Line of Duty Returns: Beloved BBC Crime Drama Confirmed for Season 7
The Return of AC-12
British television fans have received exciting news as the BBC crime drama Line of Duty is returning for a 7th season, with Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar reprising their roles. The series six finale was the U.K.’s biggest drama episode (excluding soap operas) since modern records began in 2002, with 17 million viewers after 28 days, making the announcement of a new series particularly significant for devoted followers.
What to Expect from Series 7
The show — created by Jed Mercurio and produced by World Productions — is coming back for a seventh season, with lead stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar reprising their roles. The upcoming six-part series will bring major changes to the familiar setup. In the upcoming six-part season, the fictional police anti-corruption unit AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded the Inspectorate of Police Standards.
Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) are assigned their most sensitive case so far. 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. The investigation promises to deliver the twists and turns fans have come to expect from the award-winning series.
Production Timeline and Impact
The new six part run will film in Belfast in Spring 2026 and will be made by World Productions for BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. Creator Jed Mercurio acknowledged the show’s devoted fanbase, whilst noting that “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 return of Line of Duty represents a significant moment for British television drama. After a four-year hiatus since the 2021 finale, the series’ comeback demonstrates the enduring appeal of quality police procedurals and the BBC’s commitment to bringing back successful programming. For millions of viewers who followed the hunt for the mysterious ‘H’, the opportunity to rejoin Hastings, Fleming and Arnott on another corruption investigation offers the promise of more compelling storytelling that has defined this landmark series.