Line of Duty: Inside the British anti‑corruption drama

Introduction

Line of duty is a British crime drama that has drawn attention for its focus on police corruption and internal accountability. The series is relevant to viewers interested in contemporary policing, institutional trust and the procedures used to investigate alleged wrongdoing within law enforcement. By following the work of an anti‑corruption team and the career of one sergeant, the show explores themes that resonate with public debates about transparency and the rule of law.

Main details

Premise and main character

The series follows Detective Sergeant Steven “Steve” Arnott (played by Martin Compston). Sources note Arnott is a former authorised firearms officer and that an operation he led is an important part of his backstory. Arnott’s refusal to become involved in a police cover‑up leads him to join an anti‑corruption team, setting up the central conflict and investigative thrust of the drama.

Focus on anti‑corruption investigations

According to available descriptions, Line of Duty centres on a team of elite detectives tasked with probing police corruption. The anti‑corruption unit’s inquiries form the backbone of the series, with episodes driven by investigations, interviews and the unfolding consequences for officers under suspicion. This investigative focus frames the show as a procedural drama that places institutional scrutiny at its core.

Broadcast context

IMDb lists Line of Duty as a TV series that began in 2012 and continued thereafter. Reviews and synopses from aggregators describe it consistently as a British crime drama about internal investigations and the moral dilemmas faced by officers who confront wrongdoing within their ranks.

Conclusion

Line of Duty combines a character‑centred story with procedural investigations into police corruption. By following a sergeant who resists a cover‑up and joins an anti‑corruption team, the series offers viewers a lens on accountability within policing. For audiences, the show remains significant as a dramatized exploration of institutional oversight and professional ethics; its themes are likely to continue resonating with those interested in crime drama and debates about policing in the public sphere.