Line of Duty Confirms Series 7 – Everything We Know So Far

After years of rumours, hopeful hints, and fan speculation, BBC One has officially confirmed that Line of Duty will return for its seventh series. The announcement ends five years of anticipation and speculation among viewers who have long clamoured for more AC-12 drama (BBC News). Fans of the gripping police procedural can finally breathe a sigh of relief: the anti-corruption unit is back, and they’re on the hunt for crooked cops once more.

The signs of a new series have been there for years. The cast have expressed eagerness to return, creator Jed Mercurio has hinted at ongoing storylines, and viewers have been vocal about their desire to see more twists and turns from AC-12 (The Guardian). Now, it’s officially confirmed: Line of Duty will resume, continuing the story of one of the most suspenseful British crime dramas of the 21st century.

Is There a Series 7 of Line of Duty?

BBC One confirmed the return of Line of Duty for series 7, with filming expected to begin imminently (Radio Times). The show has been a cultural phenomenon since its launch in 2012, with Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar becoming household names almost overnight. Securing the original cast for the new series took time, but the result promises to deliver the intense storytelling and suspense fans have come to expect.

Series 6 aired in 2021 and was initially billed as the show’s swan song. However, the finale left many viewers divided, and fan demand for a continuation never waned. Creator Jed Mercurio expressed his excitement: “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” (The Guardian).

What Is the Plot?

In series 7, AC-12 has been “disbanded and rebranded” as the Inspectorate of Police Standards, reflecting changes within the police landscape (BBC One). The team is tasked with investigating their most sensitive case yet, navigating a climate where corruption is more covert and dangerous than ever.

A new potential villain, Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, has been teased. Gough is described as a charismatic officer gaining praise for taking down organised crime gangs but facing accusations of abusing his position in a sexually predatory manner. The case raises questions about whether Gough is a distraction from a more significant, hidden threat still operating in the shadows (The Independent).

Who’s in the Cast of Line of Duty Series 7?

Martin Compston, 41, returns as DS Steve Arnott, a role he has portrayed since 2012. Since joining Line of Duty, Compston has appeared in series such as The Rig, Vigil, Traces, and Our House. He is also set to replace Richard Armitage in the upcoming second series of Red Eye (Variety).

Compston commented on the upcoming series: “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” (Radio Times).

Vicky McClure, 42, reprises her role as DC Kate Fleming. Known for This Is England, Trigger Point, Broadchurch, and Insomnia, McClure said: “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, 67, returns as Superintendent Ted Hastings. Known for a long and varied career, Dunbar recently starred in Ridley. He remarked: “As we count down the AC-12 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” (The Times).

BBC One has not yet confirmed who will play DI Dominic Gough, with further casting announcements expected closer to filming.

Where Is It Filmed?

Series 7 will begin filming in Belfast in spring 2026. While the first series was shot in Birmingham, subsequent series primarily took place in Northern Ireland, despite the show being set in an unnamed UK city (The Guardian).

How Many Episodes Will There Be?

The new series is set to consist of six one-hour episodes. Historically, series 1 had five episodes, series 2–5 had six, and series 6 featured a special seven-episode run. All previous series remain available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

All the Clues Series 7 Was Happening

Fans had ample reason to speculate about a new series. In August 2024, Adrian Dunbar hinted he was eager to return as Ted Hastings despite the character’s “retirement” at the end of series 6. He stated: “We all want another series. We filmed our last series in lockdown, which meant we didn’t get to do anything other than work, so we’re really keen to get together for one last hurrah” (The Times).

Dunbar later appeared to confirm series 7 was definite, commenting on the excitement of reading a new Line of Duty script and exploring the next chapter for AC-12.

What Happened in Series 6?

Series 6 remains the most-watched British drama of the 21st century. With Superintendent Ted Hastings, DC Kate Fleming, and DS Steve Arnott leading AC-12, the show followed the hunt for the mysterious “Fourth Man.” The season finale revealed Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle, as the unlikely figure behind the corruption (BBC News).

The reveal drew a record-breaking 13 million viewers, though some fans felt the ending was an anti-climax, expressing frustration over the unexpected choice of culprit. Despite the mixed reactions, the show’s intensity, character development, and high-stakes drama have cemented its reputation as a cornerstone of British television (The Guardian).