28-07-2025
Future of Line Of Duty is finally CONFIRMED after four years of speculation over whether beloved BBC police drama would return
Line Of Duty is 'definitely coming back' for a seventh season, according to a lead actor in the hit BBC crime drama.
Northern Irish actor Adrian Dunbar, who played Superintendent Ted Hastings in the show, confirmed the much-loved series will be returning to UK screens.
Fans have been begging for another installment for years, and Adrian has previously hinted at another run, but now he has spoken more definitively.
'Oh, it's definitely coming back,' the 66-year-old told the Sunday Telegraph. 'Some time next year. We're just waiting for the BBC to announce it.'
He continued: 'I know Jed [Mercurio] is writing. And Martin and Vicky [Compston and McClure, who play Hastings's anti-corruption colleagues, Steve and Kate] are very keen.'
And in a separate interview with The Times, the Enniskillen native said: 'We're really excited about getting our hands on a Line of Duty script, to see what happens to us.
'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.
'No doubt Jed will think of some interesting twists and turns. We are as much in the dark as you are.'
Adrian suggested that viewers were drawn to the series, and to his straight-laced character in particular, owing to a time of political instability during Covid.
When the news of Partygate erupted - the political scandal that saw Tories dancing and drinking during a state-imposed lockdown - Adrian believes fans sought solace in Ted Hastings.
He told the Belfast Telegraph: 'When the Tories were dancing and having parties, people saw Line of Duty and thought "Surely somewhere there are people who, despite what it might mean to their careers, are willing to do the right thing?"
'I think that's why so many people gravitated towards Ted.'
According to The Sun, the cast will start filming the new six-part installment next January when their other commitments have come to a close.
A TV insider told the publication: 'This is the news Line of Duty fans have been waiting for since the sixth season left them deflated when it aired back in 2021.
'The BBC almost immediately requested more episodes to continue the story, but the success of the show meant Vicky, Martin and Adrian were instantly snapped up for other projects.
Fans have been begging for another installment for years, and Adrian has previously hinted at another run, but now he has spoken more definitively
They added: 'But after several meetings with Jed [Mercurio, creator and writer] and the production team, they've finally managed to clear space in their calendars next year to commit to making the show.'
The announcement of the seventh season has been long and drawn out in the eyes of fans.
In February this year, Christina Chong confirmed she had been asked to return for the next installment.
The actress, 41, who played DI Nicky Rogerson in series two and six of the BBC show, revealed during the Hollywood Saturn Awards that she had been asked about her availability for next year.
When quizzed at the event about the show's return, Christina confessed: 'So I have been asked about a season, is it seven? Yeah. Potentially Nicola Rogerson will be back for season seven.'
The saga of the anti-corruption unit AC-12 came to a gripping conclusion in 2021 with the explosive revelation that the bumbling DCI Ian Buckells (played by Nigel Boyle) was the notorious kingpin H, pulling the strings behind a network of organised crime.
Christina's character made her first appearance way back in 2014 during series two.
As a key member of the Major Violent Crime unit, Christina's character found herself tangled up in the world of AC-12, becoming a love interest for the dashing DS Steve Arnott and even turning informant for him and the team.
Christina's confession comes after show star Martin Compston opened up on the possibility of a new series as he also admitted he'd 'like to pull his waistcoat out again'.
The Scottish actor, 40, starred in the BBC police drama which last aired in 2021 after almost a decade on screens - and fans are desperate for another season.
