Vicky McClure says there's still "a long way to go" before filming is complete on Line of Duty's sixth series.

Line of Duty cast

Line of Duty cast

The BBC show was in the process of shooting its next season, but the cast and crew were forced to put things on hold owing to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Speaking on 'BBC Breakfast', Vicky said: "We were filming, we were about six weeks into the shoot of 16 weeks, so we've got a long way to go yet."

Vicky, 36, insists production staff took all the "necessary precautions", but it became impossible to carry on in light of the introduction of social-distancing measures.

She added: "The production were brilliant - while we were filming and it was starting to unfold, we were all doing the necessary precautions and being well looked after, and then it just came to a halt. It had to, as did most things."

Last month, a BBC spokesperson confirmed they'd taken the decision to temporarily halt filming on 'Line of Duty' and 'Peaky Blinders'.

They said: "In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, the producers Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions of 'Peaky Blinders' series six have postponed filming, and World Productions on 'Line of Duty' series six have suspended filming, both in consultation with and supported by the BBC. "We will continue to review all productions on a case-by-case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organization and Public Health England."

Written by Jed Mercurio, the police procedural drama was one of the most popular shows on the BBC in 2019 with 13.7 million people watching the series five finale.