The BBC has announced that Line of Duty will return for a seventh series, reuniting stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar after a four-year break. Filming begins in Belfast next spring for the six-part series created by Jed Mercurio, bringing back one of Britain's most successful TV dramas following its record-breaking 2021 finale.
The announcement marks the return of a show that became a cultural phenomenon. Series six's concluding episode drew 15.8 million viewers on BBC One in May 2021, making it the highest-rated drama this century and surpassing the previous record of 15.2 million set by Heartbeat in 2000.
Mercurio acknowledged the long wait with characteristic wit. "Everyone involved in Line Of Duty feels enormous gratitude to the show's fans," he said. "We're privileged to have had so many of you follow the ups and downs of AC-12 over six previous seasons and we couldn't be more delighted to be returning for a seventh. Corruption in this country is supposed to have come to an end while Line Of Duty was off air so I've been forced to use my imagination."
Cast Enthusiasm
The three lead actors expressed excitement about reuniting. Compston, 41, said: "Line Of Duty has been a job of a lifetime. Not only in terms of the show's success but the people I've had the opportunity to work with I now call some of my closest friends. I can't wait to pull the waistcoat on again and get the team back together."
McClure, 42, said: "It goes without saying I'm so excited Line Of Duty is back! Can't wait to work with Jed, Martin and Adrian again. Belfast, we'll see you soon!" Dunbar, 67, added: "As we count down the AC-12 days of Christmas what a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year."
New Direction
The seventh series brings significant changes to the fictional anti-corruption unit. AC-12 will be disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards, the BBC said. Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming and Ted Hastings will be assigned their most sensitive case yet in what the broadcaster describes as a challenging climate where anti-corruption work has never been more difficult.
A new character, Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, will feature prominently. Described as a charismatic officer winning praise for taking down organised crime, Gough stands accused of abusing his position to act as a sexual predator. The synopsis poses the question: "But is Gough's case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?" Casting for the role has not yet been announced.
Industry Response
Lindsay Salt, BBC's director of drama, praised the show's enduring appeal. "Line Of Duty is beloved by audiences and critics alike and its amazing ratings are a true testament to the success of Jed's writing, the work from the brilliant team at World Productions and the entire cast and crew," she said. "I'm so pleased that after four long years Line Of Duty will be back filming soon and can't wait for BBC viewers to be back on the edge of their seats."
Simon Heath, chief executive and creative director of World Productions, said: "There have been a number of significant reunions in recent years, but few more keenly anticipated than the return of AC-12. It's a privilege to be back with Jed's terrific new chapter of the Line Of Duty story."
The sixth series finale revealed the identity of the mysterious corrupt officer H, providing closure to a storyline that had gripped viewers across multiple seasons. Mercurio, who also created political thriller Bodyguard and medical drama Bodies, received an OBE in 2022 for services to TV drama.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).