Line of Duty is a show that's taken the UK by storm since the very first episode aired back in 2012. As the long-awaited sixth series is finally upon us, fans of the show are already dreading the inevitable end. The series six trailer was released [1] just over a month ago, and it had our heads spinning. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait too long for the show to land on our screens and just three episodes in [2], we've already been introduced to a whole host of new acronyms [3], potential suspects, and Superintendent Ted Hasting's signature phrases like "bent coppers" and "letter of the law" on a loop.
This series has also seen some refreshing new additions to the cast [4] like Kelly Macdonald, Andi Osho and Prasanna Puwanarajah, alongside returning AC-12 members like Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar, and of course, Martin Compston. Now that we're halfway through the series, it's sadly time to think about how we're possibly going to survive when it ends. The answer is of course, to find an entirely new police drama to sink our teeth into. We've rounded up the best ones for your viewing pleasure, so hopefully you won't be at a loss when Line of Duty comes to an end. Keep reading to find out which dramas need to be added to your list.
The Bridge
Watch if you're into: Nordic noir crime shows (although, if you're a fan of British crime shows, you'll absolutely love this), and brilliant writing and acting. A joint Danish/Swedish production, The Bridge (Bron/Broen) has inspired a spin-off series in the UK, US, Germany, and Asia. The show follows Swedish detective Saga Noren (Sofia Helin) and her Danish counterpart (Kim Bodnia, followed by Thure Lindhardt in the latter seasons) who have to work together to solve crimes that involve both countries. The series gets its name from the crime in season one, which involves a body being found on the bridge between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden — a structure that plays a significant role in the show throughout all four series.
How many seasons? Four
Where to watch: Watch The Bridge on BBC iPlayer [5].
Luther
Watch if you're into: Something grittier than Sherlock, sexual tension, and impressive acting. Ruth Wilson's wickedly delightful portrayal of the incredibly intelligent (but also kind of evil) Alice Morgan will give you chills. Also, if you don't have a crush on Idris Elba yet, you will after watching this series.
How many seasons? Five
Where to watch: Watch Luther on BBC iPlayer [6].
The Fall
Watch if you're into: Gillian Anderson [7] and psychological thrillers — this one's not for the fainthearted. The Fall is a thriller about a serial killer from Northern Ireland, and the female detective from London that's hired to catch him. It also helps if you're strangely attracted to Jamie Dornan as a villain [8] (sorry not sorry).
How many seasons? Three
Where to watch: Watch The Fall on Netflix [9].
The Tunnel
Watch if you're into: British-French crime dramas, cross-channel investigations, and the Swedish-Danish version, The Bridge. The Tunnel follows the story of British-French detectives who are forced to work together in order to unearth the mystery of a French politician's death inside the Channel Tunnel.
How many seasons? Three
Where to watch: Watch The Tunnel on Amazon Prime [10].
Unforgotten
Watch if you're into: Historic disappearances, cold cases, or Nicola Walker and the authentic, no-nonsense characters she typically plays. Unforgotten follows detectives Cassie Stuart (played by Walker) and Sunil "Sunny" Khan as they unravel cases from the past.
How many seasons? Three, with series four [11] streaming now.
Where to watch: Watch Unforgotten on Netflix [12].
Criminal
Watch if you're into: David Tennant, police dramas, and seeing some of your favourite actors play complex characters. Criminal, which takes place pretty much entirely in the interrogation room, focuses on the intense conflict between detectives and their suspects.
How many seasons? Two
Where to watch: Watch Criminal on Netflix [13].
Killing Eve
Watch if you're into: Witty humour, the Alex Rider series, and Sandra Oh [14]. Killing Eve [15] follows the story of Eve Polastri, a former MI5 security officer who joins an unassuming investigation to capture trained assassin Villanelle (played by Jodie Comer). It's compelling, it's surprising, and most importantly, it's strangely hilarious.
How many seasons? Three
Where to watch: Watch Killing Eve on BBC iPlayer [16].
Bordertown
Watch if you're into: Nordic noir and Sherlock Holmes-style detectives. Finnish crime drama Bordertown follows the story of a gifted detective who takes a new job in a small town in order to spend some more time with his family, but ends up getting sucked into numerous haunting murder investigations instead.
How many seasons? Three
Where to watch: Watch Bordertown on Netflix [17].
The Shield
Watch if you're into: American crime dramas, shows about police corruption, and the tension that comes with internal politics. The Shield follows the story of a captain who struggles to decide between looking after his cops and looking after himself.
How many seasons? Seven
Where to watch: Watch The Shield on Amazon Prime [18].
The Bodyguard
Watch if you're into: politics, Golden Globe Award-winning shows, and Richard Madden. The Bodyguard follows the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch in the Metropolitan police as former war veteran David Budd (played by Madden) joins the force.
How many seasons? One
Where to watch: Watch The Bodyguard on Netflix [19].
True Detective
Watch if you're into: anthology series, homicide investigations, and Matthew McConaughey [20]. True Detective follows a number of police officers and detectives around the US that begin to uncover some pretty dark secrets.
How many seasons? Three
Where to watch: Watch True Detective on Amazon Prime [21].
The Wire
Watch if you're into: Watch if you're into: Shows like Top Boy and Law & Order (it's a bit like a combination of the two), complex crime dramas, and deeply flawed main characters. Described as an "anti-cop show", The Wire has been dubbed by some critics as one of the greatest shows in the history of US television. The series, which has starred Idris Elba, Dominic West, and Michael B. Jordan, follows a group of Baltimore-based cops trying to solve major crimes in their city amidst corruption on the police force, in the political sector, and in the press — as well as dealing with their own vices and shortcomings.
How many seasons? Five
Where to watch: Watch The Wire on Amazon Prime [22].