Line of Duty, the acclaimed police procedural series, is set to return to the BBC for a highly anticipated seventh season. Creator Jed Mercurio confirmed that stars Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, and Adrian Dunbar will reprise their roles, with filming scheduled to commence in Belfast in spring 2026. The previous season concluded in 2021, with its finale drawing a remarkable 17 million viewers within 28 days, marking it as the most-watched drama episode in the UK since records began in 2002.
The upcoming six-part series will see the disbanding of AC-12, which has been rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. In a challenging environment for anticorruption efforts, Compston’s character, Steve Arnott, along with McClure’s Kate Fleming and Dunbar’s Ted Hastings, will tackle their most sensitive case to date. The plot involves Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a respected officer accused of exploiting his position to engage in predatory behavior. The synopsis raises questions about whether Gough’s situation is merely a distraction from a more significant threat lurking in the shadows.
In expressing his gratitude to the show’s dedicated fanbase, Mercurio stated, “Everyone involved in Line of Duty feels enormous gratitude to the show’s fans. 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.”
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, underscored the show’s popularity, noting, “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.” She expressed excitement about the return of the series after a four-year hiatus, stating her eagerness for viewers to once again be on the edge of their seats.
The lead actors also shared their enthusiasm. Compston described the series as “a job of a lifetime,” while McClure remarked, “Belfast, we’ll see you soon!” Dunbar 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.”
Produced by World Productions in association with ITV Studios, Line of Duty will be directed by Jennie Darnell, with Ken Horn serving as producer. The executive producers include Mercurio, Simon Heath for World Productions, and Nick Lambon for the BBC. The show has received support from Northern Ireland Screen, which enhances its production quality and local engagement.
For those eager to revisit the series, the first six seasons of Line of Duty are currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer. As anticipation builds for the new season, fans can expect the same gripping storytelling and intricate plot twists that have made the series a staple of contemporary television.
