Line of Duty series 6: All the facts about the sixth season

It was the last series... Until it wasn't!

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 2nd Dec 2025

Line of Duty fans up and down the country were absolutely gutted when it was announced the series six would be the last season of the show. The police drama, written by Jed Mercurio and starring Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, was one of the most gripping bits of British telly we'd all seen in years, and we couldn't believe it was ending.

But it did. The sixth and final season aired back in 2021, and although cast members dropped hints that they'd love to return to the show, show bosses remained firm that it wouldn't be resurrected.

That is, until November 2025 - when the BBC confirmed that actually, they'd changed their minds and Line of Duty would return for season seven! While we wait patiently for any scraps of info, here's everything you need to know about the sixth season of Line of Duty.

Who was in the cast of series 6?

As with the previous seasons, Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar reprised their roles as DI Steve Arnott, DI Kate Fleming and Superintendent Ted Hastings. Anna Maxwell Martin also returned as DCS Patricia Carmichael, and we also saw new faces Kelly Macdonald as DCI Joanne Davidson and Shalom Brune-Franklin as DC Chloe Bishop.

Read up on the full cast of Line of Duty.

When did it air?

The sixth season of Line of Duty began airing in March 2021. The first episode went out on 21st March 2021, while the last was released on 2nd May 2021.

How many episodes are in the sixth season?

Contrary to the other series, season six actually contained seven episodes, instead of the normal six that the other five series had.

What happened in Line of Duty season six?

The official BBC synopsis reads: 'Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston return for the sixth instalment of Line of Duty with Shalom Brune-Franklin, a new addition to the AC-12 team.

'Kelly Macdonald makes her debut as guest lead Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Davidson, the senior investigating officer on an unsolved murder case whose suspicious conduct attracts the attention of Anti-Corruption.'

How many viewers did the season get?

According to Variety, the BBC reported 12.8 million viewers for the final episode - a 56.2% share of the viewership! Apparently, it was the most-watched episode of any drama since records began in 2002... Wow. We can only imagine what sort of numbers season seven will be pulling in!

What channel was it on?

As with seasons four and five, season six aired on BBC One.

How can I watch it?

It's available to view on BBC iPlayer, or Netflix for subscribers of the streaming service.

Who wrote the show?

Line of Duty was written by Jed Mercurio, also well known for his work on the likes of Bodyguard, Bloodlands and Trigger Point.

Where was it filmed?

As with previous series of the show, Line of Duty season six was filmed in and around Belfast. It began in February 2020, but had to be paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming later in September that year and finishing up in November.

Jed Mercurio said of the filming measures: "We have taken lots of precautions for cast and crew. We have filmed on studio sets which is a departure from previous series where we have shot in an actual working building. The reason why is because we can ventilate the set and social distance our cast and crew. We have had rigorous measures in place during the shoot."

Check out the Line of Duty filming locations below:

Belfast Subway

AC-12's secret rendezvous point for classified intel

Sunningdale Avenue

You know it's serious when these guys show up - a little behind the scenes shot from Sunningdale Avenue in north Belfast.

Belfast Central Library

Central Library on Royal Avenue is also known as Pelbury House, the show's Central Police Head Quarters.

Tates Avenue

This location has been used for a couple of significant scenes, Dot and Kate's stand-off in series three was filmed under the bridge. Young Ryan Pilkington was just a 'messer' on a bike dropping off phones here too.

Sunningdale Park

Look familiar? Think back to the bookies from season six episode one...

Cregagh Road

Season six kicked off with Operation Lighthouse, with the arrest of suspect Terry Boyle. The cast and crew were spotted on Burren Way on Cregagh Road, in east Belfast.