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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Thandiwe Newton's DCI Roz Huntley anchors a season critics called an "adrenaline-fueled thrill ride," with a finale the Daily Mail called "phenomenally exciting."
Get the DVDSeries 6 Opener (2021)
Kelly Macdonald's entrance as DCI Joanne Davidson was singled out by Empire as "already shaping up to be one of the most mad and memorable" of the show's rotating guest leads.
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