Line of Duty season 7: Release date speculation, cast, plot and latest news

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After a long wait, the BBC has finally announced that Line of Duty will be back for a seventh season.

Now we’re sucking diesel!

The BBC crime drama, which aired from 2012 to 2021, centered on Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings – the team at AC-12 – as they investigated police corruption. Their work was certainly never boring!

As expected, they’re diving back into what they consider their most challenging case yet.

Jed Mercurio, the creator, writer, and executive producer of the popular series, shared his excitement about the show’s return. He expressed immense gratitude to the fans, noting that the season 6 finale drew an average of 12.8 million viewers. He said everyone involved with Line of Duty is thrilled to be back for a seventh season after six seasons of following AC-12’s journey with such a dedicated audience.

As a huge fan of Line of Duty, it’s funny to me that whenever the show isn’t on, I start imagining all sorts of corruption happening because that’s how engrossed I get! It feels like the real world should be crime-free when AC-12 isn’t investigating, but sadly, I have to fill in the gaps with my own scenarios.

Mother of God, indeed.

So, what can we expect from the new episodes? Plus, who’s returning and when can we tune in?

Read on for everything we know so far about Line of Duty season 7.

Line of Duty season 7 release date speculation: When will it air?

Production is scheduled to begin in Belfast in spring 2026, so we can expect the finished product to be released no sooner than late 2026.

We predict the new series will likely premiere in early 2027, perhaps on New Year’s Day, as the BBC often launches big shows at the start of the year.

Watch this space for updates.

Line of Duty season 7 cast: Who’s returning?

Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, and Adrian Dunbar—the actors who play Kate Fleming, Steve Arnott, and Ted Hastings—will all return for the next season. It wouldn’t feel like Line of Duty without them!

Martin Compston, speaking about the renewal of Line of Duty for a seventh season, described the show as “a job of a lifetime.” He emphasized not only the show’s popularity, but also the strong friendships he’s formed with his colleagues, saying he’s eager to return and work with the team again.

McClure also expressed her excitement about the return of Line of Duty in a statement, saying she’s thrilled to be working with Jed, Martin, and Adrian again and looking forward to filming in Belfast.

But other returning characters have yet to be announced.

Anna Maxwell Martin might reprise her role as DCS Patricia Carmichael, and Keeley Hawes has already been a part of Line of Duty for multiple seasons as DI Lindsay Denton.

Kelly Macdonald’s character, Jo Davidson, survived the sixth season, but a return seems improbable. Her story concluded with her entering witness protection, where she found happiness with a new girlfriend, a cozy cottage, and even a golden retriever!

I’m really excited about the new season! We’re getting a new character, Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, and I can’t wait to find out who’s playing him. They’re keeping other guest stars a secret for now, which just builds the anticipation!

Considering how popular the show is, and the incredible actors who’ve appeared in it before – like Martin, Hawes, Macdonald, Stephen Graham, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, and Jason Watkins – Jed Mercurio will definitely be able to choose from a wide range of talented performers.

Season 7 plot: What will happen?

Corruption, duh.

So, I was really surprised to hear that AC-12, the anti-corruption unit we all know and love, is gone! Apparently, they’ve been shut down and completely revamped – it’s now called the Inspectorate of Police Standards. It’s a big change, and honestly, I’m a little worried about what it means for uncovering police misconduct now.

Fighting corruption is tougher than ever, and now Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings face their most delicate and high-stakes case yet.

Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a popular and successful officer known for dismantling organized crime groups, is now facing accusations of using his authority to sexually exploit others.

“But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?”

When will the Line of Duty season 7 trailer be available to watch?

Trailers typically come out about a month before a movie is released, but without knowing the release date, it’s hard to say when we might see one.

If we had to guess, we probably won’t see the first trailer or any news about it until late 2026.

But the wait could be far longer.

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2025-11-19 16:05