Line of Duty could be entering its #MeToo era – but let’s hope it doesn’t waste the opportunity

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This article contains mentions of sexual assault, which some readers may find distressing.

After a long wait, fans of the hit BBC drama Line of Duty can rejoice! Season 7 has been officially confirmed, putting an end to years of wondering about the show’s future. Given its popularity and critical acclaim, another season seemed likely.

We learned the show is coming back with its main actors, and we got a glimpse of the dark and corrupt storyline to come.

BBC previews for season 7 of Line of Duty hint at changes for AC-12, suggesting their anti-corruption investigations are facing unprecedented challenges. Despite this, Steve, Kate, and Ted will be investigating what’s being described as their most delicate and complex case yet.

This season will focus on the arrival of Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a highly successful officer known for dismantling organized crime rings. However, he’s also facing serious allegations of using his authority to sexually exploit others.

It also asks whether the attention on Gough’s situation is intentionally diverting focus from a more significant, hidden danger.

As everyone still processes their frustration with how season 6 ended, and people debate how Jed Mercurio will fix the unsatisfying conclusion and who might replace Gough, I found myself thinking about recent news stories.

Now that Line of Duty appears to be addressing issues like #MeToo, the next season could be just as captivating as before, and potentially even more relevant – assuming the show handles these sensitive topics well.

Equally, it could be the season that may be the most difficult to watch for many survivors at home.

It’s sadly common to see news stories about police officers misusing their authority, and recent cases involving sexual exploitation are particularly disturbing.

As of today, David Carrick, the former Metropolitan Police officer who was previously convicted of serious crimes, is back in the headlines. He has just received another life sentence.

The man was convicted on Wednesday, November 19th, for two separate sexual assaults. He was found guilty of abusing a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s, when he himself was 14 years old, and of raping a former partner two decades later.

I still can’t believe the extent of what this man did. He’d already pleaded guilty to 71 horrific crimes – acts of sexual violence that spanned over 17 years. And to think, he was already serving life sentences – 36 of them, with a minimum of 32 years before he’d even be considered for parole. It’s just… devastating to think about the pain he caused.

Recently, a BBC investigation revealed shocking evidence of sexism and racism within the Metropolitan Police. Hidden cameras at the Charing Cross police station captured officers making inappropriate sexual comments and expressing prejudiced views about immigrants and Muslims.

I was really disturbed to read about the recent misconduct hearing involving a former Warwickshire Police officer. Apparently, he completely abused his position of power – he used it to start a sexual relationship with a woman he’d first met when he arrested her as a teenager. It’s just awful to think about how vulnerable she must have been, and how he exploited that. It’s a really troubling case, honestly.

A former Staffordshire Police officer was found guilty of serious misconduct after exchanging sexually suggestive messages with a witness. He’s also accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman, reportedly giving her his phone number in a compromising way.

This is just a brief look at the current news surrounding recent reports of wrongdoing by police officers in the UK.

I could easily keep discussing the disheartening news happening around us, but let’s focus back on Line of Duty. Ironically, given everything going on, the seventh season might actually be arriving at a perfect moment.

The team will be looking into DI Dominic Gough, but it’s still unclear if he’s truly guilty. As we’ve seen with this show, expect plenty of surprises and deeper connections to the larger conspiracy. It’s possible Gough is innocent and has either upset a coworker or become a target of an organized crime group. He could even be falsely accused of the crimes he’s suspected of.

Ideally, the creators of a show like this would write scripts that highlight how real-life failures happen, while also focusing on the stories of the people impacted by them.

Focusing on the experiences of survivors would be a strong approach for the show, truly illustrating the far-reaching consequences of these crimes. It’s important that sexual assault and rape – potentially crimes Gough is accused of – aren’t simply used as dramatic plot points. While the show can involve Gough’s story, it’s vital that it also amplifies the voices of those often silenced.

It would be fitting if Superintendent Gough faced consequences for his actions, aligning with the show’s focus on police corruption. This would create a satisfying and complete narrative arc for his character.

Maybe these are just the wishful thoughts of a frustrated writer – that’s me – wanting to see some kind of justice, even if it’s only in a TV show, especially one as popular as this one.

I’ve always been impressed with Mercurio’s ability to craft really gripping, intense stories. But the big question now is whether he’ll actually use all the difficult, real-life events that could inspire his work. It’s a bold move if he does, and I’m honestly on the edge of my seat to find out if he will.

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2025-11-21 17:05