The name Tommy Hunter sends shivers down the spine of any Line of Duty fan. As the original organised crime group boss, his shadow loomed large over AC-12 for six series. Therefore, his connection to DCI Joanne Davidson in series six sent shockwaves through the fandom .
Played by Scottish actor Brian McCardie, Hunter was the devil lurking behind every bent copper and brutal crime. As a result, his legacy continued to haunt the show long after his death .
Who Was Tommy Hunter?
John Thomas “Tommy” Hunter was a Glaswegian crime boss and the first leader of the organised crime group we now know as the “Balaclava Gang” [citation:1][citation:4]. He first appeared in series one as a shadowy voice on a burner phone. He quickly became the main antagonist of the show .
Hunter was a paedophile, pimp, drug baron, murderer and blackmailer. He employed a teenage Matthew “Dot” Cottan to work with him at Edge Park Golf Club. He then groomed Cottan into joining the police to act as his inside man [citation:1][citation:4][citation:10].
Like Katie Price‘s early years, Hunter’s criminal empire was built on exploiting vulnerable people for his own gain.
Tommy Hunter in Series One and Two
In series one, Hunter was the man pulling the strings behind the murder of Jackie Laverty. He blackmailed DCI Tony Gates into covering up his drug-dealing operations. He also tortured DS Steve Arnott in an attempt to discover what AC-12 knew about his activities [citation:3][citation:10].
After Gates recorded a confession from him, Hunter was arrested. However, his inside man, DI Matthew “Dot” Cottan, advised him to enter witness protection. Hunter agreed and became a police informant in exchange for immunity [citation:3][citation:6].
Despite being in hiding, Hunter continued running his criminal enterprise. He remained a threat throughout series two. He orchestrated the sexual exploitation of underage girls to blackmail senior officers like DCC Mike Dryden [citation:1][citation:10].
When Hunter threatened to expose his corrupt police contacts, Dot Cottan arranged his murder. The convoy transporting him was ambushed. Hunter suffered severe burns but survived the initial attack [citation:6][citation:10].
Like Paul Mescal in Normal People, Hunter’s role was small but his impact was enormous.
Death in Hospital
While recovering in intensive care, a corrupt officer disguised as a nurse finished the job. DC Jeremy Cole injected air into Hunter’s IV line, killing him. AC-12 officer Georgia Trotman was also killed during the same incident [citation:1][citation:4][citation:10].
Even in death, Tommy Hunter refused to free AC-12 from his grip. His crimes and corruption continued to surface in later series. His name appeared on Sergeant Danny Waldron’s list of child abusers in series three [citation:6][citation:10].
The Sands View Abuse Scandal
Series three revealed Hunter’s most heinous crime. He was one of the paedophiles who sexually abused children at Sands View care home. His name was crossed off on Waldron’s list of abusers [citation:6][citation:10].
This revelation cemented Hunter as the show’s ultimate villain. He was not just a gangster. He was a monster who exploited the most vulnerable members of society. His police contacts helped cover up the abuse for years [citation:4][citation:10].
Like Spencer Matthews turned his life around, Hunter represented the opposite – a man who never changed his evil ways.
The Shocking Connection to Jo Davidson
In series six, episode five, AC-12 discovered that DCI Joanne Davidson shared a partial DNA match with Tommy Hunter. The match revealed homozygosity, indicating a parental relationship. Tommy Hunter was Jo’s father [citation:1][citation:6][citation:9].
The truth was even more disturbing. Jo’s mother was also Tommy’s sister. He had raped his sister, resulting in Jo’s birth. Jo was both his daughter and his niece due to incestuous abuse [citation:1][citation:10].
When Jo was 16, Tommy forced her into the police force. He wanted her “to do his bidding and be under his control”. Her mother later committed suicide because of the shame and trauma [citation:1].
Like Chloe Burrows, Jo was forced to hide her true identity to protect herself from public scrutiny.
The Balaclava Gang and Hunter’s Legacy
Hunter’s organised crime group became known as the Balaclava Gang. They wore masks to hide their identities while committing brutal crimes. Their tactics included blackmailing officers using “honey traps” and murdered women to plant DNA evidence [citation:4][citation:7].
After Hunter’s death, the gang was led by others including John Corbett and Lisa McQueen. However, Hunter’s influence remained. His son, Darren Hunter, was part of a racist gang who murdered architect Lawrence Christopher. Tommy’s corrupt police contacts helped cover up the murder [citation:6][citation:10].
Journalist Gail Vella was investigating these cover-ups when she was killed. Her murder became the central case of series six. Hunter’s shadow loomed over the investigation [citation:6][citation:10].
Brian McCardie: The Actor Behind Tommy Hunter
Brian McCardie was born on January 22, 1965, in Glasgow, Scotland [citation:5]. He appeared as Tommy Hunter in only four episodes of Line of Duty. However, his performance left an indelible mark on the show [citation:5][citation:8].
His other screen credits included Rob Roy, The Damned United (where he played legendary Scottish footballer Dave Mackay), and the BBC drama Time [citation:8].
Tragically, McCardie died suddenly on April 28, 2024, at the age of 59. The cause of death was an aortic dissection [citation:5][citation:8].
Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio paid tribute: “Brian was an incredibly talented actor. The lasting impact he had as Tommy Hunter is testament to the power of his performance. Off screen, Brian couldn’t have been more different from the character he played – he was warm, funny and charming” [citation:8].
Why Hunter Was the Ultimate Villain
Tommy Hunter represents pure evil in the Line of Duty universe. He was a paedophile, rapist, murderer, drug dealer, and corruptor of police officers. His tentacles reached into every level of the justice system [citation:10].
He groomed children like Dot Cottan and Ryan Pilkington from their early teens. He turned them into criminals and later police officers who worked for him. His ability to corrupt others was perhaps his most terrifying quality [citation:4][citation:10].
Unlike many TV villains, Hunter had no redeeming features. He was cruel, arrogant and conscienceless. He literally represented the devil in the show’s moral universe [citation:10].
Like Sam Thompson became a beloved reality TV star, Hunter became the most hated villain in modern British drama.
Conclusion
Tommy Hunter may have died in series two, but his legacy haunted Line of Duty until the very end. As the original OCG boss, he was responsible for countless crimes and corruptions. His shocking connection to Jo Davidson in series six was the ultimate proof that Hunter’s evil knew no bounds.
Brian McCardie’s unforgettable performance brought this monster to life. Even after his tragic passing, his work continues to be celebrated by fans of the show. Consequently, Tommy Hunter remains one of the greatest TV villains of all time.
FAQs
Who played Tommy Hunter in Line of Duty?
Scottish actor Brian McCardie played Tommy Hunter. He passed away on April 28, 2024, at age 59.
How was Tommy Hunter connected to Jo Davidson?
Tommy Hunter was Jo Davidson’s father. He raped his sister, who gave birth to Jo. Jo was both his daughter and his niece.
When did Tommy Hunter die in Line of Duty?
Hunter survived a convoy ambush in series two but was killed in hospital by corrupt officer DC Jeremy Cole, who injected air into his IV line.
What crimes did Tommy Hunter commit?
He was a paedophile, rapist, murderer, drug dealer, sex trafficker, blackmailer and corruptor of police officers.
Did Tommy Hunter abuse children at Sands View?
Yes, his name appeared on Danny Waldron’s list of abusers at Sands View care home in series three.
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