Fans react to devastating cliffhanger in Trigger Point episode one

This article contains spoilers for Trigger Point episode one

Jed Mercurio's six-part thriller Trigger Point starring Line of Duty's Vicky McClure erupted unapologetically onto our TV screens on Sunday night (23 January), serving fans with a shocking cliffhanger when a major character was unexpectedly killed off.

Fans of Mercurio's police procedural Line of Duty will be used to similar plot twists, with big named actors' characters being bumped off after just one episode. But many viewers were still taken aback by the first episode's nerve-jangling conclusion.

The series features McClure as bomb operative Lana Washington working for the Metropolitan police alongside fellow operative Adrian Lester's Joel Nutkins. The pair appear to be dealing with a corrupt officer within their ranks who is a part of an organised terrorist cell.

After arriving at a block of flats in London following a call of a bomb threat from the building, they manage to escape unscathed when the device turns out to be non-lethal.

In the final scene however, the duo are caught up in an explosion when a van within the crime scene suddenly explodes just as Joel is searching it for explosives – killing him instantly. Lana is also injured in the explosion, regaining consciousness only to discover Joel's arm with its distinctive tattoo among the debris.

Viewers were devastated that Joel died so soon into the series – while others aren't convinced he is actually dead...

Lana and Joel are ex-military, have previously worked together in Afghanistan – so we predict we'll see more of Lester's Joel in flashbacks throughout the series.

Meanwhile, executive producer Mercurio has confirmed that the series, much like BBC One's Line of Duty, has been "set up to be a returner" during a virtual Q&A for the show – if it's a hit with viewers.

"If this series goes down well with the audience, we'd love to do more," the writer and producer explained. "It's set up to be a returner. We know how much audiences love thrillers – they're a big part of people's TV experience now, and having another series of Trigger Point in the future would be great if we're lucky enough to get to that point."

Trigger Point also stars Mark Stanley (Honour) as DI Thom Youngblood, Warren Brown (Luther) as Karl Maguire, Kerry Godliman (After Life) as Sonya Reeves, Cal MacAninch (Des) as Lee Robins SCO19, Manjinder Virk (Midsomer Murders) as Samira Desai SO15 and Ralph Ineson (The Capture) as Commander Bregman.

Trigger Point airs on ITV at 9pm.

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