Line of Duty may resume production for a seventh season in early 2026, according to new reporting in UK outlets. Creator Jed Mercurio and lead actors Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar have reportedly committed to return, following discussions with the BBC and the show’s production team.
The police drama, which premiered in 2012, follows the investigations of anti-corruption unit AC-12. The series moved from BBC Two to BBC One in 2017 and has become one of the network’s most-watched scripted shows. Its sixth and most recent season aired in 2021 and reached more than 13 million viewers during its finale broadcast.
The reported plan involves six new episodes, with filming to begin in January 2026. The new timeline comes after several years of uncertainty. All three lead actors had taken on other projects following the 2021 season, which led to delays in scheduling.
According to The Sun, BBC executives expressed interest in continuing the show shortly after the sixth season concluded. A source cited in the article said, “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. After several meetings with Jed and the production team, they’ve finally managed to clear space in their calendars next year to commit to making the show.”
The series’ sixth season concluded with the reveal of the corrupt figure known as “H,” a mystery that had carried through multiple seasons. The finale was met with divided reaction among viewers. Some fans called the resolution unsatisfying, while others felt it aligned with the series’ procedural tone. The final scene included a statement that “AC-12’s powers to curb wrongdoing in public office have never been weaker,” which indicated that the story might not be fully resolved.
In past interviews, cast members offered different assessments of the show’s future. Adrian Dunbar previously suggested that any continuation could take the form of a film or a shorter special. Martin Compston said in April 2024 that no active plans were underway at the time. “It’s just getting us all together and stuff,” he told The Mirror. “We’d like to but, yeah, these things are a bit complicated.”
Following the conclusion of Season 6, then-BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore spoke publicly about the series’ performance and its potential future. “Addictive event television, Line of Duty has kept the nation guessing for the last seven weeks,” Moore said. She praised Mercurio’s writing and the cast’s performances, calling the finale a standout moment in the BBC’s drama lineup. “I would like to congratulate him and the entire cast and crew for delivering such an incredible drama series.”
Jed Mercurio has not yet commented publicly on the current reports. According to The Sun, much of the new season has already been written, and discussions about production logistics have taken place over the past year.
The original series ran for six seasons and established a loyal audience with its slow-building investigations, detailed interrogation scenes, and internal police politics. It earned multiple awards during its run and continues to be available internationally on streaming platforms including Netflix.
