In a move that will delight fans across the nation, the BBC has officially greenlit a seventh season of its critically acclaimed police drama, Line of Duty. The confirmation ends years of speculation and promises the return of the beloved original cast to our screens.
Official Confirmation and Production Details
After numerous unsubstantiated rumours, the broadcaster has put all doubt to rest with a formal announcement. The new six-part series will see the triumphant return of Martin Compston as Steve Arnott, Vicky McClure as Kate Fleming, and Adrian Dunbar as the legendary Ted Hastings.
Production is scheduled to commence in Spring 2026 in the show's familiar home of Belfast. While an exact release date remains under wraps, the confirmation alone is enough to set anticipation soaring.
A New Era for AC-12 and a Gripping New Case
The new season will pick up the pieces following the dramatic events of the divisive season six finale. The celebrated Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12) has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards.
However, when Arnott and Fleming are assigned their most sensitive investigation to date, they find themselves turning to their former superintendent, the now-retired Ted Hastings, for his unique expertise. The central case will see them investigating Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a senior officer accused of being a sexual predator. The big question remains: is this a straightforward case, or does it point to a much larger, more sinister conspiracy within the force?
Cast and Creator Reactions
Show creator Jed Mercurio expressed his gratitude, stating, "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." He jokingly added, "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."
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, also commented, praising the show's dazzling 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and its record-breaking audience, which peaked at 13.1 million viewers for the season six finale. She added, "I’m so pleased that after four long years, Line of Duty will be back filming soon and can’t wait for BBC viewers to be back on the edge of their seats."
With the original team back together and a compelling new mystery at its core, the seventh season of Line of Duty is poised to once again have the British public asking one burning question: who is the bent copper this time?
