The BBC has released first-look images of Line of Duty's seventh series, confirming major changes for anti-corruption unit AC-12 as Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar return to their roles.
The crime drama, which first aired in 2012, is returning five years after its previous series was broadcast in 2021, when it averaged 16 million viewers per episode. The new series follows AC-12 after it has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards, with the team assigned its most sensitive case so far.
Returning Cast and Filming
Compston, McClure and Dunbar reprise their roles as Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming and Ted Hastings respectively in Jed Mercurio's crime thriller. Filming was confirmed to begin in Belfast in spring 2026, with creator and writer Mercurio saying: "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."
First-Look Images Released
The BBC shared the first-look images on Thursday, November 12, following the completion of filming. The pictures show the three lead actors in character ahead of the new series' release.
