Old, New & Returning Faces: The Line Of Duty Season Six Cast
With the news that Line of Duty season six will be one whole episode longer than most of the show’s earlier seasons, we felt now could be a good time to take a look at who will be in it.
While season one had just five episodes, seasons two-five all had six – with extra long finale episodes in seasons three and six.
It’s not clear if the seven episodes of season six will be shown across seven weeks, or if BBC One will launch all cylinders blazing with a double-bill on week one.
These are questions Ted and Jed will answer in time, but for now let’s take a look at the characters that will have us screaming, confused and suspicious in Line of Duty season six.
New Faces
Kelly Macdonald - DCI Joanne Davidson
Described as “the most enigmatic adversary AC-12 have ever faced”, DCI Joanne Davidson is the guest lead for season 6, played by Kelly Macdonald.
Previous guest leads include Thandie Newton as the septic-armed Roz Huntley in season four, Stephen Graham as John “We Are Bad People” Corbett in season six, and loveable Lennie James as Tony Gates in season one.
DCI Joanne Davidson is “the senior investigating officer of an unsolved murder, whose unconventional conduct raises suspicions at AC-12”.
You’ll recognise Kelly Macdonald if you’ve seen Trainspotting, Boardwalk Empire, The Victim or No Country For Old Men.
Shalom Brune-Franklin - DC Chloe Bishop
Shalom joins the Line of Duty cast for the first time in season six. She will play the role of DC Chole Bishop, who joins AC-12 “to assist in their important work on a tricky upcoming case”.
Shalom has been photographed on set in a bullet-proof vest running in front of an AFO beside a crashed white van.
The 26-year-old told Radio Times she is a big fan of the show, saying “I was running around, being a fangirl and I don’t know if that’s ever going to wear off.”
You’ll recognise Shalom from BBC’s Our Girl.
Andi Osho - (character name TBA)
It’s not yet known what role Andi plays in season six, but we’re excited to see what her character does.
You’ll recognise Andi from Channel 4’s Kiri.
Prasanna Puwanarajah - (character name TBA)
Again, we don’t yet know the name of the character Prasanna will be playing. We’re just sharing his name and pensive-looking photo to get all our imaginations running wild with possibilities.
You’ll recognise Prasanna from BBC’s Doctor Foster (that dinner scene!) and Sky’s Patrick Melrose.
Perry Fitzpatrick - (character name TBA)
Perry has been photographed filming scenes dressed as a police officer, alongside Kelly Macdonald’s DCI Joanne Davidson.
The actor is good friends with Line of Duty icon (let’s be honest) Vicki McClure, having first met at the age of 11.
Since then, the pair have shared stages and screens together in a number of plays and shows including Chanel 4’s I Am… series and This Is England (although they never had a scene together).
You’ll also know Perry from the Downton Abbey movie.
Familiar Faces
Adrian Dunbar – Ted Hastings
Our Ted, Adrian Dunbar returns once more to head up AC-12 and do what he does best – nick bent coppers.
But what other antics will he get up to in season six? Will past investments in dodgy developments come back to cause him trouble? What about a previously disposed-of laptop? Will Ted have any problematic romantic interests?
Adrian Dunbar recently told Graham Norton’s Virgin Radio show that he believes there will be a seventh season of Line of Duty – and possibly more.
Martin Compston – Steve Arnott
The once baby-faced DC has finally been promoted to DI for season six, and boy does that beard go well with that waistcoat.
Steve Arnott is bound to be thrilled with his new title, so richly deserved after his hard work busting the shit-show that was Operation Peartree.
But will his demons get the better of him in season six? Remember, he lied about being declared fit to work after his horrendous back injury in season four? He’s been popping enough pain relief pills to stun a horse.
Vicky McClure – Kate Fleming
The queen of undercover (except that time she was a little too keen to impress Lindsay Denton), we’d place good money on Kate being sent undercover to suss out Joanne Davidson during season six.
But who is Kate Fleming, the woman? What is the story with her home life and her husband and child?
There’s something suspicious about her, if you ask us. Oh, and we’d also like to see her clinging on to the side of a moving truck again. That was fun.
Returning Faces?
Here a few faces we think could return to Line of Duty during season six.
Nigel Boyle – Ian Buckells
Ian Buckells somewhat manages to fly under the radar, despite playing a relatively important role in the show to date.
Way back in season one, he was appointed Senior Investigating Officer in the case of Jackie Laverty’s disappearance. In season four, our Ted has a stern word with Buckells down a dark alley, warning him not to blow Kate’s cover investigating Roz Huntley and Operation Trapdoor.
Now Buckells’ name has been spotted on a nameplate on a door in the background of a set photo shared by Jed Mercurio, and he’s also suspected by some of being the final ‘H’ (if we’re still buying into thatwhole theory).
Claudia Jessie – Jodie Taylor
Jodie was Roz Huntley’s right-hand woman in season four.
Could she return in season six, as an aide to Buckles? We think it’s almost certain.
Patrick Fitzsymons - Mark Moffatt
Look up dodgy developer in the dictionary, and a photo of this fella appears.
Moffatt lent Ted money to re-invest in a property deal in Ireland that went south and his dodgy dealings link all the way back to Jackie Laverty in season one. Not to mention the Sands View Boys’ Home, which has since been turned into a luxury apartment development.
Don’t forget at the end of season five, when the Moff sang like a canary after being charged with bribery telling a court he lent Ted £100,000 and not the £50,000 the gaffer admitted to.
Neil Morrissey - Nigel Morton
Last seen moving the lawn without the need of his crutch, we reckon the chances of benefit-cheat and total bent copper Nigel Morton returning for Line of Duty season six are high.
We imagine he’s been enjoying retirement somewhere sunny, on full pay and disability benefits, along with whatever money he’s been paid for leaking information.
Gregory Piper - Ryan “The Bent Bastard” Pilkington
Ryan first appears in Line of Duty as a baby bent bastard all the way back in season one.
He used to cycle around with his hood up running burner phones around the place and attempting to cut Steve’s fingers off with a bolt cutters.
Ryan then made a spectacular return in season five, when we saw him work with Lisa McQueen and the OCG, before being accepted for training as a Student Police Officer.
Our money is on Ryan being the new Dot Cottan - the bent bastard working hard to get working for the OCG from the inside.