The second series of Line of Duty, consisting of six episodes, premiered on 12 February 2014 on BBC Two. The series follows Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) and DC Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) as they lead an investigation into the corrupt actions of DI Lindsay Denton (Keeley Hawes). Additional characters include DI Matthew Cottan (Craig Parkinson) and DC Nigel Morton (Neil Morrissey). Beginning with this series, Dunbar and Parkinson are credited as main cast members in the opening credits.
Cast
Main cast
Keeley Hawes as DI Lindsay Denton
Martin Compston as DS Steve Arnott
Vicky McClure as DC Kate Fleming
Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings
Craig Parkinson as DI Matthew "Dot" Cottan (credited with main cast in episodes in which he appears) Jessica Raine as DC Georgia Trotman (credited with main cast in episode in which she appears)
Supporting cast
Neil Morrissey as DC Nigel Morton
Brian McCardie as Tommy Hunter
Charlotte Spencer as Carly Kirk
Allison McKenzie as DS Jayne Akers
Tony Pitts as DCS Lester Hargreaves
Christina Chong as DS Nicola Rogerson
Mark Bonnar as DCC Mike Dryden
Steve Toussaint as Chief Superintendent Raymond Mallick
Sacha Dhawan as DS Manish Prasad
Henry Pettigrew as DC Jeremy Cole
Michael Nardone as Sergeant O'Neill
David Maybrick as Sergeant Alex Wallis
Antonio Magro as PC Vincent Butler
Niall Macgregor as Richard Akers
Richard Huw as Nick Ronson, Evening Post journalist
Liz White as Jo Dwyer
Episodes
Reception
Series two received even better reviews than its predecessor, and was ranked the best television drama of 2014 by The Observer. Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times praised the series as "original and surprising", whilst also citing an improvement on the first season, describing it as "more brutal and thrilling". Sarah Hughes of The Guardian praised the series' finale, stating "Well done to Jed Mercurio and co for a powerful, satisfying and, best of all, believable conclusion that, while quieter than the end to series one, resonated far more."
Awards
Keeley Hawes received a Leading Actress nomination for her role as DI Lindsay Denton at the 2015 British Academy Television Awards.