Line of Duty: Everything that happened in series three

Jed Mercurio continued to wow audiences with the third series of Line of Duty back in 2016, pulling in the likes of Daniel Mays, Will Mellor, Arsher Ali and Leanne Best to lead the new storyline.

The third series pulled in such huge audiences, the BBC decided to upgrade the show to a slot on BBC One for the next series! Now the BBC have confirmed a seventh series of the hit crime drama, here's your ultimate recap of series three.

What happened in Line of Duty season three?

Continuing on with the theme of fast-paced and tense opening scenes, episode one begins by introducing viewers to Sergeant Danny Waldron and his team of armed response officers, as they are deployed to arrest a suspect called Ronan Murphy, who is wanted as part of a recent murder plot.

As Ronan attempts to flea from the unit, Sgt Waldron chases him on foot and corners him in a housing estate, making Ronan surrender his weapon and place his arms up in the air. Instead of making an arrest, Sgt Waldron shoots him three times, murdering the suspect and quickly manipulating the surrounding area to make the killing look like self-defence. Moments later the other members of the armed response unit arrive and Sgt Waldron is quick to force them to cover-up the killing.

Due to the circumstances of the suspect's death, Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12) are tasked with investigating, with Superintendent Ted Hastings, DS Steve Arnott and DS Matthew "Dot" Cottan interviewing Sgt Waldron about Ronan's killing, whilst DC Kate Fleming watched on from an enclosed room. To find out more, Superintendent Hastings sends DC Fleming undercover in Sgt Waldron's team, and she quickly discovers his team members PC Rod Kennedy, PC Jackie Brickford and PC Harinderpal “Hari” Bains are hiding something.

During another raid, Sgt Waldron steals an illegal gun and later follows Ronan's uncle Linus home from his funeral, holding him at gunpoint and torturing him, before admitting to killing his nephew. As he heads back to his own flat, viewers witness Sgt Waldron writing a list of names and putting it in an envelope which is addressed to DS Arnott.

After taking a dislike to DC Fleming during another job, he orders her to stay downstairs on the team's next raid, revealing he doesn't think her being on the team will work. Doing what she is told, DC Fleming stays on guard at the bottom of the stairs, but when she hears a gunshot, she runs to find Sgt Waldron bleeding out with a bullet in his neck, surrounded by his team members.

Despite DC Fleming trying her best to revive Sgt Waldron, he dies at the scene, resulting in his team members being pulled in for an interview with AC-12.

Although PC Brickford, PC Bains and PC Kennedy all claim Sgt Waldron shot himself, Superintendent Hastings carries out an arrest, only for legal counsellor Gill Biggeloe to overturn the arrests.

Over at Sgt Waldron's house, DI Cottan is joined by a team of forensic officers to search the property, where he's quick to find Sgt Waldron's illegal firearm and the list of names he left DS Arnott. Before calling the forensic team in to bag up the firearm, DI Cottan pockets the paper containing the list of names, leaving the envelope addressed to DS Arnott to be found. At the same time, DS Arnott discovers parts of Linus Murphy's body, going on to find his decapitated head in a storage unit which was rented under Sgt Waldron's name.

Things take another twist when PC Kennedy's body is found hanged, with evidence suggesting he's taken his own life, resulting in both PC Brickford and PC Bains telling AC-12 it was actually PC Kennedy who killed Sgt Waldron.

Lindsay Denton makes a return during the second episode, appearing in court to appeal her conviction for conspiracy to murder of Tommy Hunter, where she makes a claim she had a sexual relationship with DS Arnott whilst she was under investigation by AC-12 during series two.

After discovering a childhood photo of Sgt Waldron with other boys at his property, DS Arnott traces the location to Sands View boys' home, where he identifies one of Waldron’s former friends, Joseph Nash, in the picture. After agreeing to an interview, Joseph emotionally opens up about his experience at the home, revealing Linus Murphy was the caretaker who allowed the boys to be sexually abused by Ronan and a number of other men, including former city councillor Dale Roach.

With tensions rising, PC Brickford changes her statement to AC-12, admitting the real truth about the deaths of both Ronan and Sgt Waldron. After hearing her words, DS Arnott orders more forensics on Sgt Waldron's flat and a second post-mortem on PC Kennedy's body - which comes back showing he was in fact murdered. Upon hearing the results, DS Arnott and DC Fleming head to arrest PC Bains, but DI Cottan warns him they are coming, and later frames him for attempting to murder him. After PC Bains is arrested, a number of burner phones are found in his house, making him look increasingly guilty.

Meanwhile, the jury delivers its verdict in Lindsay Denton’s trial - she is acquitted of conspiracy to murder but found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Having already served time in prison, she's released. As news coverage of her release airs, DI Cottan watches on, as his three burner phones ring.

Episode four begins with Lindsay being back in the AC-12 office, where she's looking for a formal apology from Superintendent Hastings, DS Arnott and DC Fleming for her 'wrongful' conviction. During the scene, Lindsay reveals she's got a recording of her sexual encounter with DS Arnott, threatening to use it if AC-12 don't give her what she wants, despite DS Arnott continuously denying the claims.

For his role in bringing in PC Bains, DI Cottan is awarded with a commendation and his scheming ways continue when he reports DS Arnott to legal councillor Biggeloe, as well as telling lies about him to get DC Fleming on his side. DS Arnott is later suspended due to suspicions he's a corrupt officer, thanks to DI Cottan's profile of 'The Caddy' being manipulated to fit DS Arnott' profile.

DS Arnott isn’t the only one to suffer from DI Cottan’s scheming. Later, Cottan corners DC Morton, threatening to sabotage his pension unless he hands over a mobile phone and SIM card containing records of Cottan’s calls to Tommy Hunter. Although DC Morton hands over the phone and SIM card, allowing DI Cottan to destroy the evidence, it is later revealed that DC Morton has a copy.

Elsewhere in episode four, under pressure from his unknown contact, PC Bains confesses to killing Sgt Waldron, though he continues to deny any role in the death of his friend, PC Kennedy. Meanwhile, AC-12 pull in former Vice Chief Superintendent Patrick Fairbank for a chat about his involvement in the Sands View cover-up, but he insists he has no recollection of the case.

At the beginning of episode five, DI Cottan continues his mission to spread false claims about DS Arnott, leading DS Arnott to be suspended further by Superintendent Hastings. Following his suspension, DS Arnott grows closer with Lindsay Denton, and the pair attempt to find an electronic copy of the list created by Sgt Waldron. After Lindsay tricks DS Arnott into a false lead, she goes into an Internet café where she's able to hack into Sgt Waldron's emails, finding a photo of the list hidden in his drafts.

After storing the list in her own email drafts, Lindsay leaves the café and sees DS Arnott's car pull up, only for DI Cottan to appear at the wheel. As he forces her to get in the car, Lindsay quickly realises DI Cottan is the rat, and despite his plea to give her money for the list, she rejects his proposal and hits send on the email to Superintendent Hastings, resulting in DI Cottan shooting her in the head from close range.

The series finale begins with Superintended Hastings receiving the list by Lindsay via email, before he gets a phone call telling him her dead body has been found in DS Arnott's service car.

Despite reporting his vehicle as stolen, DS Arnott is arrested on suspicion of murdering Lindsay, and DI Cottan presents damming evidence in his interview in an attempt to accuse DS Arnott as being 'The Caddy'. Although DS Arnott categorically denies the accusations, he's held up in a cell.

Unbeknown to the team, DC Fleming has been working undercover to investigate various AC-12 officers, leading her to find evidence against DI Cottan. As he's pulled in for an interview by DC Fleming and Superintendent Hastings, DI Cottan is backed into a corner and sends a 'urgent exit required' text to an unknown number. As the text sends, an armed officer standing outside the interview room begins to shoot around the office, allowing for DI Cottan to escape the building.

Former armed police officer DC Fleming gives chase across the city on foot, but when he's picked up by a getaway vehicle it looks like he's about to escape. However, DC Fleming is able to shoot the driver of the car pulling it to a stop, and DI Cottan later jumps in front of bullets in order to save DC Fleming. As back-up arrives, DC Fleming records DI Cottan's dying declaration, where he confesses to his role and reveals the truth about Patrick Fairbank.

Following DI Cottan's declaration, DS Arnott is released and exonerated, returning to his role within AC-12. At the end of the series, DC Fleming is rewarded with commendation and is promoted to Detective Sergeant for her role in bringing down DI Cottan.

It's also revealed that Lindsay Denton receives a posthumous recognition, whilst DC Morton is able to retire on a full pension, as well as his disability benefits. Patrick Fairbank is also arrested whilst playing a game of bowls, finally getting his comeuppance for his crimes.

When did it air?

Series three kicked off on 24th March 2016, running for six weeks until 28th April 2016.

What channel was it on?

Series three ended up being the last to air on BBC Two, before the drama was moved to BBC One.

How many episodes?

Just like the second series, the third instalment is made up of six episodes.

How many viewers?

The third series of Line of Duty gained over one million viewers, with an average of 4.81 million viewers.

Who was in the cast of the third season?

Usual faces such as Adrian Dunbar (Superintendent Ted Hastings), Martin Compston (DS Steve Arnott), Vicky McClure (DC Kate Fleming) and Craig Parkinson (DI Matthew "Dot" Cottan) all appear, as well a number of new high profile actors being introduced to the cast.

Will Mellor (Mr Bates vs The Post Office), Arsher Ali (Four Lions), Daniel Mays (White Lines), Leanne Best (This City Is Ours), and Shaun Parkes (The Suspect) all join for series three, whilst Keeley Hawes returns as Lindsay Denton and, and Neil Morrissey reprises his role as DC Nigel Morton.

Check out the cast list for series three of Line of Duty below:

Martin Compston as DS Steve Arnott

Vicky McClure as DC Kate Fleming

Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings

Craig Parkinson as DS Matthew "Dot" Cottan

Neil Morrissey as DC Nigel Morton

Keeley Hawes as Lindsay Denton

Daniel Mays as Sergeant Daniel Waldron

Will Mellor as PC Rod Kennedy

Arsher Ali as PC Harinderpal “Hari” Bains

Leanne Best as PC Jackie Brickford

Polly Walker as Gill Biggeloe

Shaun Parkes as Chief Superintendent Terry Reynolds

George Costigan as Chief Superintendent Patrick Fairbank

Mandana Jones as Superintendent Madeline Summers

Aiysha Hart as DS Sam Railston

Jonas Armstrong as Joe Nash

Maya Sondhi as PC Maneet Bindra

Lisa Palfrey as Inspector Tracey McAndrew

James Edlin as AFO Lambert

Shane Gately as Ronan Murphy

Louis Rolston as Linus Murphy

Kiran Landa as Laila Bains

Rebecca O’Mara as Rachel O’Connor

Adjoa Andoh as the Prosecutor

Brian Ferguson as Robin Stewart

Can I watch it?

As well as being available for customers of streaming service Netflix, you can watch Line of Duty for free on BBC iPlayer now.

Who wrote it?

The genius that is Jed Mercurio returned to write and executive produce series three, with all six episodes being directed by Michael Keillor and John Strickland.

Speaking to Radio Times about his favourite moment in series three, Jed said: "The scenes in AC-12, seeing the gang together. Martin, Vicky, Adrian and Craig, who was a huge part of season 3, relished working together. That was the point when everything fell into place and we all wanted to stick with the show. We knew we were coming back to Belfast for season 4 and it felt great."

You can see a full list of other TV shows Jed has worked on right here, including Bloodlands and Trigger Point.

Where was it filmed?

Filming for series three took place in Northern Ireland between April and July 2015, with the majority in Belfast and County Antrim.

According to Northern Ireland Screen, notable filming locations include Riverside Tower, Invest NI, Mount Eagles, Holywood Road, Dundonald Cemetary, Belfast City Hall, St Matthews Church, Methodist College Belfast, East Belfast Yacht Club, Cadogan Park, Bombay Brasserie and Antrim Road.

Check out some of the Line of Duty filming locations in Belfast below:

Now read:

Line of Duty: Everything that happened in series one

Line of Duty: Everything that happened in series two

Line of Duty officially announced for new series

Want more entertainment news?

Read more of the latest entertainment news here.