Brandyce is back: Sunderland actor Laura Elphinstone to appear in series finale of Line of Duty

Laura Elphinstone appeared as Detective Inspector Michelle Brandyce in series five of the long-running police anti-corruption show, with the cop ordered to put in a transfer request by boss Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael after making an error during an inquiry.

Now the Wearsider looks set to make a return, with her character listed among the cast for episode seven in series six, which last night drew in 11 million viewers as the penultimate instalment went out.

She previously appeared as a member of AC-3, a separate anti-corruption team, with the units now being merged under the leadership of Carmichael, played by Anna Maxwell Martin.

Laura has previously appeared in a standout scene when AC-12’s Kate Fleming, played by Vicky McClure, told Brandyce to "stop making a t*t of yourself and p**s off” in one of the show’s most memorable takedowns.

The BBC iPlayer teaser for the show – due to go out on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday, May 2 – says: “With time running out, AC-12 attempt to unmask 'H', the Fourth Man (or Woman) commanding the network of corrupt officers behind the murder of Gail Vella.

"But sinister and powerful forces appear intent on orchestrating a cover-up.”

Laura, who grew up in the Barnes area of the city, has previously appeared in the last series of Game of Thrones, Call The Midwife, Vera and Chernobyl.

Last month, she stared in the first of two ITV’s new police series Grace, appearing again as Detective Sergeant Bella Moy alongside John Simm’s lead character, with its follow up to be screened later this year.

Others listed in the cast for the final Line of Duty series six episode include Terry Boyle, played by Tommy Jessop, the man the organised crime group lined up to take the blame for journalist Gail’s contract-style killing, and the return of Joel Rossport, played by Peter De Jersey, who previously acted as Superintendent Ted Hasting’s legal rep.

Police Sergeant Farida Jatri, played by Anneika Rose, and Steph Corbett, the widow of dead undercover cop played by Amy de Bhrun are also listed, as is Steve Oram as a medical counsellor.

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