BBC releases first look at Line of Duty season 7 as AC-12 trio reunite

Now we’re sucking diesel! Line of Duty is back! (Picture: BBC/World Production) Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey! The BBC has just shared the first look at Line of Duty season 7.

That’s right, almost a year to the day since the BBC announced AC-12 were getting back together to catch more bent coppers; we’ve finally got a glimpse of Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming and Ted Hastings.

Set after season six’s explosive climax, the new series opens with Ted’s anti-corruption unit disbanded and restructured into the Inspectorate of Professional Standards.

When decorated officer Detective Inspector Dominic Gough is accused of being a sexual predator, however, the AC-12 gang are forced to get back together to investigate.

And soon enough, they discover a wider conspiracy that might be their toughest case to date.

Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar are all set to return for the new series, which has been written by series creator Jed Mercurio.

They’ll be joined by BAFTA-winning actor Robert Carlyle, who plays Police Constable Shaun Massie – a veteran marksman and Specialist Rifle Officer.Described as a gruff loner who ‘keeps himself to himself,’ Massie will join TAC-12’s investigation when his commanding officer, Gough, is accused of abusing his position.

‘Having been a huge admirer of Jed Mercurio’s work for many years, I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to join such an exceptional cast for series 7 of Line of Duty,’ Robert told the BBC.

‘The scripts for the series are excellent and will absolutely maintain the quality that the audience has come to expect from this fantastic show. DC Massie is an extraordinary character, and I look forward to bringing him to life.’

Jed meanwhile said he was ‘thrilled’ to have Robert join the cast.

‘I’ve been a huge fan of Robert’s work for many years, and it will be a career highlight to work with him,’ he added.

Robert always brings mesmerising power and depth to every role; I know viewers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering what his character will do next, and why.’

Sadly, we might have to wait a while to find out the answers to those questions. The BBC still hasn’t officially announced when the gang will be back on the box, although there have been rumours.

A TV insider told The Sun that the show is expected to hit screens in late January 2027.

‘They will have been expecting this to land in late March, and moving the show is a vote of confidence in the new series as January is when the Beeb likes to showcase its big dramas,’ a source told the paper.

Other shows, such as Sherlock, started off being broadcast in the summer, then shifted to January. It’s also when it debuted The Night Manager.

‘Rumour has it that bosses have viewed early edits of the new run and are delighted with what they see.’

Mark Bonnar, Owen Teale, Perry Fitzpatrick and Christina Chong all return to set to reprise their roles for series seven, while David Calder, Steven Elder, Dominic Mafham, Aimee Powell, and Naomi Yang are joining the cast.

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

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