Line of Duty Moving to BBC One

LONDON: The drama Line of Duty will move from BBC Two to BBC One for its fourth season next year.

The third season is the highest-rating BBC Two drama series ever since the current measuring system was implemented in 2002. Season four will air on BBC One in 2017. The network has also now commissioned a fifth season.

Line of Duty is written and created by Jed Mercurio and produced by World Productions.

Charlotte Moore, BBC’s controller of TV channels and iPlayer, said: “Line of Duty is original, bold, gripping drama that gets the nation talking and the time is right to bring the series to an even broader audience on BBC One. Jed Mecurio’s explosive thriller will find a new home on BBC One for two more series and create room for new drama to flourish on BBC Two. Thanks to Jed, Simon Heath’s World Productions, and Stephen Wright at the BBC for producing the record-breaking show.”

Mercurio added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the extremely flattering response to series three. Much of the credit should go to our brilliant cast and crew and to Simon Heath and Priscilla Parish at World Productions. We’re deeply grateful for the unstinting support we receive from Charlotte Moore, Stephen Wright and the whole BBC team. It’s an immense privilege to be able to reward Line of Duty fans with two more series on BBC One.”

Simon Heath of World Productions commented: “We couldn’t have asked for a better response to series three, and it’s testament to Jed’s brilliant writing, and a fantastic cast, that the BBC have handed us two further series on BBC One. A big thank you to Charlotte Moore, Stephen Wright and all in the BBC team who have supported and nurtured the show over the last five years.”

Stephen Wright, executive producer for the BBC, said: “It has been a privilege to be associated with this show and Jed Mercurio’s bold and brilliant writing. Credit goes to the cast, production teams and colleagues in the BBC who have worked on all three series. I am delighted that we have the opportunity to continue to thrill and provoke audiences.”