Where is Line of Duty Filmed: The Top Secret Background of the Hit Series

Line of Duty is a hit BBC series that tells the story of AC-12, an anti-corruption unit working to prevent and catch corruption within the police force themselves.

We have three main characters, DS (later DI) Steve Arnott, DC (later DI) Kate Fleming, and Superintendent Ted Hastings. We follow these main characters throughout various intense and complicated storylines across six seasons, finding more corruption than we ever bargained for along the way.

The World Productions show has been a hit across the UK, with the number of viewers of the show dramatically increasing from 3.8 million for Season One to 15.39 million for Season Six.

The show isn't seen to be set anywhere, in particular. We get some vague clues to a Birmingham location from time to time, with area codes and maps seen on walls, but the exact location of the events within the show is never revealed. However, we do know exactly where the series was filmed.

Season One was indeed filmed in Birmingham but, interestingly, every season since then has been filmed in Northern Ireland.

Let's look together at the specific locations within Northern Ireland that made up the wonderful world of Line of Duty.

The Invest NI Building, Belfast City Centre

The Invest Northern Ireland Building, on Bedford Street in Belfast City Centre, was used to depict the most important building in Line of Duty: the AC-12's office.

We see this spot used in the shots of the exterior scenes of AC-12's office, in the scenes we see before our favourite characters go in to do any intense interrogation. You will recognise the balconies, stairways and foyer area of this building easily if you are a Line of Duty fan, as the location is so integral to the show and the scenes within.

Belfast Central Library, Royal Avenue

Belfast's main library is used in Line of Duty to depict the Police Headquarters, where the top bosses work and where we, therefore, often see some tough moments throughout the series with Superintendent Ted Hastings pleading, arguing, disagreeing, and anything in between, with the head honchos of the police force.

The Royal Mail Building, Tomb Street

The Royal Mail building in Belfast was used in the series for one very famous scene in particular: the shoot-out between DS Steve Arnott and undercover rogue policeman John Corbett in Season Five. This intense and important scene in Line of Duty was filmed beside the Royal Mail building on Tomb Street.

Tates Avenue, North Belfast

Speaking of shoot-outs (we couldn't forget them, not with how much they take place within our favourite series), the team behind Line of Duty filmed another infamous shoot-out with DS Steve Arnott under the bridge at Tates Avenue, a residential spot in South Belfast. Belfast residents or fans of the city will be able to spot another landmark in this Season 3 scene: Windsor Park, the home football stadium of Northern Ireland.

BT Tower, Belfast City Centre

We've seen before in our list that the Invest NI Building is used for the exterior shots of AC-12 Headquarters in the show, but the production team of Line of Duty filmed interior shots of the HQ building in another spot, the BT Tower in Belfast City Centre.

This BT building is used for the inside office shots and interrogation shots that we see in the series, and keen watchers will be able to see some BT signs within the building from time to time.

Corpus Christi College

While we are on the topic of police headquarters, another one of the filming locations used within Line of Duty is this now-vacant school in West Belfast. This is where we see Hillside Lane Police Station scenes, where Joanne Davidson works.

The Subway from the Albert Clock at Queen's Square to High Street

Line of Duty filmed in many locations across Northern Ireland, but there are a couple that seem to stand out to every viewer who watches the show, usually for how frequently we see them and for how dramatic the action that takes place in them is.

DS Steve Arnott and DI Kate Fleming love to meet up for a private chat, away from the listening ears of police headquarters, police forces, and their anti-corruption squad. They do this very frequently in an underground, graffiti-lorn subway.

This subway is, in reality, one that runs from Belfast's Albert Clock across to High Street. It is a popular underpass that gets people from the waterfront of the city into the immediate city centre.

In any Line of Duty season you watch, you will spot Kate and Steve in an underpass and, usually, this is the one where it all happens.

St Anne's Cathedral

St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast's central Cathedral Quarter area has been spotted by eagle-eyed fans in a couple of seasons of Line of Duty. It is used for the exterior scenes of a funeral in Season Two, and we regularly see some general outside scenes in the streets of the Cathedral Quarter.

For secret filming locations fans, there is a restaurant within Cathedral Quarter: Buba, a small, intimate restaurant that serves Mediterranean food. This is where we see DI Kate Fleming and Kelly Macdonald (playing Joanne Davidson in the sixth season) meet up for an after-work drink.

Snax 'N The City, Franklin Street

Speaking of food and drinks in the city, we also see one of our own favourite city spots used in the series: Snax 'N The City.

This food spot is popular with city office workers and the rest on Franklin Street, near Belfast City Hall. We see this used in the World Productions' filming process when DS Arnott meets an old colleague to discuss an upcoming court case.

Cavehill Road

Fans of Season Six will remember the exciting drama that takes place on Cavehill Road. This is where we see Davidson intercept a robbery based on instinct at the time. What it turns out to be later down the line is a different story, but I will let you watch the season for yourself with no spoilers!

And there you have it, that is our complete list of Line of Duty filming locations.

Now the next time someone asks, 'Where is Line of Duty filmed?' You will know exactly what to say.