Line of Duty producer promises season 6 moment that will BREAK the internet

TV tonight Line of Duty
(Image credit: BBC/World Productions/Steffan Hill/Geraint Williams)

We've gathered all the Line of Duty backstage gossip from series six just for you...

With only a few days to wait until Line of Duty series six starts back on our screens, we grilled those behind the best crime drama on TV to find all the gossip.

After a two year wait since series five, fans have been waiting patiently for the next instalment of drama from Superintendent Ted Hastings and his team at AC-12.

And, there is plenty to look forward to in series six, as executive producer, Simon Heath, has revealed there are some huge twists and turns coming our way.

Line of Duty season 6 team

Line of Duty is back with a new series and we have got all the insider gossip (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/World Productions/Aidan Monaghan/Steffan Hill)

whatsontv.co.uk recently joined Simon, show creator Jed Mercurio and cast members Vicky McClure (DI Kate Fleming), Adrian Dunbar (Ted Hastings) and Kelly Macdonald (DCI Joanne Davidson) for a chat ahead of the new series.

More: Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio drops bombshell that series six STILL isn't finished 

Here is everything we found out about the new series from those in the know...

There are bombshells you won't see coming

When asked about whether series six has any moments that might break the internet, Simon confirmed there were with a simple, "Yes, I do!".

Obviously it is impossible for him to elaborate without giving away any spoilers, so we will just have to wait and see. But, talk about exciting!

Kelly Macdonald as DCI Joanne Davidson

Kelly Macdonald admitted she hadn't watched Line of Duty before landing the role of DCI Joanne Davidson (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/World Productions)

The cast found an intriguing way to pass the time

Kate Fleming star Vicky McClure and newcomer Kelly Macdonald revealed they spent their time doing jigsaw puzzles between takes... "It was a jigsaw that never got completed," admitted Vicky.

"Kelly brought in a jigsaw which will stress me out forever, because it was the hardest one I've ever seen. We were doing puzzles way before everyone else during lockdown, we are so rock and roll!

TV tonight Line of Duty

Adrian Dunbar has revealed his alter ego Ted has a new Northern Irish saying... (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/World Productions/Steffan Hill)

Ted Hastings has a new saying 

Every Line of Duty fans knows Ted is famous for his Northern Irish sayings... and this series he has a new one - 'Houl Yer Whisht!' - which literally translates into 'Please be quiet'.

Adrian admitted that he's got a soft spot for his character's sayings... "They've taken on a life of their own now haven't they?" he laughs. "They've become drinking games. You can do all kinds of things with the 'fellas' and the 'mother of gods'.

"Mother of god came from my dad. He used to say it all the time. So it's a kind of a little nod towards him."

Kelly Macdonald had never watched the show before landing the role 

While Line of Duty might have been on our screens since 2012, Kelly admitted she hadn't watched a single episode before joining the cast... "I was aware of Line of Duty, but I hadn't watched it. I spent a number of years in New York filming and I missed a huge amount of British pop culture.

"I knew the show was huge, but I had to start watching it when I got the offer and see what it was all about!"

DI Kate Fleming in Line of Duty

Vicky has revealed she spent a lot of her time between takes doing jigsaw puzzles (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/World Productions/Steffan Hill)

Martin Compston had a hilarious waistcoat drama 

Vicky let slip that when the cast and crew returned to filming following lockdown, Martin Compston had a slight wardrobe malfunction where Steve Arnott's infamous waistcoats didn't fit...

"I think he was being slightly dramatic to be fair, but he went back to Vegas and obviously had a few In-N-Out Burgers! He just chilled out as we all did during lockdown.

"He had to to self isolate for two weeks when he came back so production got him an exercise bike for his flat and apparently he just ate soup for two weeks!"

They had to build a brand new set because of Covid

As with all TV shows there are currently a lot of social distancing rules to stick to. Vicky admitted there were quite a few changes to get used to after returning from lockdown...

"There was a traffic light system on set and only certain members of crew were allowed on set the same time as cast.

"We also built a set so that we have ventilation in certain areas. For example the AC-12 interview room is not great for COVID in a glass contained box. So, as much as we use the original set for other things, we used a new set and you genuinely can't tell the difference."

Adrian Dunbar as Ted Hastings - Adrian was on Gogglebox tonight

Adrian Dunbar revealed he watches Line of Duty on TV when it airs, just like the rest of us! (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/World Productions)

The cast watch the show in real time - just like us! 

Adrian admitted that the cast all watch the episodes as they air, just like everyone else...

"We watch it like the audience because it's such a collective experience watching the show. It's great to sit back with everybody else and watch it in real time."

Line of Duty series 6 starts on Sunday 21st March on BBC One at 9pm. You can also catch up on series 1-5 on BBC iPlayer

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.