The British Broadcasting Corporation has officially announced the triumphant return of one of television’s most iconic crime dramas. On Tuesday, November 18th, 2025, the BBC confirmed that Line of Duty will be returning for Series 7, marking a monumental moment for devoted fans who have been waiting since the polarizing finale of Series 6 in March 2021. The announcement signals creator Jed Mercurio’s commitment to delivering fresh narratives within the AC-12 universe following criticism surrounding the identity reveal of the mysterious character H.
The Original Trio Returns to AC-12
Cast members of AC-12 police unit in the TV series Line of Duty standing in a police station setting
The confirmation brings the best possible news for fans: the essential triumvirate at the heart of the series will reprise their iconic roles. Martin Compston will return as Detective Inspector Steve Arnott, the morally conflicted officer at the centre of the AC-12 investigations. Vicky McClure will resume her role as Detective Inspector Kate Fleming, the fierce and principled investigator, while Adrian Dunbar will once again embody Superintendent Ted Hastings, the gruff commanding officer whose catchphrase “Mother of God” has become part of British television folklore.
Creator and writer Jed Mercurio is also confirmed to return, penning the six-part series himself. This decision underscores the BBC’s confidence that Mercurio has developed compelling new storylines that justify the dramatic return of the show.
Cast Statements Show Genuine Enthusiasm
Main cast members from Line of Duty standing in police attire and formal wear
Martin Compston expressed his genuine excitement about the reunion, stating: “Line of Duty has been a job of a lifetime. Not only in terms of the show’s success but the people I 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.”
His co-star Vicky McClure echoed that enthusiasm, saying: “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!”
Adrian Dunbar, who has been the most vocal about the show’s potential return throughout 2025, added a poignant note to the announcement: “As we count down the AC-12 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.”
When to Expect Line of Duty Series 7
The BBC has confirmed that filming will commence in Belfast during Spring 2026. Based on typical production timelines—presuming at least three months for filming and three additional months for post-production—the earliest viewers can realistically expect Series 7 is autumn 2026. However, early 2027 appears more probable given standard broadcasting schedules and the complexity of crime drama production.
Historically, Line of Duty has followed a relatively consistent release pattern, with recent series premiering in March of their respective years. Series 6 arrived in March 2021, so a similar spring or early 2027 release window seems logical, though nothing has been formally confirmed by BBC scheduling yet.
Addressing the Series 6 Finale Criticism
Adrian Dunbar has been remarkably candid about the divisive nature of Series 6’s conclusion, particularly the revelation that former Detective Chief Inspector Jo Davidson’s corrupt superior, Derek Hilllingsworth (Buckells), was responsible for the systematic corruption rather than a larger criminal conspiracy. The finale attracted 12 million viewers but left many fans disappointed.
Dunbar acknowledged the frustration: “When you find out it is this idiot, Buckells, it is so frustrating. There is a scene where the three of us are told who it is, and we look at each other and go, ‘What?’ We asked Jed to write that scene because we realised how our audience would feel. But Jed’s point was that police corruption can hang on one cop deciding to ignore one piece of information that comes across his desk.”
This willingness to address viewer disappointment directly suggests Mercurio is crafting a narrative that meaningfully engages with the legacy of Series 6 rather than ignoring it entirely.
The Four-Year Journey to Confirmation
The path to this official announcement has been remarkably circuitous. Following Series 6’s conclusion in 2021, there were initial reports of renewal, but the BBC remained publicly silent for years. Throughout 2025, cast members gradually teased the possibility through various interviews, with Adrian Dunbar proving particularly instrumental in building momentum toward this official confirmation.
In July 2025, Dunbar told The Times: “We’ve talked to the BBC. It is down to the BBC to make an announcement, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that next year we’ll be working on a new series.” By early November 2025, The Sun reported that BBC confirmation was imminent, setting the stage for this week’s official announcement.
What This Means for British Television
The return of Line of Duty represents more than simply reviving a popular series. It signals the BBC’s commitment to investing in prestige drama during a period when streaming services have increasingly dominated premium television production. The series’ return also demonstrates the enduring appeal of British procedural crime dramas both domestically and internationally.
Line of Duty has cultivated a global fanbase, particularly through streaming availability, making its return commercially valuable beyond traditional BBC viewership. The announcement comes at a time when the corporation is actively competing for audience attention against Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other digital platforms.
Production Details and Timeline
Series 7 will consist of six episodes, continuing the format established in recent seasons. While the BBC has not detailed whether episodes will follow the traditional 60-minute format or potentially explore alternative lengths as some productions have experimented with, the six-episode structure remains unchanged from previous series.
The Belfast filming location confirms the show will continue production in Northern Ireland, where it has been primarily based since early seasons. This continuity provides production efficiencies and maintains the atmospheric aesthetic that has become integral to the series’ visual identity.
