season of Line Of Duty and continues the really high quality going. Now I am all caught up I can't wait to watch all 6 episodes of the new season at once and get my fix for the show again. 

Rating - 9/10

Line Of Duty Season 4 (2017) Review

So after a little break I am back watching Line of Duty and I have just finished the fourth season and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees AC-12 look into a possible miscarriage or justice by a leading Police Detective. 

Main Character

Thandie Newton plays the guest lead character this season and she is really good in her role. She is an interesting character and Newton is really effective in selling her characters emotions and the way that she thinks and operates. The highlights of the season is when she and AC-12 go head to head in the interview room and she is incredibly captivating and even puts them under significant pressure at times. 

Supporting Characters 

All of the regulars are back this season, Adrian Dunbar as Hastings, Vicky McClure as Kate and Martin Compston as Steve and they are of course all great. I was worried about where they were going with Kate and Steve at the beginning of the season but they sorted it out quick enough and the characters are at their best here and it is interesting to see both of them now of the same rank after the events of the previous seasons. Hastings has always been a big highlight and I just love this guy, he has the best lines and he is just such a great character, with the three of them being a great triple act. Royce Pierrson is an actor I recently criticised for his role in The Irregulars but he shows up here and is good in his role providing a fresh and new face inside of AC-12 that is a welcome addition. 

Story 

The story is really good, it is always entertaining seeing AC-12 going on the hunt for corrupt police officers and it is in full force here and this season had me gripped for sure. The show makes you think you know what is going on at first but then it starts adding more and more twists and turns and layers that makes it so intricate and dynamic. Also the last 20 minutes of the finale is some of the greatest TV I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of TV. 

Script

The script is really good, I always wonder whether the show will ever get bogged down by the police jargon but it really doesn't and it is easy enough to follow but keeps you guessing throughout. The drama and humour is well balanced and the show manages to create captivating and interesting characters. 

Style 

The show has a truly special style, it can take something like an interview and turn it into must watch TV and that is no different here. The show moves at a very brisk pace and keeps you interested and invested really well with a show that knows exactly how much time and episodes it needs to succeed. 

Overall

Overall, the fourth season of Line Of Duty is truly epic. Honestly, this is some of the best TV you will see and I am truly of belief that this show is one of the best made maybe even ever and if you haven't started then get on it as it is amazing. 

Rating - 10/10

Line Of Duty Season 3 (2016) Review

With Line of Duty Season 6 coming out, I am continuing my watch of the previous seasons and here is my review of season 3. The premise of the season sees an armed response officer being investigated by AC-12 when it is suggested he unlawfully killed a target. 

Main Character

Martin Compston as Steve Arnott is probably the one we spend the most time with here and he is really good. He is still the officer who is on the hunt the most and Compston does a great job in showing his determination and how he is a good officer. The show does some interesting things with his character and the spotlight is really shone on him as things start to become more complex and it makes his character much more interesting. 

Supporting Characters

Daniel Mays plays the guest character and he is given less to do then the others but he is still really good. He is a very complex character and as you learn more about him, the whole moral compass has to get looked at and he is a character with a lot of depth and intrigue. Vicky McClure is back as Kate and she is also great, Kate is given plenty to do and I think this season is the one where we really see just how good at her job she is as she manages to pull off the majority of the investigation. Adrian Dunbar plays Hastings and I think he is my favourite character on this show, he is just really good in the role and is firm but fair and also has some real funny moments as well with some of the best lines. Craig Parkinson as Cottan has always been a character that has felt like the fourth wheel to the team and that is emphasised here and he is really good at doing it and gives a strong performance. 

Story 

The story is really good, the show heads in some different directions in terms of its storytelling and freshens itself up enough while staying true to the identity of the show. The characters are great and as the story progresses the twists and turns are relentless culminating with one of the best finales you will see in any TV series that tip it over the edge. 

Script 

The script is really great, it has a great amount of twists that keeps you interested and allows you to follow. The drama and humour is really well balanced and it allows the show to feel real and dynamic with its storytelling and characters. 

Style 

The shows style is also really good, the show never slows down and keeps moving at a quick pace that you just want to watch the show all at once. The action when it is here, is brutal and really well done and the interview sections are some edge of the seat stuff. 

Overall

Overall, this is possibly my favourite season of Line Of Duty so far. It is really well paced and just kept me interested and glued to the screen for all six episodes. 

Rating - 10/10

Line Of Duty Season 2 (2014) Review

After finishing the first season of Line Of Duty, I quite quickly managed to get through the second season of the show and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees a Police operation go wrong, with suspicion of inside help AC-12 are sent to find out who and why. 

Main Character

This time out Keeley Hawes plays the Lead Character and she is really good, I didn't think she was as good as Lennie James but still a great lead character. Honestly, this season is more of a combined effort but she has the most story put into her and Hawes does a great job in making her a complex character and one that you aren't exactly sure of her motivations. The character provokes plenty of emotion and intrigue and Hawes deserves plenty of credit for that. 

Supporting Characters

Martin Compston as Steve basically is a main character here and he is great and a character that is easy to root for. I think this season was also effective as it showed all the main characters of AC-12 having personal demons and Steve is no exception, though he is clearly the one mainly invested in the investigation and thus he is the one we spend the most time with. Vicky McClure is back as Kate and they take her character in an interesting direction, she is also good in her role and the dynamic between her and Compston is one of the real highlights of the show. Adrian Dunbar is also back as Hastings and he is so good in his role, he is a great leader of AC-12 and the dynamic between the members of the team is really effective and feels very real. He gets more screen time this season and we learn more about him which is effective in building a great relationship between these characters. Also Craig Parkinson is back as Dot and he is given way more to do and he is also really good, I just thought that had to be mentioned as I didn't talk about him in my review for the first season. 

Story 

The story of the show is really good, the twists and turns are here in full force and it keeps you on your toes in every episode. This season in particular had more shocks and intrigue to it with characters being very grey in their motivations and the pacing being really dynamic. However, I felt like this season's ending didn't quite hit the mark. It was like the show brushed over certain things in an ending montage and a bit of side acts lacked a bot of inspiration that the first season had. 

Script

The script is really great, the drama feels very personal and as I said I felt there were more twists and turns this season and had me asking questions and the script deserves credit for that. Also the slight humour used is really well done and it makes the characters feel real and it raised the overall drama. 

Style 

The show has excellent pacing, it keeps you on your toes and moves fast but with great character development. There is an extra episode here but it allows the show to be paced really well and keep the level of drama high. The interrogations are a real highlight and for me were just as good if not better then the previous season. 

Overall

Overall, this is a fantastic season of television that continues this shows top level form. I did prefer the first season but this is a show you have to watch for sure. 

Rating - 9/10 

Line Of Duty Season 1 (2012) Review 

With a sixth season of Line Of Duty coming to the UK next week, I thought it was finally time I sat down and watched this much praised show and I have watched the first season and here is my review. The premise of the show sees an anti corruption unit investigating one of there own, that leads to larger stakes then they realise. 

Main Character

Lennie James has become quite a big deal with his time on The Walking Dead and Save Me and he plays the main character of the first season of the show and he is superb. He is such an interesting character and James adds so much depth and layers to him and in a show that is really well acted he delivers a extremely strong performance. 

Supporting Characters

Martin Compston plays Arnott and he is also really good. Something happens to his character right at the start of the show and you see how it shapes him throughout and he delivers a strong performance. The dynamic between him and James is really interesting and you see their power struggle really encapsulate the season with two interesting characters and two interesting viewpoints. Vicky McClure plays Kate and she is also a highlight, she is a really strong actress and she gets stuck between Compston and James but it feels natural and that she is on a level with them. She has plenty of depth to her and she is a character that is really interesting and McClure does a great job. Adrian Dunbar plays Hastings and this guy is truly great as the leader of the group, he is just so cool and he is just a great character that has plenty of stand out moments. The rest of the cast are also great with the other police officers being portrayed strongly. 

Story 

The story is so gripping here, it keeps moving at a pretty brisk pace and it is so much better for it. The show has twists and turns that will keep you invested and rises above other shows within the same genre. It also nails a fantastic ending that is really high quality and keeping you guessing to the final second. 

Script

The script is great, all of the characters feel like real people. They have intrigue and development which feels natural and makes them all interesting, they have there funny moments and when the drama starts it goes deep and is really intense. 

Style

The show has a great style and I think a lot of that has to go down to the camera work. The show is always moving and the camera seems to be always moving, at times it can be a bit annoying but for the most part it makes everything seem a bit more frantic and fast paced and it worked for me. Also, if you want your car chases, shoot outs and interrogations they are all here in force too. 

Overall

Overall, I love this first season of Line Of Duty and I can't believe it has taken me this long to watch this show. If you haven't started watching it then do so and I will be spending the next few weeks catching up with the rest. 

Rating - 10/10