Adrian Dunbar claims none of the ‘Line of Duty’ cast know if they’re going to be killed off.
The 60-year-old actor – who can again be seen as Superintendent Ted Hastings when the police corruption drama returns to BBC One later this month – insisted he and his co-stars have no idea when they sign up for a new series whether they will make it through the final episode.
He said: "People often think we must know in advance – from Jed or our agents – how many episodes we’ve been booked for in the next series. But you don’t really know."
And even if the stars make it through the first few episodes, they only get more worried as it could mean the scene is being set for an explosive exit.
Referring to Jason Watkins, whose character, Forensic Coordinator Tim Ifield, was killed off after the first episode of season four, Adrian told Radio Times magazine: "You open the first script not knowing if it’s going to be ‘Jason Watkins Time’!
"And, I’ll tell you, the more you have to do in early episodes, the more fearful you are that it’s building up to you going out with a bang."
However, his co-star, Vicky McClure, who plays DS Kate Fleming, is hopeful showrunner Jed Mercurio would give them some notice if he planned to kill off their characters.
She said: "I’m pretty sure now Jed would have a word with us in advance prior to that happening.
"I don’t think he’d let us find out just by the number of scripts we’d been sent.
"But, yes, we’re all aware that there could be a moment where that would happen. But I think he’d warn us."
Martin Compston (DS Steve Arnott) is hoping neither he nor Adrian or Vicky exit the show this year as they are all "ridiculously close".
He said: "We’re ridiculously close. The guys were at my wedding and I’ll be at Vicky’s next year."
Their comments come after it was confirmed on Monday (18.03.19) that the show will return on March 31.
Adrian Dunbar: Line of Duty stars all fear being killed off
