Line of Duty producer teases "familiar faces" in long-awaited season 7

The new season is expected to air next year.

Three adults stand shoulder to shoulder against a dark brick wall, facing the camera with serious expressions. The person in the center wears a dark tactical vest with police markings and a radio, over an olive jacket. On the left, a person wears a black police jacket with reflective check detailing. On the right, a person wears a blue suit with a white shirt and tie, hands in pockets. The lighting is dramatic and subdued, creating a tense, authoritative mood, with a green RT exclusive banner in the bottom right corner

BBC

Published: Thursday, 27 August 2026 at 9:42 am

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Line of Duty producer Simon Heath has teased what's to come in season 7, confirming there will be "lots of surprises and familiar faces".

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The long-awaited new season, again written by Jed Mercurio, is expected to air in 2027, and will reunite stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar.

Speaking to Radio Times at the 2026 Edinburgh TV Festival, Heath (who is CEO and Creative Director of World Productions) said of the show's return: "I think it was really important to have some time away from the show for everyone, and for us to kind of absorb the reaction, absorb events that have happened in the five years since.

"Then, Jed had that time to come up with a gangbuster story again, which he has, and I think it combines all the elements of Line of Duty that people have loved over the years. I'm hopeful that that it's it's going to land well again."

While Heath kept very quiet on the plot details, he teased: "There are plenty of surprises, and there are also some familiar faces. I think the mix of ingredients feels good."

Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar standing in the AC-12 offices.

Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar. BBC

He also reflected on the decision to bring the series back, adding: "It's a decision that evolved. It was was never, like, one minute we weren't doing it and then we were.

"We were all interested in the idea of it, but aligning everyone's schedules, having the time for Jed to be able to write the scripts and all of those things, and then eventually the moment feels right."

The synopsis for the new season reveals that AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards.

It was previously also announced that Robert Carlyle, the guest lead for season 7, will be playing Detective Constable Shaun Massie, a Specialist Rifle Officer (SRO) and veteran marksman, operating with Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7) to take down Organised Crime Groups.

Line of Duty seasons 1-6 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.

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