If I've never watched Line of Duty before, do you think I'd be able to pick it up easily with the new series?

[anomletteandaglassofwine]

I've had it on my Netflix list for a while but I haven't had the time/will to commit to 5 seasons. I just saw that a new series is staring tonight on BBC1.

Do you think I'd be able to start there or is there too much of a backstory that I've missed out on?

It’s well worth starting from the beginning- lucky you

No I’d definitely start at series 1.
I’ve just rewatched series 5 and there were definitely references to things that happened in the previous series. It’s well worth it, really excellent actors in all the series.

I would not start with the new series personally, they have all carried on from one another. Also, it's an amazing show and jealous that you get to watch them all! Just record this series and start with the old ones and avoid spoilers if possible.

No you'll have to watch them all.

I’d say too much of a backstory.

I'm jealous OP. I'd love the pleasure of seeing them all afresh.

That's a definite concensus then!

OK so I"ll record this series, avoid all spoilers and start on series 1.
I might try to convince DH to watch it with me, the last series we watched together was Sucession which seems like a lifetime ago.

Thanks everyone!

Definitely watch from the start. It’s fantastic.

No. With most series I'd say yes but i get confused and I've seen them all!

Nope

You could but you would miss certain twists in the plot. To get the most out of it srart from season 1.

There's a great short, snappy and funny recap of every past series by Diane Morgan, online. Although I've seen all of them, I needed this!

I did a couple of series ago, it was watchable and enjoyed but definitely better once I had watched the rest. This and the West Wing are amongst few I wish I could watch a fresh.

I started on season 4 and definitely felt I needed to go back and watch earlier ones. It's worth it!

No you need to watch from the beginning.

Oh my god no, start series 1.

I’m very very jealous, you are in for such a delight.

Enjoy.

Why would you do that??! You'd be missing out on so much good telly! And let's be honest there's not much else to do these days so you're very lucky to have 6 (six!!) seasons of LOD to binge on. Start season 1 tonight. And enjoy

I can speak from experience - I tried to start at season 5, got about 15 minutes in and realised it wasn't going to work. So I went back and started from the beginning. I envy you having it to watch from the start. I enjoyed it so much!

I have just finished a start from the beginning marathon. No idea how we missed this first time round. Very good

On the edge of our seats to get started later tonight.

Too much backstory. Enjoy!

Watch from the start, otherwise it’s very secret squirrel. You won’t know what’s going on.

Oh, I wish I was watching from the beginning, so jealous!

I started at series 5, then went back to the beginning, it was very watchable but a bit confusing.

Defiantly start from series 1. One of the best shows I've ever watched.

I’ll go against the grain here.
For me, it got so popular the plot could have done anything and the fans would have raved.

It should have killed off Arnold in series 4? But bottled it. That’s when I checked out.

It’s backed itself into a corner with the elusive ‘H’ storyline.

We started on season 3 and really enjoyed it, but after going back and watching seasons 1 and 2 it made SO much more sense and there were so many small references and bits of info we'd missed. So if possible I'd start with season 1.