Television schedules have been all over the place as the late Duke of Edinburgh has been remembered by the major channels.
Soap operas were postponed along with quiz shows and dramas as BBC One and BBC Two showed the same tribute programming on Friday following Prince Philip’s death at the age of 99. ITV also tore up its schedules as the nation reflected on the loss.
While it will take a while for the schedules to return to normal as postponed shows are rescheduled, there is one thing that wasn't affected – and that was bent coppers.
Because anti police corruption drama Line of Duty was very much on the BBC One schedules for the fourth episode in the sixth series on Sunday night.
And of course, we are not going to even approach anything resembling a spoiler without fair warning, but the vibes were out that it’s going to be a cracker of an episode.
UPDATE: And it was. Big time. Spoilers at bottom of article and in article link below.
The BBC synopsis – which is vague so don’t worry – did offer a tantalising tease that we could be in for something special, and it seems to be centred around mysterious copper Jo Davidson (Kelly Macdonald).
It says: "DCI Jo Davidson faces increasing pressure from all sides as AC-12 make major breakthroughs in the investigation, but an attempt to interview a key witness goes horribly wrong.”
A tweet by one of the show’s stars, Martin Compston who plays DI Steve Arnott in Jed Mercurio’s acclaimed drama centred around AC-12 said on Saturday: "Tomorrow’s the big one episode 4!
"On paper one of the best @jed_mercurio has ever written, if we deliver what was there potential to be a classic.
"Like to give a shout out to the young team Shalom and @gregorypiper98 who give outstanding performances in the midst of the madness".
This is a name check for Shalom Brune-Franklin, who plays AC-12’s Chloe Bishop, and Gregory Piper, who plays Ryan Pilkington, a newly recruited police officer who is working for an organised crime group (OCG).
The hit show also stars Vicky McClure as Detective Inspector Kate Fleming and Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings.
Spoilers - the episode contained a dramatic shootout with one casualty, followed by another shock death in a prison and further revelation about Ryan. Then, prompting a 'Mother of God' from Hastings, we are teased about a blood relation of Jo Davidson.
Line of Duty is on BBC One at 9pm on Sundays and then on iPlayer.
