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Line Of Duty will return for a seventh series.
The BBC are said to be plotting to make a big announcement for the comeback of their hit police drama, after a five-year hiatus off screens.
The show’s leading stars have already heavily hinted they will return as the AC-12 trio and the broadcaster is now planning the right time to reveal the news to fans.
The TV juggernaut is expected to return in 2026, with filming set to start in the first half of the year.
The news will thrill fans who were 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.
‘Although this has been discussed at length since the unsatisfactory ending of series six in 2021, it’s still going to create huge excitement when the Beeb makes the announcement,’ a source told The Sun.
Line Of Duty will return for a seventh series. The BBC are said to be plotting a big announcement for the comeback of their hit police drama, after a five-year hiatus off screens
‘It’s one they’ve been preparing to make for weeks, but they’ve been trying to pick the right moment, since The Celebrity Traitors has been hogging quite a lot of limelight recently.
‘And the BBC very much view Line Of Duty as one of the jewels in its crown that they want to deliver with some fanfare.’
The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for comment.
Back in July, leading man Martin Compston, 41, who plays DI Steve Arnott, and Adrian Dunbar, 67, aka Supt Ted Hastings, both teased fans with updates this week, suggesting filming could begin in 2026.
Speaking on the Nicky Byrne podcast, 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.’
Meanwhile, Adrian appeared on Radio Ulster and also hinted at the show’s return.
The popular BBC show wrapped up five years ago, and fans are desperate to know if there will ever be another instalment after their disappointment over the identity of H
Martin recently 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’
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.’
It was reported 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.
Speculation about a return has been swirling since 2022, when it was first reported that a comeback could be on the cards.
