A new series of Line of Duty is 'in development'

"MOTHER OF GOD"

Author: Alex RossPublished 4th Nov 2024

It's the news we've all been waiting for... Rumours are rife a seventh series of BBC crime drama Line of Duty will happen, with reports the series is now 'in development'.

The popular show, which first hit our screens back in 2012, received around 14 million viewers for series six, which saw the introduction of DCI Joanne Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) as her Murder Investigation Team tried to crack the Gail Vella case.

With long-standing cast members Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), and DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) also featuring, AC-12 were back on the hunt for bent coppers, as well as trying to find the final identity of H.

Following that intense series finale on Sunday 2nd May 2021, which saw Ian Buckells being identified as H, the Line of Duty cast, as well as writer Jed Mercurio, have reportedly been having secret meeting to work out schedules.

A source revealed to a national newspaper that Jed met with Vicky, Martin and Adrian recently to discuss potential filming dates for 2025, with an ambition of getting series seven on our screens in 2026.

The latest rumours arrive a number of years after a source told the Daily Star: “Another series is happening. This is the news millions of fans have been hoping for.

“A lot of stuff still needs to be agreed and it is likely to take a while. Fans will probably have to wait a few years before it airs on TV.”

Despite this exciting rumours, BBC bosses are yet to confirm anything about a seventh series.

Just last week, Vicky, Martin and Adrian delighted fans by reuniting for a wild night out in London. Martin shared a video to Instagram as the trio enjoyed a rickshaw ride around London. He wrote: 'AC12 oot and aboot'. (sic)

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Award-winning writer Jed has previously spoke about the prospect of a seventh instalment of Line of Duty, telling the Radio Times back in March 2021, "We’re in a situation where it’s not entirely clear that there will be a seventh series. We would hope there could be. But we’re having to do our planning coming out of COVID, and a whole bunch of other things around the idea that these things aren’t guaranteed at all now.

"Since probably season four, we’ve been talking to the BBC about the realistic longevity of the series. I’ve experienced broadcasters pulling the plug while we were still developing a storyline –Bodies and Cardiac Arrest both ended prematurely on the BBC. So it’s an ongoing discussion, is all I can say. A lot of it depends on the key creatives – me and the main actors – finding new stories to tell within that universe."

Whilst we await any official confirmation, all six series of Line of Duty are now available to watch on the BBC iPlayer.

Now read:

Line of Duty: What do all the technical acronyms really mean?

Meet the cast of Line of Duty series 6

The best TV crime dramas to binge watch right now

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