Line of Duty could continue beyond its upcoming seventh season, but potentially not on the BBC, as reports suggest Netflix is in talks to secure the show's future.
The hit police drama, which returned to screens after a four-year hiatus, is said to be attracting interest from the streaming giant, which is reportedly keen to tap into the show's global appeal and secure it for future series beyond 2027.
Netflix in the running
A TV insider told The Sun: 'The Beeb currently hold the recommissioning rights to Line of Duty, yet ultimately it is the property of World Productions. The streamers have particularly deep pockets as well as a desire to tap into tried-and-tested shows that are very British.'
So far, there has been no suggestion that the show will leave the BBC, and no further series have been commissioned beyond the upcoming run. However, the lure of bigger budgets and a global platform could prove tempting for creator Jed Mercurio.
Upcoming season details
The BBC confirmed earlier this year that Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar would reprise their roles as Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming and Ted Hastings. Production on the new series is said to be progressing well, with reports suggesting it could air around Easter next year.
The show's return comes after the controversial reveal of 'H' in the 2021 finale, which left fans divided.
Precedent for streaming moves
If Line of Duty is to be prised away by Netflix, it would not be the first major BBC drama to find a new future on a streaming platform. Both Peaky Blinders and Luther later expanded their stories with Netflix-backed films, though neither series left the BBC during their original television runs.
All episodes of Line of Duty are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
