Police thriller hailed as a must-watch for Line of | UK News

An ITV police drama might be your next binge-watch while you wait for the new sequence of Line of Duty. The Australian sequence, titled Critical Incident, has been described as a “high octane thriller” centring on a police officer, and has been featured in ITVX’s hand-picked choice of “unmissable” viewing. The show initially aired in Australia in 2024 and, very like the BBC’s landmark hit, follows an officer who makes a catastrophic mistake, ensuing in an harmless bystander being caught in the crossfire during a pursuit.

The synopsis for the six-part drama on ITVX reads: “When a reckless pursuit leads to tragedy, Senior Constable Zil Ahmed and vulnerable teen Dalia Tun must reckon with the aftermath.” The sequence brings a real sense of authenticity, with author Sarah Bassiuoni and government producer Sheila Jayadev both drawing on their earlier careers as felony attorneys, reviews The Mirror.

Despite having aired in 2024, a second sequence has sadly yet to materialise — though this does imply the whole show will be devoured in a single sitting.

The hard-hitting drama boasts a forged including Akshay Khanna (Red, White and Royal Blue), Zoe Boe (The Tree), Roxie Mohebbi (One Lane Bridge), Hunter Page-Lochard (Cleverman), Jackson Heywood (Home and Away) and Jai Waetford (Neighbours).

Critical Incident also stars Simone Kessell (Yellowjackets), Erik Thomson (Xena Warrior Princess), Zindzi Okenyo (Troppo), Heidi May (Thor: Love and Thunder), Oliver Ackland (The Originals), Josef Ber (Pieces of Her), Gerry Sont (Chances), CJ Bloomfield (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) and Richard Brancatisano (Chasing Life).

While the sequence has provoked combined reactions amongst sure audiences, the programme has obtained appreciable reward general.

One viewer commented: “It started slow but I actually enjoyed it. Good principal cast, well filmed and bingeworthy,” while another famous: “Critical Incident is well done, good story, and all-round good acting. Yes, it could be better, some of the actors are trying too hard, but generally they get the tone right.”

A 3rd added: “I wanted to trash talk this so much, but I found myself binge watching the complete series in one night.

“Quality of digital camera work, manufacturing and casting, attracts you into the characters tales within the story and true to today’s tradition.”

Another reviewer said “[it] is a new crime drama that’ll have you ever hooked immediately”.

However, one disheartened viewer complained: “The premise is great, but the characters are silly and get stupider by the episode. I acquired so bored that I did not care what would occur to any of them which also means that the viewers does not invest in them.”

You can stream Critical Incident on ITVX now.