Two of the biggest stars of Line of Duty have dropped massive hints that the BBC crime thriller will return next year for a long-awaited seventh series.
Leading man Martin Compston, 41, who plays DI Steve Arnott, and Adrian Dunbar, 66, aka Supt Ted Hastings, both teased fans with updates this week, suggesting filming could begin in 2026.
MailOnline revealed back in April that the ratings juggernaut is expected to return in 2026, with cameras set to roll in the first half of the year.
Speaking on the Nicky Byrne podcast this week, Martin was asked if he’d be taking part in Sport Aid next May.
He replied cryptically: ‘I think, already, I know I’m filming next year. This will be a pretty good one this next show.’
Pressed by Nicky for an exclusive, Martin stayed tight-lipped: ‘Not on this one… But I think most people can have a guess, though.’
Two of the biggest stars of Line of Duty have dropped massive hints that the BBC crime thriller will return next year with a long-awaited seventh series (Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, and Adrian Dunbar pictured)
Leading man Martin Compston, 41, who plays DI Steve Arnott, and Adrian Dunbar, 66, aka Supt Ted Hastings, both teased fans with updates this week, suggesting filming could begin in 2025 (Adrian, Vicky, and Martin pictured 2019)
Meanwhile, Adrian appeared on Radio Ulster on Wednesday and also hinted at the show’s return.
The actor said: ‘We’re all keeping our fingers crossed, just waiting on the BBC to make an announcement.
‘I know Jed’s working away. And I know me and Vicky and Martin really want to do it. So hopefully next year we’ll be back in Belfast and rattling around the town making a nuisance of ourselves.
‘The wheel is turning on that. It’s just down to the BBC to make an announcement.’
In April, The Sun reported that the show’s three leads – Martin, Adrian and Vicky McClure – had finally managed to align their jam-packed schedules, and are expected to begin filming a six-part series in the spring.
The drama, which follows AC-12, an anti-corruption unit investigating coppers, has been a smash hit since it first aired in 2012, regularly drawing more than 10 million viewers.
The news will thrill fans left disappointed by the controversial ending of series six in 2021, when bumbling Det Supt Ian Buckells (Nigel Boyle) was unmasked as ‘H’ – the shadowy criminal mastermind behind the police corruption.
Speculation about a return has been swirling since 2022, when it was first reported that a comeback could be on the cards.
Speaking on the Nicky Byrne podcast this week, Martin was asked if he’d be taking part in Sport Aid next May and he cryptically replied: ‘I think, already, I know I’m filming next year. This will be a pretty good one this next show’
Pressed by Nicky for an exclusive, Martin stayed tight-lipped: ‘Not on this one… But I think most people can have a guess, though’
Martin previously opened up on the possibility of a new series of Line Of Duty, as he admitted he’d ‘like to pull his waistcoat out again’.
In an interview with The Times, Martin was asked the question on everyone’s minds, and hinted that viewers could be in luck.
He reasoned: ‘I just don’t know. I’m busy next year. Vicky’s ridiculously busy, so’s Adrian. If there’s a story Jed (Mercurio) wants to tell, he’ll come to us.
‘As soon as there’s some news, we’ll let you know, but right now there’s nothing there. I’d like to pull my waistcoat out again.’
Martin joked: ‘I like a waistcoat but I can’t wear them now; it’s like putting on Steve’s character.’
The actor, who starred on the show between 2012 and 2021, also dropped another hint during his previous appearance on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X.
At the time, host Chris, 50, asked the question on everyone’s lips to find out if it’s coming back any time soon.
Throwing another hint, Martin replied: ‘I love that people ask and the love that people have.
Meanwhile, Adrian appeared on Radio Ulster on Wednesday and also hinted at the show’s return, saying: ‘We’re all keeping our fingers crossed, just waiting on the BBC to make an announcement’ (pictured last year)
‘When people stop asking about it, it’ll be a sad day. I do love that, but you don’t want to give fans false hope because people get excited.
He added: ‘We’re not planning anything immediately. We’d love to do another one at some point, but we’re all working next year on other stuff.’
Chris joked: ‘Well, stop working on other stuff, stop being so selfish.’
Line of Duty is available to watch on BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Prime Video.
