Line Of Duty is to return for a seventh series.
The latest series of the popular police drama, will see Martin Compston, Adrian Dunbar, and Vicky McClure reprise their roles. It will also be written by Jed Mercurio and produced by World Productions.
Speaking about this announcement, Jed Mercuio said that the show owes "enormous gratitude" to the fans. The last series of the show, which aired n 2021, was a huge ratings success, with the finale revealing the identity of the mysterious corrupt H.
"Everyone involved in Line Of Duty feels enormous gratitude to the show’s fans", Mercuio said. "We’re privileged to have had so many of you follow the ups and downs of AC-12 over six previous seasons and we couldn’t be more delighted to be returning for a seventh".
"Corruption in this country is supposed to have come to an end while Line Of Duty was off air so I’ve been forced to use my imagination".
The BBC have confirmed that the new series will see AC-12, the fictional anti corruption department, disbanded and renamed the Inspectorate of Police Standards.
"Anti-corruption 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", a synopsis reads.
It was also confirmed that a new character, Detective Inspector Dominic Gough is to join the cast, described as "a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime", but is a "accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator".
The synopsis adds: "But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?".
Speaking about this new series, director of drama at the BBC, Lindsay Salt said: "Line Of Duty is beloved by audiences and critics alike and its amazing ratings are a true testament to the success of Jed’s writing, the work from the brilliant team at World Productions and the entire cast and crew".
"I’m so pleased that after four long years Line Of Duty will be back filming soon and can’t wait for BBC viewers to be back on the edge of their seats".
Meanwhile, Simon Heath, chief executive and creative director of World Productions, added: "There have been a number of significant reunions in recent years, but few more keenly anticipated than the return of AC-12. It’s a privilege to be back with Jed’s terrific new chapter of the Line Of Duty story".
As for the three stars of the show......
Adrian Dunbar said: "As we count down the AC-12 days of Christmas what a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year. Delighted with the news and looking forward to those mercurial twists and turns".
Martin Compston added: "Line Of Duty has been a job of a lifetime. Not only in terms of the show’s success but the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with I now call some of my closest friends. I can’t wait to pull the waistcoat on again and get the team back together".
Trigger Point star, Vicky McClure remarked: "It goes without saying I’m so excited Line Of Duty is back! Can’t wait to work with Jed, Martin and Adrian again. Belfast, we’ll see you soon!".
Last year, Adrian Dunbar stated that he hoped that a new Line Of Duty series would return before he got any older. More on this here.
