Gina McKee, Neil Morrissey, Vicky McClure join BBC Two's 'Line of Duty'

Gina McKee and Neil Morrissey are among the stars who have signed up for roles in BBC Two's new drama Line of Duty.

The five-part series has been written by Jed Mercurio, who previously penned shows including Bodies and Strike Back.

The drama will revolve around Tony Gates (The Walking Dead's Lennie James), a popular policeman accused of corruption.

Monarch of the Glen star Martin Compston and BAFTA-winning This Is England '86 actress Vicky McClure will star as the officers investigating crookedness in the force.

McKee and Morrissey will also appear in the drama alongside Adrian Dunbar, Kate Ashfield, Craig Parkinson and Paul Higgins.

"I'm hugely excited by the opportunity to set a drama in the controversial realities of 21st century policing," Mercurio said. "[Line of Duty is] a commentary on the perverse bureaucracy that hamstrings frontline officers, but first and foremost it's a thriller."

Meanwhile, the BBC's controller of drama commissioning Ben Stephenson described the show as "remarkably prescient", adding: "The fine cast will reveal a complex set of characters who will shine a timely spotlight on modern day policing."

Filming for Line of Duty has started in Birmingham and the show is expected to air on BBC Two next year.

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