Thandie Newtown, the new star of hit police corruption drama Line Of Duty, has said she has “breathless admiration” for the show.

The actress will take on the role of Detective Chief Inspector Roz Huntley, who faces investigation by the AC-12 (anti corruption) police unit, in series four of Jed Mercurio’s production.

Thandie Newton (Ian West/PA)
Thandie Newton (Ian West/PA)

Filming starts in Belfast next month.

Thandie said: “I watched the last three seasons of Line of Duty with breathless admiration for its creators, both behind and in front of the camera.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining them now.”

The show sees the English actress engaged in a career-defining case, Operation Trapdoor, under intense pressure to catch the culprit and prove herself to her superiors, according to the BBC.

Following conflict with a colleague, it is not long before AC-12 decides to probe her handling of the investigation.

Actor and director Adrian Dunbar plays Superintendent Ted Hastings.

He said: “I am thrilled and excited about the new series, as we get the team together for another heart-stopping journey with AC-12.

“It’s going to be great seeing old friends and making some new ones.”

The award-winning series moved to BBC One after its huge success since launching on BBC Two in 2012.

This third series was the highest-rating BBC Two drama series since the current measuring system began in 2002, with an average of 5.1 million viewers.