Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio reckons it's good to work with Vicky McClure again - without Martin Compston "getting in the way".
The writer has teamed up with the star again for new ITV police drama Trigger Point and made the tongue in cheek comments during its promotion.
Showrunner Jed joked that his filming experience was a lot better as actress Vicky was the real "talent" in the group, which was spoiled by Greenock actor Martin and colleague Adrian Dunbar.
Speaking to Express.co.uk and other press, he quipped: "It was fantastic working with Vicky, it always is.
"And particularly without Martin and Adrian getting in the way and spoiling it.
"That was the highlight definitely for me. Vicky is a natural leader and the real talent in that group.
"So the fact that for once she wasn't being held back... she just really blossomed I thought."
Jed famously has a good and light-hearted relationship with the close-knit group, who regularly tease each other publicly.
Vicky, 38, stars as experienced bomb disposal operative Lana Washington in the new project, alongside Joel Nutkins, played by Adrian Lester, as they work to halt a terrorist campaign threatening the city.
This is the first time that Jed has worked with Vicky since the sixth season of Line of Duty, which has left fans desperate for more episodes after the bombshell reveal of H.
Jed opened up about how much research was involved in creating his new high-octane drama.
He said: "We had a bomb disposal advisor on Bodyguard, a working expo who was excellent and incredibly helpful to us on that series.
"So I just put Daniel (Brierley - writer) in touch with him. He went to their headquarters and training facilities and got a crash course in the things that bomb disposal officers do, and the kinds of operations they might be called out to in London."
The executive producer said there was bound to be some comparison between the series and Line of Duty and welcomed the association as the hit BBC crime drama proved to be such a huge success.
He added: "I think we are very proud of our collaboration on Line of Duty and thrilled in the way that series has connected with such a large audience.
"But I think the audience will realise that this is a very different piece of work.
"And it's great if people come to it because they love Vicky from Line of Duty and they want to see her in this particular role.
"So that would be lovely if it gives the show more attention."
The character Lana appealed to McClure because she is the definition of brave and despite carrying her own personal trauma in the show, she will always risk her life for others.
Speaking about her character, McClure added: "It feels like we're dealing with somebody going through a lot of life's tough times and it's nice to be able to find strength in flawed characters.
"As we go through the series, she becomes more lost as she tries to work out who is planting these bombs and why it's getting closer to home.
"The way in which the story unfolds is quite surreal. And then in the middle of that, she's got her own personal issues to deal with, and she’s scared because she’s losing her instinct.
"This show is fascinating because it takes place in a very short space of time, and it’s very fast-paced.
"She’s trying to keep people safe and she’s losing her head a little bit."
To the delight of Line of Duty fans, Vicky McClure recently opened up about how all the cast members are "game" to do another season of the hit BBC drama.
Trigger Point airs on ITV on Sunday, January 23 at 9pm.
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