Jed Mercurio

Jed Mercurio

From Profile by BBC Radio 4

April 4, 2026 · 15 min

About this episode

The episode explores the career of screenwriter Jed Mercurio, highlighting his journey from medicine to television.

From over-worked medics to bent coppers, for the last 30 years Jed Mercurio has been responsible for some of the UK’s most successful TV series, including Cardiac Arrest, Bodies and Bodyguard. But Line of Duty is arguably his biggest hit, and recording has started for the much-anticipated seventh series. The award-winning screenwriter, director and producer grew up in a working-class family in Staffordshire. His parents, Italian immigrants, were keen he fit in, but friends say Jed was unique from the get-go with big dreams and a determination to be the best. He initially trained to be a doctor and demonstrated his sharp, witty writing in a medical school magazine. Half-way through his medical training, he joined the RAF and was taught to fly fighter jets, before pivoting to screenwriting. Mark Coles looks back at his career so far. Producer: Ben Carter Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Editor: Justine Lang Sound engineer: James Beard. Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

People in this episode

Host: Mark Coles

Guest: Jed Mercurio

Topics covered

  • screenwriting
  • television
  • career
  • personal story
  • immigration
  • medical training

Keywords

  • Jed Mercurio
  • Line of Duty
  • screenwriter
  • television series
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Bodies
  • Bodyguard
  • RAF
  • medical training

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4, RAF

Books & works: Cardiac Arrest, Bodies, Bodyguard, Line of Duty

Places: Staffordshire, UK

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