Film Review: ‘Line of Duty’ from BBC / Netflix

The main characters: Kate, ‘Hastings’ and Steve

This is the type of series that, when it is finished, you feel like you’ve lost some best friends. There is a sudden void.

First released in 2012 on BBC, it won and was nominated for many British television and BAFTA awards. It has been on and off Netflix, apparently due to licensing complications, infuriating fans.

Why is it so popular?

1. Good versus bad. That old staple of the good cop battling the odds to keep us all safe has been modernised. Unquestionably, the two lead police — Steve Arnott (played by Martin Compston) and Kate Flemming (played by Vicki McClure) are impeccably ‘good people’ committed to clean policing. Their boss, Ted Hastings (played by Adrian Dunbar), has a keen sense of honour and integrity. At times they falter, at times rules are bent to acheive ‘good aims’, but each reckons with errors made and corrects their course.
2. A world is created. The series takes viewers into (fictional) “Anti-Corruption Unit 12” — AC-12- which has a mission of getting rid of ‘Bent Cops.’ While not a true story, the series is informed by real policing cases and procedures.We see the day to day of police life, and methods of tracking and apprending internal crime. The viewer learns the names of forms, the rules around interviews and watches the way modern police grapple with bureaucracy, risk assessment sign-offs, internal office politics and extremely cunning individuals.
3. Confronts hard issues. ‘Line of Duty’ educates on how organised crime groups (OCG) seek to infiltrate, blackmail and control senior police, and the prison system. There is reference to the history of horrific child abuser Jimmy Savile, and how he cultivated friendships with police. Senior police leaders are shown as self-serving and politically-minded; focussed on positive PR. At times they seem hostile or indifferent to the remit of anti-corruption unit 12 (AC-12).
4. Final message: Despite having shutdown a major criminal/corruption network, the series ends with the end of the AC-12 unit. Their acheivements are hidden from the public; their leader Ted Hastings — “Hastings — like the Battle” — is forced into retirement; the program’s funding is cut to the bone. The last words on the screen serve as a warning to the public, or a cry for help:

“Currently, AC-12’s powers to curb wrongdoing in public office have never been weaker.”

Fans weren’t overly happy with this non-fairy tale ending and there is talk of a Series 7 being made, so stay tuned.

Reflections on the messaging:

• Product placement. Irritatingly, like so many films and series, the characters are shown endlessly smoking and drinking. It suggests product placement payments have been made.
• Behaviour change? Apparently ‘Line of Duty’ is closely watched and critiqued by serving, aspiring or retired police. Accordindly, the fictional series may aid discussion about how to address police corruption in general. It may also create greater cultural support for anti-corruption units which, in the series, are shown to be loathed and distrusted within the ranks.
• Recruitment advert? Undoubtably the series would inspire some to join the police, with policing shown as a difficult, dangerous but noble profession.
• Public confidence in the state? Like the plethora of films on the enforcement arms of the state: its militaries; special forces, CIA, or police, we are presented heroic good people working in flawed but mostly ‘good’ institutions, with dubious people at the very top.

Acting and cast

The 3 lead characters — Steve; Kate and ‘Hastings’ are all endearing and loveable. Vicky McClure’s piercing blue eyes are a character of their own. The casting and quality of acting across the board is superb. A few comments below:

• Keely Hawes is memorable in the very well written role of DI Lindsay Denton, a complex and suprising, heroic and brave character.
• Gregory Piper gives a chilling portrayal of a child, born into crime.
• Lennie James shows frustation and vulnerability well.
• Thandie Newton is good as ice-cool DCI Huntley, although the role is not as well written as that of others.
• Paul Higgins is good as the slimey two-faced senior leader, ACC Hilton. It is a bit of a caricature, but it brings comic relief.
• Elizabeth Rider is good as obedient to power, DCC Andrea Wise.
• Craig Parkinson is excellent as the bad cop DS Mathew Cotton
• Polly Walker shines as the flattering, but duplicious Gill Biggeloe
• Anna Maxwell Martin creates a creepy portrayal of a scary boss and a generally replusive, souless character.
• Mark Stobbart as DS Neil Twyler a good background character, filling out story of policing life well.
• Ace Bhatti brought pressence, but as a character, it was hard to decipher who he was: Good? Bad? He was brought in at the end, series 6, when viewers were already overloaded with characters and plots; he was not developed well enough as a character. Possibly superfluous to main story.

Conclusion

A gripping watch and credit must go to creator: Jed Mercurio, an ex-medical doctor and member of the U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF).

Series Creator: Jed Mercurio