Jed Mercurio
Anti-corruption predecessor Between the Lines narrowly missed out on our selection but it paved the way for writer Jed Mercurio’s bent copper blockbuster. This addictive thriller followed the waistcoat-clad work of professional standards unit AC-12 as they pursued a different dodgy officer each series – some of them scarily close to home. Across six fiendishly plotted series, it built into a serpentine conspiracy thriller about ties between law enforcement and organised crime, becoming known for its armed ambushes and extended interrogation scenes. It grew from a cult hit on BBC Two to a ratings record-breaker on BBC One. Will it return? Mother of God, we hope so. Read our Line of Duty review