'Masterpiece' BBC TV series fans say is 'the UK answer to Breaking Bad'

One TV series is being hailed by fans the "best of UK film making," with news of its seventh season airing in 2026 reigniting the passion for this programme among fans. Created by Jed Mecurio, Line of Duty follows a unit specialising in anti-corruption, with the story kicking off after a sergeant, Steve Arniott, joins the team after refusing to be involved in a police cover-up.

Tasked with bringing corrupt officers to justice, the crime-busting team works inside a fictional police force with the duty of "policing the police". The investigations of unit AC-12 have been rated an impressive 8.7/10 on IMDb and 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. The British police drama first premiered on June 26, 2012. Starring Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar, it is acclaimed for its characters and thrilling plot.

One fan urged viewers to stick to the show, titling their review as: "First season good, second season unmissable". Rating Line of Duty, the user wrote in 2014: "It was a good cop show, it came at things from a slightly different angle as it had the anti-corruption unit (internal affairs) as the 'good guys', so my rating was a solid 7.5... I enjoyed it enough to tune in to the second series, which I have to say has been TV at its very best".

Additionally, the commentor crowned the "casting of Keeley Hawes as DI Lindsay Denton" as a "masterstroke," warning that "superb" actor will trigger every emotion you have in your arsenal". Describing their return as "welcoming an old friend back into [thier] life," user 'pk1873' revised their rating as a 9/10 for the first season; 10/10 for the second; and claiming the season three opener "quite literally blew [them] away".

This was supported by a later review on IMDB in 2017 which writes: "I'd give series one an 8/10, however, something happens in the second series and has continued through to the present day. Since that very first episode of series two (or in fairness part six of season one), Line of Duty has become the best thing on the box".

Viewer Clive added: "Four days in binge watch heaven!!! Laid up with my back issues, this series had me riveted." The user went on to say he binged watched "all six seasons in four days" and even claimed to "consider this the UK answer to Breaking Bad".

A fourth TV enthusiast confirmed, "If you're a fan of quality crime drama or Nordic Noir, I cannot recommend this show highly enough," ending on a warning to DVD buyers to "expect some late nights!".