Line of Duty star Martin Compston has reportedly been injured by an Airsoft gun while filming the seventh series of the hit BBC crime drama. The incident occurred on set in Belfast, according to Irish News.
Injury on Set
The 42-year-old actor, who plays Detective Steve Arnott, was struck by an Airsoft gun during production. Medical staff assessed him on site, and he was able to continue filming shortly afterward. Airsoft guns are commonly used as substitutes for real firearms on television and movie sets, firing plastic pellets instead of bullets or blanks.
Safety Protocols
All production companies working with the BBC must adhere to strict health and safety guidelines regarding weapon use. This includes having a licensed armourer present to oversee the handling of any firearms on set.
Return of the Series
Line of Duty was confirmed for a seventh series in November 2025, reuniting core cast members Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar. Filming is currently underway in Northern Ireland. Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle joins the cast as Detective Constable Shaun Massie, the guest lead for the season, following in the footsteps of previous antagonists like Stephen Graham and Keeley Hawes.
Cast Updates
In April, Vicky McClure shared a video on social media of herself and Compston singing Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody while in character costumes, including Compston’s iconic waistcoat. Compston had earlier revealed in February that he was on a strict diet prepared by his wife to fit back into the waistcoat.
Series creator Jed Mercurio also posted a photo of Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings with the character’s catchphrase: “There’s only one thing I’m interested in and one thing only and that’s bent coppers.”
What to Expect
Vicky McClure, 43, teased the upcoming series on BBC Breakfast, saying, “I’m really enjoying it. We worked out the other day; it’s six years since we last shot, and it’s been nearly 15 years since we began. The storyline is unbelievable. So Line of Duty, so twisty-turny… Having Robert Carlyle join the team is major.”
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
