Jed Mercurio’s police corruption drama Line Of Duty returns to BBC Two for a second series later this month and CultBox was lucky enough to attend a recent screening of the opening episode in London.

There are dark times ahead for AC-12 when a police convoy is ambushed leaving three police officers dead and a protected witness seriously injured. The only survivor is DI Lindsay Denton (Keeley Hawes), who comes under suspicion in the aftermath, and it’s up to AC-12 to find out the extent of her involvement – if any.

It’s not every show on TV that can maintain high levels of tension across 60 minutes, but Line of Duty does, whether its palpable in a lengthy interview scene, or sexual between the returning DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) and the plucky, boozy newcomer DC Georgia Trotman (Call the Midwife‘s Jessica Raine).

We have a fascinating and flawed female lead in Denton who is both sympathetic and terrifying in equal measure. Major kudos has to go to Hawes for her compelling, understated performance that should, if there’s any justice in the world, see a brace of awards nods coming her way.

Judging from the opener, the new six-part series won’t be scrimping on the bleak outlook and sudden, shocking moments of threat and violence that made Series 1 so brilliant. A grim scene in a ladies’ toilet sticks in the mind, the first 30 seconds has a high body count, and as for the last 30 seconds…well, that would be telling.

For those of you anxious about where to get your next dose of top quality British drama now that Sherlock is on hiatus, look no further than Line of Duty. The corrupt cop drama is back in full force and, based on the first episode alone, is going to be compelling viewing.

> Buy Series 1 on DVD on Amazon.

> Buy Series 2 on DVD on Amazon.

Watch the Series 2 trailer…

Are you looking forward to Series 2? Let us know below…