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When it comes to British crime series in the 21st century, few have been as ambitious and well-received as Line of Duty, with its most recent episode scoring an eye-watering 15.79 million live viewers. For the best part of a decade, Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio's genius cop drama had millions on the edge of their seats as the extent of a corrupt police conspiracy was uncovered by the team in AC-12 (Martin Compston, Adrian Dunbar, and Vicky McClure). Sadly, after delivering five near-perfect seasons, a controversial final installment nearly derailed Line of Duty's entire reputation, leaving the show on somewhat of a sour note.
For years, many had wondered what another season would look like and if Mercurio and the BBC could rectify the mistakes made in 2021. With it confirmed that the series will return in 2027, fans will finally get their wish, as one of the Beeb's flagship dramas makes an epic comeback during a tumultuous time for the company. "In series 7, AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Anticorruption work has never been more difficult, and in this challenging climate, Steve Arnott (Compston), Kate Fleming (McClure), and Ted Hastings (Dunbar) are assigned their most sensitive case so far," the synopsis reads, continuing:
"Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organized crime, is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator. But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?"
In the most exciting update yet, ahead of the return, star McClure took to her own social media to announce that production had completed on the seventh season, lighting the fuse on speculation as to exactly when, in 2027, Season 7 will premiere. "And we’re Off Duty!! The last 4 months spent with two of my best mates," McClure wrote, adding, "The brilliant cast & crew pulled out all the stops to bring Jed Mercurio's script to life…thank you. Home time now, so can’t wait, missed my lot every single day." Mercurio added his own comment, commending the trio on a "monumental shoot."
Who Is Season 7's Guest Star?
Every season of Line of Duty has been bolstered by an eye-catching guest star, with previous seasons boasting the likes of Stephen Graham, Thandiwe Newton, Daniel Mays, and more. For the big return, no expense has been spared by the Beeb, with Hamish Macbeth and Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle set to headline. Carlyle will reportedly portray Detective Constable Shaun Massie, "a Specialist Rifle Officer (SRO), a veteran marksman, operating with Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7) to take down Organised Crime Groups."
Line of Duty returns next year. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
