Line of Duty’s Martin Compston teases series six storylines and says he can’t watch early episodes

He started out playing DS Steve Arnott, a very fresh-faced new recruit to police anti-corruption unit AC-12, almost a decade ago.

And, Martin Compston, 36, teased storylines for the upcoming sixth series of Line of Duty, which saw filming halted in March because of Covid-19, as he insisted that ‘the scripts are so good!’

Appearing on Monday’s instalment of The One Show, the actor admitted that although season one is being the rerun on BBC One at the moment, he can’t bring himself to re-watch early episodes. 

Tease! Martin Compston, 36, teased storylines for the upcoming sixth series of Line of Duty, which saw filming halted in March due to Covid-19, as he insisted that ‘the scripts are so good!’

Asked if it’s possible for series six to wrap filming before Christmas, Martin admitted: ‘Well, I’m in dire need of a haircut and I’ve also got a few lockdown pounds I need to lose before we get back.

‘We’ve got a definite date that we’re working towards but there’s no point announcing it because the situation’s so fluid, and it can change daily, so hopefully we can get it done before Xmas.

Discussing necessary alterations in order to keep the film studio coronavirus-safe, he explained: ‘I think there will be changes.

‘I mean there’s going to massive changes off camera just because of the protocols and the social distancing, how many people can be on set, no congregating, people off-camera wearing masks. It’s going to be a completely different feel.

Nope! Appearing on The One Show, the actor admitted that although season one is being the rerun on BBC One at the moment, he can't bring himself to re-watch early episodes

Nope! Appearing on The One Show, the actor admitted that although season one is being the rerun on BBC One at the moment, he can’t bring himself to re-watch early episodes

Eager: Line of Duty star Martin Compston said he is desperate to return to the show so he can get a much-needed haircut

Coronavirus impact: ‘In terms of the changes… we really wouldn’t want to compromise the scripts, the scripts are so good’ insisted Martin

‘In terms of the changes… we really wouldn’t want to compromise the scripts, the scripts are so good, and people are so loyal to the show, there would be no point coming back if we’re going to compromise quality.’

The show’s writers are notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to storylines, and so when quizzed about whether there is, as rumoured, a ‘massive bombshell’ at the end of episode four, Martin teased: ‘Well there’s a few before that as well…

‘But just because I don’t have script five, there’s a big, big question at the end of [episode] four.’ 

When asked, Martin confessed that he’s not watched any of the Line Of Duty re-runs which are currently being aired on BBC at the moment.

Honest: The actor, 36, told the One Show on Monday he also wants to shed some lockdown weight before taking to the role again

Exciting! Quizzed about whether there is, as rumoured, a ‘massive bombshell’ at the end of episode four, Martin teased: ‘Well there’s a few before that as well…

The fear: The actor confessed 'it's hard watching yourself back, and for me it's the fear...' as he admitted he couldn't bring himself to re-watch early episodes

The fear: The actor confessed ‘it’s hard watching yourself back, and for me it’s the fear…’ as he admitted he couldn’t bring himself to re-watch early episodes

He revealed: ‘Well no, because I have a fear of those woolly cardigans that Jed put me in for the first series. No, it’s hard watching yourself back, and for me it’s the fear…

‘Because there was a big fear of going into such a high profile job, and doing a different accent and being up against these wonderful actors, so it would be hard to watch it back.

‘But I have some great memories of it, I’ve never laughed so much on a job as I did on series one.

‘We were a very close bunch very quickly and had some great nights out, but in terms of filming it’s being about ten years now so it’s been a long time.’  

Earlier this month Line of Duty showrunner Jed Mercurio revealed bosses are hoping that series six will be wrapped by the end of this year.

The acclaimed writer revealed that BBC bosses are currently working to get production back up and running again, with the hope that a sixth series could air in 2021.

Filming for Line of Duty was suspended back in March at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with fans eagerly awaiting the next series as they hope to finally learn the identity of the elusive ‘H.’  

Speaking in the Q and A as reported by The Sun, Jed said: ‘There are a few things to figure out, but we’re working towards a day… I know a date has been talked about in the press, but as usual they got it wrong.’ 

‘We are working towards a day and if we can get over all the hurdles we will be back filming.

‘We’d love to be on air next year, so we really have to make sure we complete our filming before Christmas.’

The police drama – which follows an anti-corruption unit in the police force – premiered on BBC Two in 2012, but moved to BBC One in 2017 as ratings soared.

Season six of the BBC drama was four weeks into filming when it was grounded to a halt mid-production due to COVID-19, with Jed hoping it could be completed ‘by the end of the calendar year’ 

Back on soon? Line of Duty showrunner Jed Mercurio has revealed bosses are hoping that series six will be wrapped by the end of this year

Back on soon? Line of Duty showrunner Jed Mercurio has revealed bosses are hoping that series six will be wrapped by the end of this year

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