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Line of Duty reveals Bletchley Circle star's huge new character

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

From Digital Spy

Line of Duty is recruiting one of the most esteemed theatre actresses working today to clean up the show's bent coppers.

The BBC One crime drama has announced that Anna Maxwell Martin is joining the cast for the final two episodes of the series as Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael, a top anti-corruption detective brought in from outside AC-12.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

With tensions high and suspicions about H's identity running wild within the division, we imagine DCS Carmichael's arrival will definitely ruffle some feathers within AC-12's ranks.

"I’ve been a fan of Line of Duty for years, so was dead chuffed to be part of series five," Martin said today (April 23). "I’m so pleased I no longer have to keep it a secret!

"I feel honoured to follow in the footsteps of the host of great actors who make up the Line of Duty family, and Jed Mercurio – of course – has written a brilliant character in Carmichael. She’s a woman on a mission."

Photo credit: Joe Maher/FilmMagic - Getty Images
Photo credit: Joe Maher/FilmMagic - Getty Images

Martin is a veteran of the stage, having appeared in His Dark Materials at the Royal National Theatre, Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre and the experimental Pencil at the Old Vic.

Her TV credits include playing codebreaker Susan Gray in The Bletchley Circle, and appearing in Motherland, Bleak House, Accused and embodying Beelzebub in Neil Gaiman's upcoming Good Omens series.

"I’m delighted and flattered an actor of Anna Maxwell Martin’s status agreed to play this pivotal role in Line of Duty," creator Jed Mercurio said. "Anna was a pleasure to work with and brought real depth to the character of DCS Carmichael."

Her arrival on the hit series comes on the heels of a shock departure of a major cast member that left viewers reeling in Sunday night's episode.

Line of Duty airs the arrival of DCS Carmichael on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.


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