Line of Duty: Series 2

This second wave of episodes in the gritty BBC series focuses on the AC-12 police unit, which is tasked with the investigation of corrupt officers. The main narrative centers on Detective Inspector Lindsay Denton (Keeley Hawes, here joining the series), the only officer to emerge unscathed from an ambush on a police convoy. Under the direction of Police Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), the AC-12 team attempts to piece together the mystery behind the attack, only to discover a wide web of corruption. Line of Duty boasts mature and sophisticated police procedural scripts that constantly keep viewers guessing. In addition, the ensemble is unusually strong, with Hawes a standout as an inspector who seems chronically incapable of asserting her innocence. One minor distraction is a mid-season switch, as Robert Lindsay is abruptly replaced by a much younger Mark Bonnar in the role of a deputy chief constable, but this is only a small speed bump in an otherwise distinguished drama. Compiling all six episodes from the 2014 second season, DVD extras include deleted and extended scenes, and cast and crew interviews. Highly recommended. (P. Hall)