Meet DCI Marcus Thurwell, James Nesbitt’s new character in Line of Duty
Is this the beginning of a Line of Duty/Bloodlands crossover? Well, not quite (contains spoilers)
James Nesbitt in Bloodlands
Credit: BBC
The biggest Line of Duty leak this past week came not from one of its corrupt police officers, but from the channel itself. A mistake by staff at BBC Maestro, a service that offers online screenwriting courses, apparently revealed a star name who would be joining the series in episode five. To quote Ted Hastings: mother of god!
The Sun offered up possible suspects ahead of last night’s broadcast, including two Scotsmen, Richard Madden and Robert Carlyle, who might fit with Kelly Macdonald’s Jo Davidson and her mysterious family connection – teased at the climax of episode four. But in the end it was an Irish actor who joined Line of Duty’s now bafflingly long list of criminal coppers: James Nesbitt.
Everything you need to know about James Nesbitt ok.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ok.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Line of Duty - why are there so many Northern Irish cops on TV?
Mother of God! Hastings isn’t the only copper hailing from Northern Ireland on our screens in recent years
Neil ShawNetwork Content Editor
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LIE OF DUTY
Line Of Duty star James Nesbitt admits he lied about being angry at Jed Mercurio to keep role secret
Exclusive
Apr 18 2021, 17:45 ET
HIT police drama Line Of Duty’s latest twist has seen James Nesbitt join the series as dodgy detective Marcus Thurwell.
His debut in last night’s episode was all the more surprising for fans as the Northern Irish actor had previously lied about his anger at being snubbed for the show.
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James Nesbitt has joined Line of Duty as dodgy detective Marcus Thurwell
While promoting another police thriller also shot in Belfast, James told reporters: “Even though Line Of Duty had been shot here for years I was never considered for it, which has always slightly galled me.”