Line of Duty viewers watched in their millions as the hit BBC drama retuned to the small screen two years after season four came to an epic conclusion, and fans of the show were not left disappointed by the lengthy wait.
Seemingly over the deception by ACC Derek Hilton (played by Paul Higgins), the AC-12 team were thrown back into the thick of the action as they faced off against the balaclava group who were causing havoc for Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrain Dunbar), DC Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and DC Steve Arnott (Martin Compston).
Though viewers weren’t the only ones who were in for a shock at the end of the episode when it was revealed the head of the masked group was actually an undercover police officer John Corbett (Stephen Graham).
Creator Jed Mercurio, 53, also dealt viewers another heart-wrenching blow when fan favourite Maneet Bindra (Maya Sondhi) was killed off, but the shocks seemed to do the trick as the first episode of the new season became the most watched TV show of 2019.
Over 7.1 million viewers tuned in to see the hit drama return to the BBC last night, which gave the series its best overnight viewing figure since the show began in 2012.
However, those figures don’t replicate the full extent of the ratings as the big number doesn’t include those views coming from fans tuning in on the catch-up service, BBC iPlayer.
Though, the serial drama did manage to beat its sister show Bodyguard, also created by Mercurio, with viewing figures for its opening episode.
Bodyguard premiered last summer with 6.8 million viewers tuning in to watch the highly tense thriller starring former Line of Duty actress Keeley Hawes, 43, a million less than last night’s figures for Mercurio’s returning police drama.
Fans were captivated by the twists and turns, no more than Corbett’s role in an undercover police operation as the criminal adversary was seen hammering home to Lisa McQueen (Rochenda Sandall) the importance of the balaclava group and their heinous crimes.
Lisa was clergy in two minds about her decision be become a part of the group, with the criminal adversary letting a police officer live in the opening shootout between the masked gang and the police force, as well as bursting into tears after Maneet’s fate was sealed when Corbett discovered her burner phone.
Taking to Twitter after the episode, viewers were as shocked as the AC-12 team at discovering Corbett’s true identity, voicing their surprise at the reveal and excitement at the drama returning.
One viewer posted: “How many more expressions can I make watching this! Love it,” whilst another wrote: “I can’t work out if he’s still undercover or now a bent copper. I have missed u line of duty.” (sic).
Viewers were left gripped to the edge of their seats as Maneet lay dying at the side of the river after members of the balaclava group attacked her on the orders of gang leader Corbett.
Speaking about Maneet’s death, writer Mercurio told press, including Express.co.uk: “[We] like to surprise. It was something which was done in collusion, so Maya [actress] and I have been talking.
“It wasn’t something that was inflicted on her without discussion. I was really delighted that she was really up for that particular story.”
With the fifth season airing over the next few weeks, with more twists and turns expected, a sixth season has already been commissioned by the BBC.
However, Mercurio has stated he does have a plan in sight on how the Line of Duty saga will conclude in the future.
Mercurio said: “We all love making the show. I think a lot depends on how people respond to it. I think it’s great when people get very excited about it and they get to the end of the series and they’re talking about what they want to know and what they want to see next.
“I think we recognise it’s got a life span so, I think we’ve got to calibrate that against what the audience response is.”
With some viewers sceptical ACC Hilton wasn’t the real culprit behind the guise of villain H, Mercurio teased a possible reveal this season, commenting fans of the show would have to endure the drama over the next few weeks to see if they get an answer.
Line of Duty continues Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.