Line Of Duty Series 5: The Complete Series – The DVDfever Review

Line Of Duty Series 5
Line Of Duty Series 5 brings AC12 back to our screens for the first time since 2017, and for the first time in my years of TV reviews, the first episode of Line Of Duty has NOT been made available for previews.

Usually, this means that a show stinks, so given the series’ pedigree to date – especially with such game-changing openers each time, I was really hoping that would not be the case. Of course, it could mean that it still IS the best thing since sliced bread, but that in 2019, more and more people are breaking embargoes and posting spoilers online prior to the broadcast of a show, which is NOT on.

Of course, when that happens – whether for movies, TV shows or videogames, it impacts on ALL reviewers and ruins it for everyone, and is often the case for the latter, where videogames aren’t often not available for review until launch day, by which time the game is out, and by the time you’ve got your review online… you realise you really could’ve done with a two-week lead time.

As such, embargo breakers should always be served with a Reg15 notice, and be off to the cells with you, fella.



The first episode told us in the billing that a gang ram-raid a truck full of drugs, thanks to a tip-off from the police, and that three police officers are shot dead, so the inference – with this show – is that someone well-known to us will either bite the bullet or be the baddie.

When they did interview a suspect, that person made a really crappy attempt at an escape.

This first episode also shows that Line Of Duty is sticking with the conventional 16:9 ratio rather than the new-vogue of 2.00:1 which Jed Mecurio‘s Bodyguard was filmed in, but that was most likely down to Netflix’s backing.

As for content about this episode which would be a spoiler, here comes the spoiler section:

Spoiler Inside SelectShow

UPDATE Episode 2: (spoilers…)

Spoiler Inside SelectShow

UPDATE: Episode 3 began with the revelation that H is…

Spoiler Inside SelectShow

UPDATE: Episode 4: (spoilers…)

Spoiler Inside SelectShow

UPDATE Episode 5: (spoilers…)

Spoiler Inside SelectShow

UPDATE: Episode 6 was as confusing as a confusing thing. I had to rewind a couple of bits, but just as you thought things were wrapped up, another can of worms opened.

Who was H? Was it really H from Steps? Well, here comes the spoiler header, so DO NOT READ IT IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!

Spoiler Inside SelectShow

And with the spoiler header off, this tweet summed up this finale:

Line Of Duty Series 5 is available to pre-order on DVD, as well as in a Series 1-5 DVD boxset, ahead of their release on May 6th, and the drama continues next Sunday on BBC1 at 9pm. If you missed it, you can watch the first episode on BBC iPlayer for 30 days after transmission.


Line of Duty Series 5 Trailer – BBC One


Episode 1 Score: 7/10
Episode 2 Score: 8/10
Episode 3 Score: 8.5/10
Episode 4 Score: 8/10
Episode 5 Score: 9/10
Episode 6 Score: 9/10

Director: John Strickland
Producer: Ken Horn
Writer: Jed Mercurio
Music: Carly Paradis

Steve Arnott: Martin Compston
Kate Fleming: Vicky McClure
Ted Hastings: Adrian Dunbar
John Corbett: Stephen Graham
Maneet Bindhra: Maya Sondhi
Lisa Mcqueen: Rochenda Sandall
Gill Biggeloe: Polly Walker
Vihaan Malhotra: Maanuv Thiara
McQueen: Rochenda Sandall
Jane Cafferty: Sian Reese-Williams
Lee: Alastair Natkiel
Miroslav: Tomi May
Aaron: Stefan Boehm
Sam: Aiysha Hart
Ryan: Gregory Piper
Sindwhani: Ace Bhatti
Tatleen: Taj Atwal
Powell: Susan Vidler
Slater: Barry Aird
Mark: Max Dowler
Maneet’s Rep: Jo Dow
Hargreaves: Tony Pitts
Hotel Receptionist: Thomas Finnegan
Interpreter: Natalia Kostrzewa


Previously on DVDfever:

March 24th:

Line Of Duty Series 5 comes to BBC1, as did series 4, following the previous three being on BBC2, and more power to writer/creator Jed Mecurio, who also brought us Cardiac Arrest, Bodies and last year’s Bodyguard.

Synopsis: After three police officers are murdered in cold blood during a hijack by armed men wearing balaclavas led by John Corbett (Stephen Graham), AC-12 Are alerted that the hijack would’ve required a corrupt police insider.

Yep, corruption again, but that’s what it’s about. How long before they get through ALL the main cast?

Line Of Duty Series 5 begins on Sunday March 31st at 9pm on BBC1, on both the tellybox and iPlayer. Be there, fella.

Director: John Strickland (Bodyguard, Troy: Fall Of A City)
Also stars: Martin Compston, Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure, Aiysha Hart, Natalia Kostrzewa, Sian Reese-Williams, Rochenda Sandall, Maya Sondhi, Stefan Boehm

Check out the new trailer below:




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