The award-winning writer revealed any of the characters from fictional police anti-corruption unit AC-12 could end up in the firing line at any moment on the BBC show.
He said: “Everybody involved in the series knows we have to make what is the best dramatic choice for the series and I wouldn’t say a character or particular group of characters are safe.
“It’s really about where the story goes and anybody can find themselves in harm’s way.”
He also said the death of a major character was something he was “always weighing up”.
Viewers were left reeling when it looked like Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott, played by Martin Compston, had been killed off last series, after being hurled down three flights of stairs by an attacker.
Mercurio admitted coming close to killing off DS Arnott but said: “It didn’t feel that it was the right time for Steve’s journey with AC-12 to finish.”
The BBC has confirmed that Line Of Duty will return for a sixth run – a fifth series is already in the pipeline and is slated to start filming, for likely broadcast in 2019.
Last Sunday’s finale drew record overnight ratings with 7.5 million people tuning in to find out if DCI Roz Huntley, played by Hollywood star Thandie Newton, would finally go down for her crimes.
Mercurio has also not ruled out DCI Huntley returning in future, comparing the character to series two’s DI Lindsay Denton (Keeley Hawes).
“Well, there are no plans for her to come back but then I did say that about Lindsay,” he admitted.
Mercurio has yet to script series five of the show, but has hinted that forthcoming episodes will focus on the steely head of AC-12 Superintendent Ted Hastings, portrayed by Adrian Dunbar – possibly bringing out his darker side.
Before Line of Duty returns, fans can see more of Mercurio’s work in BBC drama Bodyguard about a team of specialist police officers charged with protecting royals and politicians.
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