The BBC has released a first look at the eagerly awaited return of Line of Duty, confirming that series seven will air next year with Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar reprising their roles.
Filming for the new six-episode run concluded in Belfast earlier this year. The series sees AC-12 disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Professional Standards, with the trio handed what is described as their most delicate case to date in a demanding anti-corruption environment.
Robert Carlyle joins as guest lead
BAFTA-winning actor Robert Carlyle is the guest lead, portraying Police Constable Shaun Massie, a Specialist Rifle Officer (SRO) and veteran marksman operating with Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7) to dismantle Organised Crime Groups.
Massie is a gruff loner who keeps to himself, but his detached manner shifts when his superior, TO-7's commanding officer DI Dominic Gough (Tom Weston-Jones), is accused of being a sexual predator. Gough is a charismatic officer praised for a series of takedowns of organised crime, but he stands accused of exploiting his position of trust. The question raised is whether his case is a deliberate smokescreen for a greater threat.
New and returning cast members
Gough's TO-7 squad includes Laura Aikman as DC Paula Beckman, Levi Brown as DC Luke Tobin, and Amy Leigh Hickman as DC Nira Rashid.
Mark Bonnar, Owen Teale, Perry Fitzpatrick and Christina Chong will all return to reprise their roles. Additional new cast members include David Calder, Steven Elder, Dominic Mafham, Aimee Powell and Naomi Yang.
Production on the new series is confirmed to begin in spring 2026. Responding to the announcement, Vicky said she was "so excited," with Dunbar adding: "What a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year."
During a previous interview with the Times, Adrian essentially confirmed season seven, revealing that cast members had "talked to the BBC" and scripts were on their way. He told the paper: "We're really excited about getting our hands on a Line of Duty script, to see what happens to us. Jed [Mercurio, the show's creator] is writing."
Adrian added: "We've talked to the BBC. It is down to the BBC to make an announcement, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that next year we'll be working on a new series." He also said: "No doubt Jed will think of some interesting twists and turns. We are as much in the dark as you are."
Line of Duty returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.
