Line Of Duty: High-speed car chase results in white van overturning

Line Of Duty filming was put on hold following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Yet shooting for the popular BBC police drama is now back in full swing, with a high speed car chase filmed in Belfast this week.

The chase came to a dramatic end when a white van which was being hunted by gunman in balaclavas was overturned after being boxed in, while new cast member Shalom Brune-Franklin was seen for the first time on set.

The van was pictured coming to a skidding halt after colliding with a red Volkswagen Golf GTD in the city centre of the Northern Irish capital.

The vehicle, which had been escorted by police, was soon surrounded by armed officers wearing full protection gear as they approached the van.

Among the group was newcomer Shalom, who could be seen wearing a maroon jacket, jeans and a police protection vest.

Shalom – whose character is yet to be revealed – dashed towards the vehicle after it crashed to the ground during the chase. 

Elsewhere, two gunmen who were dressed in black leather and covered with balaclavas, were seen getting out of a Range Rover nearby.

Strict guidelines appeared to be in place on set, as members of the crew sported face masks to stay protected while filming the series. 

 

Production of the eagerly anticipated sixth season of the hugely popular series was halted by the Covid lockdown shortly after filming began earlier this year. 

The series stars Adrian Dunbar, Martin Compston and Vicky McClure. The show was created and written by Jed Mercurio and is centred on the AC-12 Anti-Corruption Unit led by Supt Ted Hastings [Adrian Dunbar].

Earlier this week Martin marked a decade since he landed the role of DS Steve Arnott with a fun behind the scenes snap on Thursday.

The actor shared the image alongside co-stars Vicky and Adrian with the caption: ’10 years later #lineofduty6′ as he prepared to film another of the show’s iconic interrogation scenes.

Line Of Duty’s first series aired on BBC Two in March 2012, although it’s likely Martin would have landed the role many months earlier.

His snap proved the cast have barely changed despite years battling ‘bent coppers’ in the fictional AC-12. 

Martin shared the snap after filming for series six resumed in early September in Belfast, with showrunner Jed Mercurio admitting he’s still hopeful the show will return to screens in 2021.

In a recent photo from the set, Martin posed as his character DS Steve Arnott while sitting behind a glass wall, which appeared to be in a prison. 

Martin also posted the picture to his own Instagram where he captioned it with: ‘Officially back in business #waistcoatup #lineofduty6.’  

Talking about the highly-anticipated return to filming, creator Jed said: ‘We know Line of Duty fans are desperate for Series 6 and we hope we can get it on air as soon as possible. Thanks so much for your patience in these difficult times.’ 

Series regulars, Martin, Vicky (DI Kate Fleming) and Adrian (Superintendent Ted Hastings), also issued statements about their return to filming.

Martin, 36, said: ‘It’s been a long few months and it will be a different way of working from when we stopped, but I’m delighted to be back on the case with the Line of Duty team!’ 

Vicky, 37, added: ‘Been sitting on these incredible scripts for some time now, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to it and seeing the Line of Duty family.’ 

While Adrian, 62, commented: ‘Even with the imposition of Covid restrictions I can’t hide my excitement at getting the team back together. So many people wondering…what happens next?’

Line Of Duty insisted that they have worked with health and safety consultants in accordance to government guidelines to ensure the safety of cast and crew.

Executive Producer for World Productions, Simon Heath, said: ‘It’s been almost six months since we stopped shooting.

‘But following our implementation of all the industry Covid protocols, we’re delighted to be able to resume filming series six safely.’