Three decades after his iconic role as the affable Highland bobby Hamish Macbeth, Scottish actor Robert Carlyle is set to return to police action in a major television comeback. The 64-year-old star has been confirmed to join the cast of the acclaimed BBC crime thriller Line of Duty for its highly anticipated seventh series.
A New Role for a Veteran Actor
Robert Carlyle will portray Detective Constable Shaun Massie, described as a gruff specialist rifle officer and veteran marksman. This character marks a significant shift from his earlier portrayal of the gentle village constable in the beloved series Hamish Macbeth, where he was often seen with his loyal West Highland Terrier, Wee Jock.
Line of Duty Series Seven Plot Details
The new instalment of Line of Duty introduces a major organisational change, with the anti-corruption unit AC-12 being disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Carlyle's character, DC Shaun Massie, is tasked with taking down organised crime groups, but the plot thickens when his boss faces serious allegations of being a sexual predator.
Carlyle will be joining returning cast members Adrian Dunbar, Martin Compston, and Vicky McClure, who are all reprising their roles in the hit series. The Trainspotting star expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that the scripts for the series are excellent and will absolutely maintain the high quality that audiences have come to expect from this fantastic show.
Production and Broadcast Information
Line of Duty series seven is scheduled to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next year. The addition of Robert Carlyle to the cast is expected to bring a new dynamic to the show, blending his extensive acting experience with the intense, twist-filled narrative that has made Line of Duty a cultural phenomenon.
This casting news has generated considerable excitement among fans, who are eager to see how Carlyle's character will integrate into the complex world of police corruption and investigation that defines the series.
