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Line of Duty director launches new supernatural thriller The Rig – here’s everything we know so far

THE director behind Line of Duty is behind the first Amazon Original series ever to film in Scotland.

John Strickland will helm the six-part epic thriller series The Rig which will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime.

The director behind Line of Duty's new series is set on a Scottish oil rig and will premiere on Amazon Prime
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The director behind Line of Duty's new series is set on a Scottish oil rig and will premiere on Amazon PrimeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The supernatural drama will follow the crew of the Kishorn Bravo oil rig, stationed off the Scottish coast in the dangerous waters of the North Sea.

But when the crew are due to return to the mainland, a mysterious and all-enveloping fog rolls through and they find themselves cut off from all communication with the shore and the outside world.

As they try to figure out what’s happening, bonds are broken, allegiances formed and generational fault lines exposed.

Viewers will see the crew of the Bravo driven to the limits of both their loyalties and their endurance, into a confrontation with forces beyond their imagination.

John Strickland directed BBC hits Line of Duty and Bodyguard
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John Strickland directed BBC hits Line of Duty and BodyguardCredit: BBC
Line of Duty is one of the most successful dramas on the BBC
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Line of Duty is one of the most successful dramas on the BBCCredit: PA:Press Association

Strickland (Line of Duty, Bodyguard) will direct and executive produce the drama, which will be the first Amazon Original Series filmed exclusively in Scotland.

The series will be shot on a real oil rig and at FirstStage Studios, the new Scottish film and TV studio space in Edinburgh.

Production will start on the series next year.

“The Rig is a brilliant story, expertly told, in the most dramatic of settings” said Georgia Brown, director of European Amazon Originals for Prime Video. 

The cast is in Belfast filming season six of the cop drama
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The cast is in Belfast filming season six of the cop dramaCredit: BBC

“It asks searching questions about nature and the environment, about what it takes to survive and to be human, which feels very pertinent to the world we are living in now. We’re delighted to add this to our growing roster of UK made Amazon Original shows, all available to stream at no extra cost for Prime members around the world.”

Line of Duty is currently filming its sixth season in Belfast after the coronavirus pandemic put a pause on production.

Production on season six of Line of Duty was put on hold due to the coronavirus lockdown
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Production on season six of Line of Duty was put on hold due to the coronavirus lockdownCredit: BBC

While fans are looking forward to the return of the popular BBC series, they are also livid the first five seasons were pulled from Netflix without explanation.

Fans have been bingeing the first lot of the crime drama in preparation of the sixth season but will have to get their skates on to finish the lot as they’re set to go on Saturday, October 31.

However, all is not lost as Line of Duty season one to five are still available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Creator Jed Mercurio revealed plans for season six filming to finish “before Christmas” in order to guarantee a 2021 release.

Line of Duty boss Jed Mercurio teases BBC show's sixth series
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