Line Of Duty To Air On BBC2

Birmingham plays a central role in BBC2’s gripping new thriller about police corruption which comes to television screens tonight (June 26).
Line of Duty follows a fictional police anti-corruption unit, AC-12, as it investigates an officer suspected of manipulating his unit’s crime figures to further his career.
It was written and produced by Jed Mercurio (Cardiac Arrest, Bodies), and co-financed by the Advantage Media Production Fund (AMPF) – now administered by the national agency Creative England – with the BBC and Content.
The five-part drama features a stellar cast includes BAFTA-winning Vicky McClure, recently seen in BBC1’s True Love, Lennie James, Martin Compston and Neil Morrissey.
The production boasts strong connections to the West Midlands. It was shot entirely on location in Birmingham, using a disused bank in the city centre as its production office and studio. Its Executive Producer, Simon Heath, hails from the city and Jed Mercurio is from Staffordshire.
AMPF funded the project as part of its continuing strategy of attracting high-profile original British drama production to the West Midlands.
Line of Duty joins an impressive line-up of drama from the region, which includes Hustle, Toast and most recently Dancing on the Edge, all of which have made substantial use of Birmingham as a filming location.
Simon Heath said: “As a son of Birmingham, it has always been my ambition to take a production back to my hometown. Nostalgia aside, Birmingham provided us with a brilliant range of locations within a short distance, enthusiastic crews and great help from Screen West Midlands and Film Birmingham in getting Line of Duty financed and made. I'm eager to make more drama in the region.”
Creative England’s AMPF Fund Manager, Dan Lawson, said: "With an outstanding cast and a gripping storyline, Jed has created a stunning contemporary thriller that makes incredible use of Birmingham's diverse locations and demonstrates that the English regions make the perfect home for major drama production. We were thrilled to help bring the show to Birmingham, and continue to work hard to attract other major productions to the region, with the resultant investment, jobs and profile they bring."
www.creativeengland.co.uk