Written by Jed Mercurio (Cardiac Arrest, Bodies), Line Of Duty will follow one multi-stranded investigation over five hours. The five-part drama began filming in Birmingham this week and will air next year.

> Order Series 1 on DVD on Amazon.

Mercurio commented: “I’m hugely excited by the opportunity to set a drama in the controversial realities of 21st century policing. Line Of Duty is a commentary on the perverse bureaucracy that hamstrings frontline officers, but first and foremost it’s a thriller.

The writer continued: “Lennie James is electric as DCI Tony Gates, a complex and elusive anti-hero, and a formidable antagonist for two of the most exciting young talents in British TV – Martin Compston and Vicky McClure – who play the relentless anti-corruption officers on his trail. Twists and turns are added by a star-studded cast including Gina McKee, Neil Morrissey, Adrian Dunbar, Kate Ashfield, Craig Parkinson and Paul Higgins.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, added: “Jed Mercurio has created a brilliantly imagined fictional police drama that feels remarkably prescient. The fine cast will reveal a complex set of characters who will shine a timely spotlight on modern day policing.”

Watch a trailer for BBC Two’s recent drama productions…