Episode Guide · Line of Duty
The Best Episodes of Line of Duty, Ranked
Line of Duty's episodes aren't individually titled — each is simply "Episode" plus its number within the series — but certain installments stand out even within a consistently strong run. Here are five widely cited as standouts among critics and fans, identified by series and episode number, spoiler-free throughout.
The Top Five, Ranked
A Disastrous Affair (2012)
The pilot episode, and the one that introduced the whole format: a botched armed raid pulls DS Steve Arnott into AC-12, and the investigation into DCI Tony Gates begins.
Get the DVDSeries 2 Opener (2014)
A feature-length interrogation of DI Lindsay Denton opens Series 2, and is frequently singled out as one of the show's single best episodes — largely on the strength of Keeley Hawes' performance.
Get the DVDSeries 3 Finale (2016)
Series 3 holds a rare 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, and its finale brings the Danny Waldron investigation to a close in what many still call the show's tightest, most complete season.
Get the DVDSeries 4 Finale (2017)
Thandiwe Newton's DCI Roz Huntley anchors a tense, fast-moving season that builds to a nail-biting finale.
Get the DVDSeries 6 Opener (2021)
Kelly Macdonald's guarded DCI Joanne Davidson keeps viewers guessing as the latest of the show's rotating guest leads.
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