It’s official, the hit British police drama Line of Duty is returning for a seventh season with stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar set to reprise their roles as anti-corruption officers.
The BBC confirmed the show’s return on Tuesday (November 18), with series creator Jed Mercurio announcing the six-part season will begin filming in Belfast in Spring 2026. The show last aired in 2021, wrapping up the long-running “H” story arc; at the time, it was said there were no plans for further seasons.
Here’s everything we know about the highly anticipated seventh season so far.
Who Is Returning?
As stated above, the show’s three lead stars are all back for Season 7. Compston will reprise his role as DS Steve Arnott, McClure will step back into the part of DC Kate Fleming, and Dunbar will once again play Superintendent Ted Hastings.
“What a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year,” Dunbar said in a statement, per the BBC, while McClure revealed she is “so excited” the series is returning.
What Is It About?
Line of Duty centers around Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12), a fictional police force tasked with “policing the police.” The first six seasons focused on the hunt for the criminal mastermind(s) “H,” with the fourth man of the group apprehended in the Season 6 finale.
According to the BBC, Season 7 will tell a new story and open with AC-12 disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Arnott, Fleming, and Hastings are still working within the unit and will be taking on “their most sensitive case so far.”
Season 7 will introduce a new character, Det Insp Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer celebrated for his success in tackling organized crime, who is accused of abusing his position to act as a sexual predator.
Casting for Gough’s part has yet to be announced. Previous seasons have seen guest stars such as Stephen Graham, Lennie James, Kelly Macdonald, and Keeley Hawes.
The show also teases that the case against Gough could be an intentional distraction from an even bigger threat operating in the shadows.
What Have the Cast & Crew Said?
Showrunner Mercurio said in a statement, “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.”
“Delighted with the news and looking forward to those mercurial twists and turns,” added Dunbar.
McClure stated, “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 described it as “a job of a lifetime,” explaining, “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.”
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When Will It Premiere?
An air date for the new season has yet to be confirmed. As mentioned earlier, filming is scheduled to take place next Spring. Previous seasons aired in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021.
Where Can You Watch?
Line of Duty is available in the U.S. on the streaming platform BritBox, which includes all six seasons.
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