MovieChat Forums > Line of Duty (2012) Discussion > Lindsay Denton really spoilt series 2.

Lindsay Denton really spoilt series 2.

posted 8 years ago by ashleyjharrison
12 replies | jump to latest

Line of Duty has a main character every series, that is investigated by AC-12, in series 2 Lindsay Denton is the primary focus throughout the entire story arc. This probably comes from my dislike of the actress Keeley Hawes portraying Lindsay Denton but I couldn't stand her taking centre stage. I couldn't differentiate between my dislike of the character and the actress, as to why I thought series 2 was a complete washout. Probably it was a little bit from column A and a little bit from column B.

Series 3 was back to series 1 form, until Lindsay reemergenced again, fortunately enough she was only a minor footnote in series 3. Her death was a welcome outcome, meaning she won't be back for series 4, hallelujah for small mercies. I've read online that Thandie Newton is to become the next actress, subject to investigation by AC-12 in the next series. I'm a little bit disappointed at the casting here. I know that some people may notice a pattern that because both are female, I'm against a woman taking the spotlight, therefore it's the reason I don't like the series as a whole. It isn't, I just think they should choose better actresses to star in the programme. DS Kate Fleming, Gill Biggelow, Jackie Laverty are fine examples of characters and actresses which play them, that work.

When a series is based around one particular character, it's essential to get the casting right. In my opinion Lennie James and Daniel Mays were the correct actors to star as the main roles for series 1 and 3 respectively. Series 2, I think they were wide of the mark having Keeley Hawes star as the pivotal character for series 2, which made it a letdown.

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[–] Sluggr-3 8 years ago

And yet many here thought she was neck and neck with Sarah Lancashire for the BAFTA. I guess its just you.

My Chimp DNA seems to have lost its password temporarily. Sluggr-2

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[–] ashleyjharrison 8 years ago

And yet she didn't win, did she and has never won a BAFTA, has she? I guess it's just myself, that can see this.

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[–] lilactime2014 8 years ago

Lidsay Denton made Series 2, I am ambivalent to Keeley Hawes and was about two episodes in before I even realized who it was (having devoured all of Ashes to Ashes) as the make-down was so brilliant.

It's not just you, I am sure others don't like her, but the general consensus ( sometimes misleading) seems to be that the girl done good.

'tler

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[–] ashleyjharrison 8 years ago

I'm sure you have actors and actresses that are 'kryptonite' to your viewing pleasure?

What is a make down?

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[–] Hei_Shibing 8 years ago

The opposite of makeup, as in she was made down to look plain

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[–] ashleyjharrison 8 years ago

Thank you, I probably should have guessed. Usually I hear it referred to as a made or make under. I thought the person might have meant it as though it was to do with making out, I assumed it was the new lingo for kissing or something.

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[–] SanSanSan 8 years ago

Denton was fantastic and Hawes by far the best actor in the show.

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[–] ashleyjharrison 8 years ago

No, Matthew 'Dot' Cottan A.K.A Craig Parkinson was the MVP, through out all of the three series.

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[–] lilactime2014 8 years ago

Starting off, I know this is all opinion, not right or wrong....

It's tough going for an "MVP" to use the awful Americanism. I don't like the character of Dot, he is the worst of all things and to cap it all he is a big dull dud. I can cope with horrible people if they are interesting, like Alice in Luther. But Dot is neither interesting or nice, so he loses in my book. Steve and Kate, hmmm. Never have two leads been more ripe for being written out and a whole new re-boot started. The star over the three series, OK the MVP if you insist, has been Adrian Dunbar, an actor who I have NEVER liked since he arsed up Morse, Cracker and Silent Witness. However he shows such resilience and strength of moral character in this he gets a late reprieve. Honourable mention goes to Bob The Builder, Neil Morrissey, who has... just something more than Dot. Not saying Neil is a better actor than Craig, just the character of Morton is more interesting than Cottan.

That leaves Denton. The MOST interesting specimen in the show. By Miles in my opinion. One can easily forget she is played by Keeley Hawes as it looks nothing like her.

Rather like fans of Luther want an Alice Spin-off, although I don't like many spin-offs, Denton would be the only character worthy of the opportunity. Most of the others are Meh, give or take.

However I was so glad that Jessica Raine got hoofed out quick smart, she is the worst actress to *succeed* in a very long time.

'tler

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[–] ashleyjharrison 8 years ago

It just shows what a broad church of views there are in the world. Without 'Dot', you wouldn't have a thread to knit together the three series.

'The Caddy' took four years to be exposed, usually I hate stringing out a storyline this long. This time though, with the right amount of intrigue, they managed to have a gang buster of a plot that culminated in epic fashion.

To be honest, if 'Dot' had evaded capture, I would have been very interested to see him flee and go to ground. Do you remember 'Dot's' backstory, he was really tormented from a young age. Lindsay wasn't nice either with far less justification.

Many characters people think are primed for a spinoff, wouldn't survive outside the confines of the original show. 'Joey' is a perfect example of it backfiring spectacularly. Characters are like segments that contribute to a overall whole. I know you disagree with this but I think Lindsay is a segment that supplies a plot device for 'Line of Duty's' major story arc.

Ted is a great constant throughout 'Line of Duty', I thought they were going turn him into a villain during series three, I'm relieved they didn't.

Kate and Steve could leave but they are not as dreadful as you think they are in my opinion. To keep a freshness in the show, one of them could be killed in the line of duty as the title suggests.

I liked Georgia, it's a shame she was only in one episode. I was a little troubled about how much violence befell so many women in the last three series.

I don't know why a lot of people think because Keeley Hawes didn't look like Keeley Hawes, that made Lindsay Denton a better and more invaluable character?

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[–] ruttlesRevenge 8 years ago

You lost me when you said you didn't like Keele Hawes.

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[–] trazey34 8 years ago

funny, I had the opposite experience! she MADE the show for me. She was sympathetic and unpleasant at the same time, hard to pull off. I was rooting for her and against her in almost equal measure lol And as a woman of what, 35 - 40? she looked amazing without makeup!

Someone who disagrees with you is NOT a hater 😉

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