One of the main stars of Line of Duty has reportedly been injured with an Airsoft gun while filming the hit BBC series. The popular crime drama is returning for a seventh series, with core cast members Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar reprising their roles. Filming is currently underway in Northern Ireland.
Details about the new season have been kept under wraps, but it is known that Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle will play the guest lead, Detective Constable Shaun Massie. He follows in the footsteps of previous guest stars like Stephen Graham, Keeley Hawes, and Thandiwe Newton.
Shooting reportedly hit a snag when Martin Compston, 42, suffered an injury after being struck by an Airsoft gun on set in Belfast. According to Irish News, Compston was assessed by medical staff and able to resume filming soon after. Airsoft guns are commonly used as substitutes for real weapons on TV and movie sets, firing neither real bullets nor blanks.
All production companies are expected to follow strict health and safety policies enforced by the BBC, including having a licensed armourer present to oversee weapon use. In April, the cast teased fans with behind-the-scenes posts, including a video of Vicky McClure and Compston singing Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody while in costume. Compston had earlier revealed he was on a strict diet to fit back into his character's iconic waistcoat.
Series creator Jed Mercurio also shared a photo of Adrian Dunbar as Ted Hastings with his famous catchphrase: 'There's only one thing I'm interested in and one thing only and that's bent coppers.' Vicky McClure recently told BBC Breakfast that the storyline is 'unbelievable' and working with Robert Carlyle is 'a dream come true.' Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
