Line of Duty season 7 tipped to reopen H mystery after controversial twist reveal

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Fans of the TV show Line of Duty were thrilled last year when it was announced that a seventh season was in the works, ending months of uncertainty. While Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar will all be back, speculation is now focused on the identity of the mysterious ‘H’ character, sparking plenty of discussion among viewers.

Honestly, the whole ‘H’ storyline had everyone guessing about the big boss at the police force – it was such a mystery! After a lot of speculation, it turned out to be Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle, which was a total shock. I definitely didn’t see that twist coming!

The reveal wasn’t well-received by fans, who were disappointed with how the season’s main story ended.

It looks like Jed Mercurio, the creator of the show, might be addressing the criticisms of season 6’s finale in the upcoming season 7. According to reports, the storyline involving ‘H’ will be revisited, and the new season will heavily focus on allegations of sexual misconduct.

According to a source close to the show, viewers were truly upset with how season six ended, and that’s why a seventh season was greenlit. Now, for the first time, there’s word about bringing back the popular ‘H’ storyline, which fans will be very excited to hear, as writer Jed Mercurio intends to deliver what they’ve been hoping for.

The new season will probably feature a new villain, just like every season since the show began. However, this villain’s story is expected to connect with the ongoing mystery of ‘H’, creating a surprising and impactful twist.

The report indicates that several suspects connected to the ‘H’ storyline, including Owen Teale as Chief Constable Philip Osborne, are expected to return in season 7. When asked for confirmation, the BBC offered no comment.

Martin Compston, the lead actor in the show, previously suggested to TopMob that the loose ends left at the end of season 6 – which was watched by an impressive 12.8 million people (representing 56.2% of viewers that night) – will probably be explained.

As a movie fan, I’m really excited because it sounds like they’re introducing a fresh, compelling story with some brand new faces. Plus, it seems like we might finally get some answers to questions that have been lingering from previous installments – which is always a good thing!

Although it’s unclear exactly what will happen with the H storyline in season seven – especially since it was so central to Line of Duty – it’s likely the show will address or revisit it in some form.

We’ll find out if actors like Buckells or Osborne will be involved once the casting is announced. Filming is scheduled to begin this spring.

We do know that the seventh season will focus on what happens after AC-12 was disbanded and reorganized as the Inspectorate of Police Standards.

Season 7’s story continues with Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings facing their toughest challenge yet as they investigate a highly sensitive case in an increasingly difficult environment for tackling corruption.

Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, known for successfully dismantling organized crime groups, is now facing accusations of using his authority to sexually exploit others. However, some wonder if this scandal is a smokescreen meant to hide a more significant, ongoing danger.

When Line of Duty was renewed, creator and writer Jed Mercurio expressed immense gratitude to the show’s dedicated fans. He said the team feels lucky to have had so many viewers follow AC-12’s journey over the past six seasons and they’re thrilled to be back for a seventh season.

As a huge fan of ‘Line of Duty,’ I always joke that crime seems to drop whenever it’s not on TV. It’s silly, but it feels true – I practically have to pretend things are improving when there’s no AC-12 to investigate!

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Line of Duty seasons 1-6 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a BA in English Literature.

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2026-02-17 15:08