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Anna Maxwell Martin explains why she still hasn’t seen divisive Line of Duty series 6 finale as she admits friends had ‘mixed’ reaction

Anna Maxwell Martin still hasn't watched Line of Duty finale
Anna Maxwell Martin can’t give a verdict on the Line of Duty finale (Picture:PA/BBC)

Line of Duty star Anna Maxwell Martin still hasn’t seen the divisive series six finale after starring as the chilling Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael.

Fans of the Jed Mercurio thriller were torn when dopey Ian Buckells was unveiled as H, who viewers believed was the elusive puppet master pulling the strings of the OCG (Organised Crime Group).

No such thing. He was just the messenger.

For some it was a genius metaphor for incompetence being mistaken for corruption, comparing Buckells to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Anna, however, can’t share her verdict because she hasn’t actually seen the episode yet, even though it broke 21st Century records as the most watched TV drama since a 1999 episode of a Touch of Frost.

‘I haven’t seen it,’ she told Grazia. ‘My friends were quite mixed, some of them loved the ending because they felt it was open for new stuff.

Tuesday, 1 June 2021, for immediate release If used, the cover of Grazia must appear at 4.5cm deep along with a plug for the latest issue of Grazia, on sale now. Online coverage should link back to https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/anna-maxwell-martin. Two images may be used, one use only. Photographer?s Credit: Zoe McConnell Anna Maxwell Martin has been everywhere this year ? 12.8 million watched the LOD series six finale and Motherland (which she leads as frantic, hard-to-love Julia) is currently airing as one of the biggest hits on BBC Two, while its earlier seasons top Netflix charts. She?s filming an ITV thriller, Hollington Drive, as we speak and will be in West End show Constellations with Chris O?Dowd from August. She?s already won two BAFTAs during her 20-year career, but is it too much to say this is her best year ever? ?I think it?d be obtuse to say there isn?t a big thing around Line Of Duty,? she says. ?There?s a huge zeitgeisty moment and I just happen to be in it.? Anna says she can go about life with her two daughters (she and their father, director Roger Michell, are separated) mostly unbothered. ?I don?t really get recognised a lot, maybe a bit more recently, but that?s probably because Line Of Duty?s watched by 10 billion people,? she says. ?I think there must be something about my face that?s quite rubbery and it morphs into the background. And also, they help you out a lot, hair and make-up ? maybe I look so haggy and baggy in real life that people just can?t tell.?
read Anna’s full interview in this week’s Grazia magazine (Picture: Grazia)

‘I liked that it was Nigel [Boyle, who played Buckells], I’ve always thought he’s hilarious. I’ve been away filming and my TV in my hotel doesn’t work.

‘I’ve still not talked to reception. I’m like, “Oh I feel bad, they’re so nice!”’

As for reprise her role as the ice queen of the police force, ‘I wouldn’t know and I would never be told,’ she said.

‘Until I was in the car and popped on the plane to Belfast [where it’s filmed], I wouldn’t know… I’m not in with the in-crowd there and I’m not sure the in-crowd even knows.’

While there is still no official confirmation of a series seven, BBC’s chief content officer Charlotte Moore said: ‘Addictive event television, Line Of Duty has kept the nation guessing for the last seven weeks, so it’s no surprise that last night’s jaw-dropping finale set a ratings record.

‘Jed Mercurio is a master of his craft, and I would like to congratulate him and the entire cast and crew for delivering such an incredible drama series. I’m looking forward to having a conversation with the team about where we go next and what the future of the series might be.’

Line of Duty is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Read Anna’s full interview in this week’s Grazia magazine available now.