The season six finale of the BBC police drama was the UK’s most-watched TV drama of the 21st-century.
If you haven’t heard of Line of Duty, then you must have been living under a rock.
The popular BBC police drama was the most talked-about TV event of the year as viewers were hooked to their screens to discover the identity of the mysterious H.
Thanks to its popularity among audiences of all ages and backgrounds, Line of Duty beat out some hit shows to be named TV Drama of the Year.
A must-watch – a thrilling drama
Following the work lives of Superintendent Ted Hastings, played by Fermanagh-born Adrian Dunbar, DI Steve Arnott, played by Martin Compston, and DI Kate Fleming, played by Vicky McClure, the drama takes viewers on a thrilling ride as the three inspectors try to uncover the identity of H.
With over 12.8 million people tuning in to watch the season six finale, the series became the most-watched UK TV drama of the 21st-century.
Thus, proving such a hit with audiences, it is really no surprise that Line of Duty topped the polls to be named TV Drama of the Year.
Other contenders – beating out tough competition
The competition for TV Drama of the Year is held by the Royal Television Society. Each heat is decided by public vote.
The first round started out with 16 shows from across various channels and viewing platforms. Shows from the BBC, Netflix, Channel 4, and Disney Plus were some of those listed.
Whittling the choices down to just four, the semi-final saw TV hits Squid Game, Succession, and It’s a Sin battle it out with Line of Duty for the top spot.
However, the humble BBC police drama took the top spot, beating out some of the most popular shows of the year.
Line of Duty named TV Drama of the Year – yet another win for the show
The Royal Television Society announced the exciting news on Twitter. They said, “Well, like Ted Hastings himself, there’s clearly only one thing you’re interested in… and that’s bent coppers because the polls saw unit AC-12 beat the Roy family hands down!
“That’s right, the TV Drama of 2021 you voted for was… #LineOfDuty!”
However, this is not the first time the hit series has received recognition. Earlier this year, Line of Duty won Best Returning Drama at the National Television Awards.
Plans for a return? – nothing official just yet
Fans are eager for another series of the show. Still, creator Jed Mercurio is remaining tight-lipped about any plans for a return.
However, Adrian Dunbar told GQ he was “sure the BBC want to do another series”. Bringing in the biggest viewing figures of the century, we think they’d be silly not to!
“I have a couple of ideas. We all have ideas that we share – but I’d rather not say what they are,” continued Dunbar. “There are things embedded in the storyline that could come together to make up a very interesting series seven.”
Now that Line of Duty has been voted TV Drama of the Year, we hope that will be the extra motivation the creators need to plan another series. We hope to see our favourite TV cops out filming on the streets of Belfast again soon!
