Line Of Duty is finally set to return after four years, to the delight of its 17 million fans(Image: BBC)

Line of Duty return finally confirmed – four years after gripping series finale

Line of Duty starring Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston is finally set to make a comeback – four years after the 2021 finale divided millions of fans

by · The Mirror

Line of Duty will return to BBC1 next year for a much-anticipated seventh series - five years after 17 million viewers watched the 2021 finale to discover the identity of H.

Starring Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston as much-loved Ted Hastings, Kate Fleming and Steve Arnott, the hit cop drama tells the story of fictional police anti-corruption unit AC-12, which investigates bent coppers. In the new series the unit has been ditched and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards and the plot will see the trio and their colleagues tasked with their most sensitive case so far - at a time when anti-corruption work has never been more difficult.

Line of Duty stars Martin Compston and Vicky McClure are hugely popular as DI Steve Arnott and DI Kate Fleming( Image: BBC/World Productions/Steffan Hill)

In the story 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 Ted, Kate and Steve must work out whether Gough’s case is actually a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat.

Creator Jed Mercurio said: “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.”

And he quipped: “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 lead actors said they were thrilled to be returning to the roles that now defined them. Martin said: “Line of Duty has been a job of a lifetime. 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. I can’t wait to pull the waistcoat on again and get the team back together.”

Adrian Dunbar, who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings, teased a comeback earlier this year - and he was right( Image: PA)

Vicky agreed: “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!” And Adrian added: “As we count down the AC12 days of Christmas what a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year. Delighted with the news and looking forward to those mercurial twists and turns.”

Created by doctor turned TV writer Mercurio and made by World Produtions, the show first aired in 2012 and was the most watched UK drama since records began in 2002. Top notch guest stars over the years have included Kelly Macdonald, Keeley Hawes, Lennie James, Gina McKee, Jason Watkins and Thandiwe Newton.

Last night BBC drama boss Lindsay Salt said she had high hopes for the seventh series, declaring: “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.”

The Line of Duty finale saw Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells revealed as the bent copper and master criminal H after he made a crucial spelling mistake. Played by Nigel Boyle, some fans were disappointed to find that he’d been H all along. However, many also praised the final show for offering a tense ending with a prison van shoot out and all the loose ends neatly tied up.

Afterwards actor Nigel revealed even he had no idea that his character Buckells was H, until near the end of the shoot. He said: “I was buzzing with excitement! I never suspected it because I know how Jed leads people down the garden path with really good red herrings, so I didn't really pay too much attention to things like Buckells’ golf clubs etc, but clearly I should have done!

"I'd fully bought into the idea that Buckells was low on competence levels but looking back it all makes sense.”

The series is filmed in Belfast and the new series will start production next year.

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