Seven million viewers tuned into the fourth episode of BBC One's political thriller Bodyguard on Sunday, which delivered a major plot twist that has left audiences reeling. The show, created by Jed Mercurio, killed off Home Secretary Julia Montague, played by Keeley Hawes, in a bomb attack during a speech.
Mercurio, known for his work on Line of Duty, told Radio Times he wanted to create an event that would completely alter the dynamic of the series. 'I like to try to do things that move the story on,' he said, explaining that he struggles as a viewer with shows where central characters are 'can't-die' figures.
The decision to kill off a main character mid-series is highly unusual, drawing comparisons to Game of Thrones and Spooks. Buzzfeed TV editor Scott Bryan called it a 'bold, bold move', while The Guardian's Sarah Hughes praised the twist as 'brilliant' despite the narrative hole it creates.
Many fans, however, are sceptical that Montague is truly dead, given that her body was not shown on screen. Critic Joe Michalczuk said he would be 'gobsmacked' if she does not return, with theories suggesting she may have faked her death, possibly echoing Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Mercurio's history of plot twists, including Hawes' previous character's death in Line of Duty, has fuelled speculation. Whether Montague is alive or dead remains to be seen, as the series continues to unravel a conspiracy involving a missing briefcase, a mysterious boyfriend, and a potential cover-up.
