The actor unveiled as Line Of Duty’s mysterious “H” has said he was “buzzing with excitement” on finding out his character was the talked-about figure.
During Sunday night’s finale of the BBC One series, DSU Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle, was unmasked as corrupt police officer H.
Boyle, who grew up in Birmingham, said: “I was buzzing with excitement! I never suspected it because I know how Jed (Mercurio) leads people down the garden path with really good red herrings, so I didn’t really pay too much attention to things like Buckells’ golf clubs etc, but clearly I should have done! I’d fully bought into the idea that Buckells was low on competence levels but looking back it all makes sense!”
The finale of the sixth series also left the future of anti-corruption unit AC-12 hanging in the balance.
The much-anticipated episode was watched by an average of 12.8 million people, with a 56.2% share in overnight viewing figures, the BBC has said.
The episode had a peak viewing figure of 13.1 million, according to the corporation.
The sixth series featured returning favourites Martin Compston (Steve Arnott), Adrian Dunbar (Ted Hastings) and Vicky McClure (Kate Fleming), with Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald appearing as DCI Joanne Davidson.
Witness protection
The end of the show Jo Davidson, played by Kelly Macdonald, entered into a witness protection programme.
In the closing scenes, she was seen happily walking out of an idyllic country cottage with a glossy golden retriever and a partner.
These are some of the best reactions on social media…
Reactions
1.
Witness Protection glow-up #LineOfDuty pic.twitter.com/dWUPTdu26p
— Chloe Lunn (@chloelunn) May 2, 2021
2.
So hang on, Witness Protection comes with a beautiful cottage, hot partner and cute pet thrown in? Where do I sign up? #LineOfDuty pic.twitter.com/qqIlttvkRl
— Pip (@pipmadeley) May 2, 2021
3.
the only thing I’ve taken away from the Line of Duty finale is that being in witness protection looks absolutely sensational pic.twitter.com/Pds7CHp9Mv
— Hannah Thompson (@HLThompson93) May 2, 2021
4.
Witness protection or National Trust holiday?#LineofDutyFinale #LineOfDuty #NationalTrust pic.twitter.com/XEetMbTa6c
— AsinellaBianca ? ? ?? #BLM (@HPoplett) May 2, 2021
5.
I am enjoying the fact that Jo Davidson got a detached stone cottage and a instagrammable dog out of Witness Protection, whilst Gill Biggeloe got a windswept council house and a 1996 Ford Fiesta.#lineofduty
— Sarah (@CQEdinburgh) May 2, 2021
6.
Looking at my mortgage on a tiny 1 bed in london and strongly considering a move to witness protection #LineOfDuty pic.twitter.com/BVjnfNovom
— SharonM20 (@m2020_sharon) May 2, 2021
7.
Delighted to learn from Line of Duty that witness protection allows you to live in a insurance advert from the 1990s.
— Matthew Sweet (@DrMatthewSweet) May 3, 2021
8.
If witness protection means I no longer have to work, I get a stone cottage in the countryside AND A GOLDEN RETRIEVER. SIGN ME UP. #LineOfDuty #LineofDutyFinale
— Dean (@Dr_DeanS) May 2, 2021
9.
Witness protection = House swap with Kate Winslet #LineOfDuty pic.twitter.com/FLkAuGJYDp
— Chris Czeks (@czeksyboy) May 3, 2021
10.
A tale of two witness protection schemes. Gill Biggeloe must be fuming. #LineOfDuty pic.twitter.com/X0qwUgYlJb
— The Church Mouse (@thechurchmouse) May 3, 2021
11.
When you get witness protection and win the Omaze Cotswolds raffle. ? https://t.co/YwHai1BjCs
— herichards (@hellizzie) May 3, 2021
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