Line of Duty Returns: BBC Confirms Seventh Series with Original Trio Reprising Roles

By James Harrington, Television Editor The Telegraph Arts & Entertainment December 17, 2025

In a move that has delighted millions of fans, the BBC has officially announced the return of Jed Mercurio’s acclaimed police corruption thriller Line of Duty for a seventh series. Stars Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, and Adrian Dunbar will reprise their iconic roles as DI Kate Fleming, DS Steve Arnott, and Superintendent Ted Hastings, respectively.

hollywoodreporter.com

Line of Duty’ Returns: BBC Drama Back for a Season 7

The six-part series, created and written by Mercurio and produced by World Productions in association with ITV Studios, will begin filming in Belfast in spring 2026. Further casting announcements are expected soon, with high anticipation for guest stars in the vein of past heavyweights like Kelly Macdonald and Stephen Graham.

Line of Duty last aired in 2021, concluding its sixth series with a record-breaking finale that drew 17 million viewers over 28 days—the highest for any drama episode (excluding soaps) since modern UK records began in 2002. The episode resolved the long-running mystery of “H,” the fourth corrupt officer linked to organized crime, revealing it to be the seemingly inept DS Ian Buckells.

inews.co.uk

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Series seven picks up in a transformed landscape: the beloved Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12) has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Anti-corruption efforts face unprecedented challenges, and in this tense environment, Arnott, Fleming, and Hastings tackle their most sensitive investigation yet.

The official synopsis teases: “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 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.”

ca.news.yahoo.com

Line Of Duty Creator Jed Mercurio ‘Furiously’ Shuts Down Journalist’s Question About Series 7 – Yahoo News Canada

The lead actors echoed the sentiment. 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!” Compston added enthusiasm for reuniting, while Dunbar called it “a joy” for the “Three Amigos” to film together again.

Directed by Jennie Darnell with Ken Horn producing, the series benefits from support by Northern Ireland Screen. Executive producers include Mercurio, Simon Heath for World Productions, and Nick Lambon for the BBC.

dailymail.co.uk

Line Of Duty is back! Show creator Jed Mercurio CONFIRMS hit drama will return as all three members of AC-12 agree to reprise their roles and Martin Compston admits he ‘can’t wait

Since its 2012 debut, Line of Duty has become a cultural phenomenon, known for its nail-biting interrogations, moral dilemmas, and Mercurio’s razor-sharp scripts. The show has maintained critical acclaim and massive audiences, cementing AC-12 as one of television’s most enduring teams.

With filming set for 2026, a premiere is likely in late 2026 or early 2027 on BBC One and iPlayer. All previous series are available to stream now, perfect for rewatches ahead of the return.

This revival underscores the enduring appeal of intelligent, high-stakes drama in an era of fragmented viewing. As Hastings might say: “Now we’re sucking diesel!”