Line of Duty stars Vicky McClure and Martin Compston reunite for lockdown comedy short

The Line of Duty stars are joined by DCIs from various other police dramas

Line of Duty stars have reunited over a video call for a comedy short to raise awareness of the charity auction Ask For Masks.

Showrunner Jed Mercurio shared the clip of the three main stars — Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar — in their respective roles of Detective Inspector Kate Fleming, Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott and Superintendent Ted Hastings.

The video begins with Kate watching the new BBC emotional thriller The Nest which Compston starred in.

Steve then logs in from his swimming pool in Vegas — where Compston really lives — where he’s floating on a lido in a waistcoat.

Seeing Steve’s luxurious home, Ted asks: “I hope that virtual background isn't costing me an arm and a leg, son!”

“No, it's fine. What's happening?” Steve asks, throwing a red cup of alcohol off camera.

“That's the problem...nothing's going on!” says Ted — a reference to how the sixth season was put on hold amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“That's why I thought I better check on my best team and see how the investigation against DCI Jo Davidson played by Kelly Macdonald,” he adds, a nod to the latest star to join the show's sixth series.

“She's inside”, says Kate. “Well great! Bring on series seven!” Ted replies.

Later on in the video, Line of Duty stars are joined by DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) of fellow cop show Unforgotten, DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) of Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes and DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) of Midsomer Murders.

After pointing taking turns accusing each other of being a “bent copper”, the six actors appeal to viewers to support Ask For Masks.

The charity auction will raise funds to buy face masks for the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic.