Line of Duty season 7 is expected to hit screens in late January 2027, according to a TV insider, marking an earlier release than previous series which traditionally aired in March.
The BBC's hit procedural drama has been off air since May 2021, and fans have been waiting for the return of Jed Mercurio's thriller, which stars Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar.
Earlier release slot tipped
A TV insider told The Sun that the show is expected to premiere in late January, a shift from the usual March slot. 'This will be welcome news for fans who have already been waiting five years for the next instalment in the story of AC-12,' said the insider.
'They will have been expecting this to land in late March and moving the show is a vote of confidence in the new series as January is when the Beeb likes to showcase its big dramas. Other shows, such as Sherlock, started off being broadcast in the summer, then shifted to January. It's also when it debuted The Night Manager.'
The insider added: 'Rumour has it that bosses have viewed early edits of the new run and are delighted with what they see.'
Plot details and cast
The BBC has revealed plot details for season 7. A press release read: 'AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Anti-corruption work has never been more difficult and in this challenging climate Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) are assigned their most sensitive case so far.'
'Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime, is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator. But is Gough's case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?'
Creator, writer and executive producer Jed Mercurio said: '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. 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.'
Returning stars and new faces
Compston, McClure and Dunbar are all confirmed to return, alongside new cast members. Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle will play Detective Constable Shaun Massie, a Specialist Rifle Officer (SRO) and veteran marksman, operating with Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7). His character has been described as 'a gruff loner' who becomes heavily involved when his boss, DI Dominic Gough, is accused of being a sexual predator.
Sanditon's Tom Weston-Jones will play Gough, while other newcomers include Laura Aikman (This City Is Ours, Gavin & Stacey) as DC Paula Beckman, Levi Brown (This Town, Girl Taken) as DC Luke Tobin, and Amy Leigh Hickman (Ackley Bridge, You) as DC Nira Rashid.
Martin Compston 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.'
Vicky McClure added: '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!'
Adrian Dunbar added: 'As we count down the AC12 days of Christmas what a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year. Delighted with the news and looking forward to those mercurial twists and turns.'
Line of Duty will be back on the BBC in 2027, with previous series available on BBC iPlayer. Metro reached out to the BBC, but they declined to comment.
