Jed Mercurio changed how we look at the police. Seriously. Before Steve Arnott and Kate Fleming started hunting "bent coppers," most police procedurals were about catching the bad guy in the street. Line of Duty turned the lens inward. It made glass-walled interview rooms feel more dangerous than a dark alley. If you’re late to the party or just itching for a rewatch of that Season 3 finale—arguably the best hour of TV in the last decade—you’re probably scouring the web for line of duty where to watch right now.
It’s complicated. Licensing deals are a mess. One day it’s on Netflix, the next it’s gone. You try to find it on a local streamer and realize they only have seasons one through four. It's frustrating.
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If you are in the United Kingdom, you have it easy. Lucky you. The BBC keeps the entire catalog on BBC iPlayer. It’s free, provided you have a TV license, and the quality is usually top-tier. But for everyone else? It’s a bit of a scavenger hunt.
In the United States, your primary destination is BritBox. This is the specialized streaming service for British television, and they’ve held the rights for a while now. They have all six seasons. If you have an Amazon Prime Video account, you can actually add BritBox as a "channel," which keeps everything in one app. Some seasons occasionally pop up on Hulu or Acorn TV, but BritBox is the only one that feels "permanent" for the show's run.
What about Netflix? This is where people get tripped up. Depending on where you live—say, Canada or parts of Europe—Netflix might have the show. But in the US and UK, it's largely been pulled to drive viewers toward the platform owners' own services.
Why the Platform Matters for the Experience
Streaming quality isn't just about pixels. It's about the "Next Episode" button timing. Line of Duty is built on cliffhangers. If you’re watching on a service that makes you click through three menus to get to the next episode, it kills the momentum. BritBox and iPlayer are pretty seamless.
Then there is the issue of the "missing" episodes. Occasionally, people report that Season 1 feels shorter on certain platforms. It’s not. It’s just that the first series only had five episodes, while the rest moved to a six-episode format (and Season 6 went to seven). Don't panic; you aren't missing a secret chapter unless you’re looking for the Comic Relief specials, which are basically impossible to find outside of YouTube clips.
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The Legal Maze: VPNs and International Rights
Look, we have to talk about VPNs. Everyone does it. If you’re a British expat living in Spain or an American who simply can’t wait for a licensing deal to settle, a Virtual Private Network is the go-to. By switching your server to London, you can theoretically access iPlayer.
Does it work? Usually. Is it "legal" in the strictest sense of Terms of Service? Not really. The streamers are getting smarter at blocking these IPs. If you go this route, NordVPN or ExpressVPN are the names that actually work with BBC's aggressive geoblocking.
Why Does the Licensing Keep Changing?
Money. Obviously.
Initially, Line of Duty was a small show on BBC Two. It wasn't the behemoth it is now. As it moved to BBC One and the ratings exploded—hitting over 12 million viewers for the Season 6 finale—the value of those international rights skyrocketed. Production company World Productions (owned by ITV Studios) negotiates these deals. This is why you’ll see the show move from one streamer to another every couple of years. When a contract expires, the highest bidder wins.
What You Need to Know Before Starting
If you’ve managed to find line of duty where to watch and you’re about to click play, hold on. You need a primer. This isn't Law & Order. You can't just jump in at Season 4 because you like Thandiwe Newton. Well, you can, but you'll be hopelessly lost.
The show is serialized. Characters mentioned in a throwaway line in 2012 suddenly become the focal point of a plot twist in 2021. You need to pay attention to:
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- The Acronyms: AFO, UCO, CHIS, DIR. You’ll learn them. You’ll start using them in daily life. It’s unavoidable.
- The Caddy: This is the overarching mystery of the first few seasons.
- The Letter H: Don't Google this. Seriously. You will spoil years of build-up for yourself.
The brilliance of the writing lies in the "grey." There are very few "good" people in AC-12. Ted Hastings is a moral pillar, sure, but even he has a "wee bit" of a complicated past. Steve Arnott is a workaholic with a questionable dating history. Kate Fleming is... well, Kate is perfect, but she’s also a master of the deep undercover lie.
Is It Still Worth Watching in 2026?
Honestly? Yes. Even though the Season 6 finale was divisive—some people hated the "anti-climax" of who H turned out to be—the journey is still the best thriller writing in modern TV history. It mirrors real-world concerns about police accountability and institutional corruption. It feels urgent.
Buying vs. Streaming: The Permanent Solution
If you’re tired of the "where to watch" dance, there is always the old-school way. Apple TV (iTunes) and Google TV allow you to buy the seasons outright. It’s usually about $15 to $20 per season.
Is it worth it? If you’re a rewatcher, yes. The show is packed with "Easter eggs." Watching Season 1 again after you know the ending of Season 6 is a totally different experience. You see the clues that were hiding in plain sight.
You might also find the DVD box sets in bargain bins. Don't scoff. When the internet goes down or a streaming service decides to delete a show for a tax write-off (looking at you, certain other platforms), physical media is king. Plus, the DVD extras often include interviews with Jed Mercurio that explain the dense police jargon.
Troubleshooting Your Stream
Sometimes you find the show, but the subtitles are wonky or the audio is out of sync. This happens a lot with British shows on American platforms.
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If you are using a TV app and it’s acting up, try the browser version. Often, the desktop players are more stable. Also, if you’re watching on BritBox through Amazon, try the standalone BritBox app. Sometimes the "channels" interface on Prime doesn't get the latest updates or high-bitrate streams.
Quick Checklist for the Frustrated Viewer
- Check BBC iPlayer first (UK only).
- Search BritBox if you are in North America or Australia.
- Check Netflix specifically if you are in Canada or Ireland.
- Avoid "Free" Pirate Sites. They are riddled with malware and the quality is usually 480p at best. You don't want to watch a high-stakes interrogation through a layer of digital fuzz.
The "H" Word and Community Spoilers
One final warning. If you are looking for line of duty where to watch, stay off Twitter (X) or Reddit threads dedicated to the show until you are caught up. The fandom is intense. Because the show relied so heavily on a "Who is it?" mystery, the spoilers are everywhere.
Even the thumbnails on YouTube can ruin it for you. If you search for "Line of Duty Season 3," YouTube might recommend a video titled "WHY [NAME] DIED IN SEASON 3." It’s a minefield.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Binge
Stop scrolling and start watching. Here is how to handle it:
- Start with Season 1, Episode 1. Do not skip. The opening scene sets the tone for everything that follows over the next decade.
- Keep a Note on Your Phone. Seriously. Jot down the names of senior officers. They come back.
- Use Subtitles. Even if you're a native English speaker, the heavy accents (especially the Northern Irish and Scottish ones) and the rapid-fire police codes can be tough to parse.
- Check Availability Monthly. If you’re halfway through and a month ends, check the "Leaving Soon" section of your streamer. Rights usually shift on the 1st of the month.
The hunt for "H" and the battle against corruption is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have with a television. Now that you know exactly where to find it, get your brew ready and prepare for a lot of "fella" and "mate." Just don't expect to get any sleep once the "beeps" start in the interview room.