The BBC has officially confirmed the highly anticipated return of its flagship crime drama, Line of Duty, for a seventh season. This announcement comes after the sixth season's finale in 2021, which left some viewers feeling deflated by its systemic corruption conclusion.
A New Chapter for AC-12
In a significant shake-up, the beloved police anti-corruption unit AC-12 has been disbanded. It will return rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. According to the BBC, "anti-corruption work has never been more difficult" in this new challenging climate. Our core trio – Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), and Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) – are set to reunite and have been assigned their most sensitive case so far.
The new series will introduce a central guest character, Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, who stands accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator. This plotline signals a direct engagement with contemporary real-world policing scandals.
Plot Predictions and Speculations
Given creator Jed Mercurio's history as a political writer, it is almost certain he will weave recent developments in police corruption into the narrative. Since the last season aired in 2021, the Metropolitan Police has undergone a major crackdown. By 2023, more than 1,000 officers were suspended or on restricted duties, with 275 awaiting gross misconduct hearings, many involving violence against women and girls. The shocking convictions of serial rapist David Carrick and Wayne Couzens, the murderer of Sarah Everard, are likely to heavily influence the new season's themes.
Furthermore, the show's infamous acronyms are guaranteed to return. Martin Compston once lamented a line containing "five acronyms in one sentence," calling it "absolute torture" to memorise. Fans can expect more jargon-filled dialogue alongside the tense interrogations.
High Stakes for the Core Trio
A bold reset for the series feels inevitable, and that could mean the ultimate sacrifice: losing one of the big three. While all three actors are confirmed to return, their survival is not guaranteed. Ted Hastings might be the safest, as Adrian Dunbar was the first to tease the new season. This places a target on either Kate Fleming or Steve Arnott, whose tight-knit bond has been a cornerstone of the show. A major character death would certainly raise the stakes and signal a true reinvention.
There is also speculation that the show might revisit the "H" storyline. The season six reveal that Ian Buckells was the elusive "H" was an anticlimax for many. Even Adrian Dunbar suggested Buckells was merely a "patsy." Season seven could be Mercurio's opportunity to correct course and unveil the true, powerful mastermind operating in the upper echelons of the police or government.
With a new structure, a provocative case, and the potential for seismic shifts, Line of Duty season seven promises to reinvigorate the gripping corruption saga that has captivated the nation since 2012.
