BBC Line of Duty star shares massive update about new series
Adrian Dunbar has revealed a significant update regarding Line of Duty returning to the small screen. It's news that's bound to thrill fans of the popular series as they await official confirmation of a return date.
The actor, 66, has portrayed Superintendent Ted Hastings across all six series of the police corruption thriller, which has proven a massive success for the BBC. Its return soon appears extremely probable, according to Dunbar.
Whilst he and fellow cast members Martin Compston and Vicky McClure, who portray DI Steve Arnott and DI Kate Fleming, remain in limbo awaiting "official confirmation" that series seven will receive approval, Dunbar gave an update.
Speaking to the latest edition of Radio Times magazine as reported by the Manchester Evening News, Adrian revealed: "There were signs that we were going to be doing something next year. We're all waiting for the BBC to say, 'Yeah, it's happening'.
"An official confirmation is what we're waiting on, but all the signs are very good. Jed [Mercurio, showrunner] hasn't given us any updates – he's beavering away, I suspect."
Adrian also confessed he never assumes his role on the programme is secure, and revealed that Vicky delights in tormenting her fellow actors about what's to come, as she usually receives scripts before them.
He explained: "One of the shocking things that I realised after series two or three was the writer can just do away with you.
"Vicky usually gets the scripts first, and she's a very quick reader, so she will start sending us cryptic messages that'll really unnerve me and Martin. Like, 'Oh my God, episode three – what happens to you!'
For nearly a decade, viewers have been engrossed by the pursuit of the mysterious antagonist known only as "H". The climactic conclusion of season six saw the enigmatic figure revealed to be Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle, leaving some fans underwhelmed.
Elsewhere, Scots star Compston, who plays Steve Arnott, was optimistic about the series returning in the future, though he did concede that it may take a while, given the schedules of his co-stars, as he gave an update earlier back in May.
"We're always talking about possibilities and schedules and whatnot," he said in an interview with The Sun. "Everybody's got stuff going on at the minute, so I think anything, unfortunately, would be a way off.
"You know, the day people stop asking about the show will be a sad day, so I'm delighted that people are still excited about it. We'd all love to work together again at some point. We still all meet up."
He continued: "I met with Jed, Adrian and Vicky in London before Christmas - we went out for dinner, to hear what everyone's up to," added Compston, who played the role of Steve in all six seasons.
"It's amazing. It's the best feeling as an actor when you feel like the whole country is in the palm of your hand with what's coming next, and there's only a couple of you in that secret of who's surviving and what's going on."
"We really care about the quality of it. So if we come back, it would be for the right reasons. It won't just be: 'Get another one done.' It'll be because Jed thinks there's a story to tell," he concluded.
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