When Vicky McClure stepped onto the set of Trigger Point season four last year, she didn’t just sign on for another job—she signed off on a legacy. The Nottingham-born actress, whose career began with Shane Meadows’ raw 2006 film This is England, has become British television’s quiet powerhouse, delivering performances that stick in your ribs. Now, with Trigger Point season three having premiered on ITV on November 9, 2025, and season four already wrapped, fans are buzzing not just about the show’s escalating tension—but about what it means for her other iconic role: Detective Superintendent Kate Fleming in Line of Duty.
Trigger Point: Bomb Disposal and a Burning Need for Revenge
In Trigger Point season three, McClure’s character, Lana Washington, a former military explosives officer turned Metropolitan Police bomb disposal expert, faces her most personal threat yet. A chilling plot emerges—one fueled by revenge, not ideology. The Bomb Disposal Squad and Police Counter Terrorism Unit scramble to stop a series of coordinated attacks across London, each bomb more sophisticated than the last. According to Cosmopolitan UK, the season’s central threat is tied to a disgruntled ex-military operative with ties to a past operation gone wrong. The stakes? Not just lives—but the soul of the unit itself.The supporting cast—Kerry Godliman, Nabil Elouahabi, Eric Shango, and Natalie Simpson—bring layered humanity to a high-octane procedural. It’s not just about defusing bombs; it’s about defusing trauma. And McClure? She doesn’t act it. She breathes it.
"I feel like we went into season four going, 'Let's up it again,'" McClure told Red Online on November 21, 2025. "You kind of have to. You want to keep people invested in the show, and we want to keep testing and bettering ourselves." The fact that season four was already filmed before season three even aired speaks volumes. This isn’t a show chasing trends—it’s one setting them.
Line of Duty’s Return: The Quiet Triumph of a National Obsession
While Trigger Point is rising, so is the legend of Line of Duty. On November 21, 2025, Radio Times confirmed what fans had whispered for years: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar are returning for Line of Duty season seven on the BBC.McClure, asked about the news during her Red Online interview, smiled. "I’ve got no news," she said. "But it’s just a massive compliment, you know. It’s a huge compliment for me, Martin, Adrian, Jed—everyone involved. We’re just thrilled that everybody’s still so keen for the show to return. No news though!"
That response? Classic McClure. No hype. No spin. Just quiet pride. And maybe a little relief. Because after six seasons of twisted interrogations, moral gray zones, and that infamous "AC-12" theme, Line of Duty didn’t just survive—it became a cultural event. Season seven isn’t a comeback. It’s a coronation.
Beyond the Bombs: McClure’s Other Can’t-Miss Dramas
McClure’s brilliance isn’t confined to police stations and bomb sites. In Without Sin, she plays Stella, a mother shattered by the murder of her 14-year-old daughter. She becomes a nighttime Uber driver, moving through London’s shadows, haunted by silence and guilt. It’s a performance that doesn’t shout—it aches. And it’s available now on ITV.Then there’s This is England—the 2006 film that launched her. In it, she played the grounded, quietly fierce Shannon, a teen navigating the wreckage of Thatcher’s Britain. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t loud. But it was real. And it’s why audiences trust her now.
What’s Next for British Drama?
While McClure’s work dominates headlines, the UK’s drama landscape is thriving. Wild Cherry, a six-part BBC series from Mood creator Nicôle Lecky, premieres November 15, 2025. Maud, starring Glenn Close as a woman fighting to escape caregiving duties, airs on Channel 4. And The Blame, starring Michelle Keegan, promises corruption in a quiet English town—perfect for fans of Trigger Point’s slow-burn tension.Meanwhile, ITV continues its winning streak. Trigger Point holds a 6.7/10 rating on IMDb from over 10,000 users, and its popularity score of 148 confirms it’s not just critics who are hooked. The show’s blend of procedural rigor and emotional weight has earned comparisons to Line of Duty—a rare honor.
Why This Matters
McClure’s career isn’t just about roles. It’s about representation. She plays women who are broken, brilliant, and unapologetically complex. No sidekicks. No love interests. Just people doing impossible things under unbearable pressure. And in an era where TV often feels like a factory line of clones, her work feels like a hand-written letter in a sea of spam.When she says she wants to "go out with a bang, literally," it’s not bravado. It’s a promise. A promise that when Trigger Point ends, it won’t fade—it will detonate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trigger Point season 4 confirmed, and when will it air?
Yes, season four of Trigger Point has already completed production as of November 2025, according to Vicky McClure’s interview with Red Online. While an official air date hasn’t been announced, it’s expected to premiere on ITV in late 2026, following the typical 12–18 month gap between seasons.
Will Vicky McClure be in both Trigger Point season 4 and Line of Duty season 7?
Yes. McClure is confirmed to reprise her role as Lana Washington in Trigger Point season four and will return as Detective Superintendent Kate Fleming in Line of Duty season seven on the BBC. This makes her one of the few actors to lead two major UK crime dramas simultaneously.
Where can I stream Trigger Point seasons 1 and 2?
Seasons one and two of Trigger Point are available to stream on ITVX in the UK. Internationally, they can be found on BritBox in the U.S. and Canada, and on Apple TV+ in select regions. The show’s IMDb rating of 6.7/10 reflects strong audience loyalty despite mixed critical reviews.
Who created Trigger Point, and how is it connected to Line of Duty?
Daniel Brierley created Trigger Point, while Jed Mercurio—the creator of Line of Duty—serves as executive producer. This shared creative DNA explains the similar tone: tense, procedural, and psychologically rich. Both shows rely on slow-burn storytelling and moral ambiguity.
What other dramas is Vicky McClure known for besides Trigger Point and Line of Duty?
McClure’s breakout role was as Shannon in Shane Meadows’ 2006 film This is England. She also starred in the ITV drama Without Sin (2022), playing a grieving mother who becomes a nighttime Uber driver. Her performance in Line of Duty (2012–2021) earned her a BAFTA nomination. She’s also appeared in The Shadow Line and Rebellion, establishing her as a go-to for emotionally intense roles.
Why is Trigger Point being compared to Line of Duty?
Critics and fans alike draw parallels because both shows feature high-stakes police units, morally ambiguous characters, and a documentary-style realism. Trigger Point’s bomb disposal unit operates under the same pressure-cooker tension as Line of Duty’s AC-12. Both are produced by Jed Mercurio’s team, share similar cinematography, and avoid melodrama in favor of quiet dread. That’s why Good Housekeeping called it "up there with Line of Duty."
