BBC director-general Lord Hall joked he was as in the dark as everyone else about the identity of mystery villain “H” on Line Of Duty, as he announced the series would return on March 31.
The fourth series of the BBC crime drama left many questions unanswered when it came to an end in 2017, including the identity of a character known only as “H”.
But speaking at the launch of the fifth season, Lord Hall said he was not party to the show’s secrets.
The fans have already called it. Confirming for the record, #LineOfDuty Series 5 starts on Sunday 31st March on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.@Vicky_McClure @martin_compston @StephenGraham73 @Jed_Mercurio @RochendaSandall pic.twitter.com/oNpYNfQ0nU
— BBC One (@BBCOne) March 18, 2019
Welcoming the programme’s creator Jed Mercurio and stars Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston, he said: “It’s been two years too long as far as all of us are concerned.
“Like many of you I’ve spent much of that time trying to figure out who is “H” and sadly I don’t get any closer to the answer, but that’s testament to the genius of Jed.
“I so admire Jed Mercurio for what you create. Everything starts with the writer and you entertain your audience like no-one else, you thrill, you surprise and every scene is so beautifully constructed.
“What Jed creates is television that everybody talks about. Everyone I know has a theory about whether you can trust Ted Hastings or what might be in store for AC-12.”
Lord Hall continued: “The weird thing is as I go around the place and talk about Line Of Duty, people think I might know some of the answers and nothing could be further from the truth.
“I was lucky enough to spend a bit of time with the team in Belfast. I took one look at Vicky and Martin and figured they wouldn’t give anything away. They wouldn’t tell me who “H” was.
“I hoped that Adrian might be the weak link but even after a long and very enjoyable dinner and even after a glass of Bushmills later in the evening he wouldn’t spill the beans, so I promise I know no more than any of you.”
Lord Hall then announced that the show would finally be back on screens at the end of the month.
“I can’t wait,” he said.
Line Of Duty returns at 9pm on BBC One on Sunday March 31.