The following section contains Line of Duty spoilers, including the season six finale.
The million-dollar question is whether or not Line of Duty will return for a seventh season. The police procedural created by Jed Mercurio was one of the most popular programs on the BBC in 2021, shattering numerous rating records.
With an average of 12.8 million viewers, the finale episode became the most-watched episode in the history of the series.
Line of Duty was also named the UK’s highest-rated television drama in the past 13 years, according to Deadline, surpassing previous title-holder Doctor Who (with its 2008 Christmas Day special), ITV’s popular period drama Downton Abbey, and Mercurio’s Bodyguard.
With all of this in mind, you might assume that the seventh season is a foregone conclusion, but there has been no confirmation as of yet.
It appears that the cast and crew could very well be done (though they have not stated this officially).
Following the conclusion of season six, the creator of the BBC drama referred to his collaboration with Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure, and Martin Compston as the “highlight” of his career and thanked the BBC and Word Productions for “six incredible seasons.”
- Joker 2 Release Date: Joker 2 in Work, Cast, Plot and Many More
- Carnival Row Season 2 Release Date, Plot, Cast, Trailer, and Everything Else
- Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season 5 has been cancelled by Netflix! Why Didn’t It Happen?
- Is Pacific Rim 3 Going to Be Released in 2022?
Working with @Vicky_McClure @martin_compston #AdrianDunbar has been the highlight of my career. Thanks to the rest of the cast, our brilliant crews and the production team @worldprods @BBCOne @BBCTwo for six incredible seasons. https://t.co/IYAdSwZKTQ
— Jed Mercurio (@jed_mercurio) May 2, 2021
McClure penned a lengthy blog post in which she reflected on the “lifelong friendships” and “talented and caring” cast.
Martin tweeted, “Been a wild few weeks and crazy ten years with the most incredible cast and crews. None more so than the three individuals listed below.
“A job of a lifetime made possible only by the fans tuning in season after season; I cannot thank you enough…”
Been a wild few weeks and mental 10years with the most amazing cast & crews. None more so than the 3 below who I’d be lost without. A job of a lifetime only made possible by the fans tuning in series after series, for that I can’t thank you all enough. Answers coming? Definately pic.twitter.com/3DShji8WEH
— martin compston (@martin_compston) May 2, 2021
Does this indicate that the show has ended permanently? Or is the seventh season of AC-12 still a possibility?
Mercurio was asked by Den of Geek whether the season six finale was a conclusion or the beginning of a new chapter, to which he responded: “I’d say it’s too soon. It is premature to reach that conclusion. It could be either of those or something else entirely.”
In the days following the conclusion of the highly-anticipated sixth season, the BBC discussed ways in which the story could be continued.
Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, said in a statement, “I’m looking forward to speaking with the team about where we go next and the potential future of the series.”
"Addictive event television, #LineOfDuty has kept the nation guessing for the last seven weeks, so it’s no surprise that last night’s jaw dropping finale set a ratings record…" pic.twitter.com/47dHTj8XWK
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) May 3, 2021
Noting that the show has proven to be “addictive event television,” Moore added, “Line of Duty has kept the country guessing for seven weeks, so it’s no surprise that last night’s jaw-dropping finale set a rating record.”
What will the Release Date of Line of Duty Season 7 be?
The news of its recommissioning or decommissioning is not yet definitive. Considering this, the return date is anyone’s guess.
Since the third season, the show has always premiered in March. In addition, there has been a gap of two years between the last few seasons.
If the seventh batch of episodes were to be produced, we would anticipate their release in early 2023.
It is important to remember that season six was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and would have aired a little earlier if this had not occurred. Depending on future filming logistics and when production began, it is possible that we will not have to wait two years for season seven.
Jed Mercurio has reunited with Vicky McClure for a brand new project that is sure to be a hit with fans, even though there is no official return of Line of Duty in the works.
Trigger Point premiered in January 2022 and follows McClure Explosives Officer Lana Washington as she investigates the perpetrators of a series of bombings.
The intense series once again demonstrates Mercurio’s unmatched ability to create riveting crime dramas, with a shocking death in episode one catalyzing a killer murder mystery.
Line of Duty season 7: Expected Plot
Mercurio has previously stated that he is aware of the story’s conclusion, but it remains to be seen if this is the same conclusion that transpired in the season six finale.
In an interview with Radio Times in March, the creator of Line of Duty stated that he was working toward “not having to wrap things up,” indicating that there are still opportunities for the plot to develop.
In addition, during an interview on the Out To Lunch Podcast (via Metro), Mercurio stated, “Season six proves we still have a lot of ground to cover,” adding, “I want to continue with Line of Duty…”
We finally learned who The Fourth Man or H is in the season six finale, which aired on May 2, after much anticipation.
Despite being the subject of a fan theory early on in the series (due to the presence of golf clubs in his office), we’re willing to bet that Buckells’ reveal was not exactly what you were anticipating. His role in the show dates back to the first season, so everything does make sense.
Regarding the mystery man that AC-12 has been searching for for years, we now have an answer. With a question mark remaining as to whether or not systemic corruption evidence can be used in court, there is still a thread that could be pulled if the story were to continue.
Chief Constable Philip Osborne (Owen Teale) continues to downplay ties between the police and criminal organizations, and with him still in charge – and stripping anti-corruption units of their authority – this appears to be a battle that AC-12 could still pursue.
Teale stated in an interview with Radio Times that people continue to accuse him of being “H”: “People are now calling me out in stores, saying, “I know you’re “H”.”
“And I respond, “No, no, no, no, wait for a second, we all know who H is now,” to which they respond, “No, no, no, I don’t believe that for a second, there’s no way he would have could do that.” However, your character was the first.”
“And they recall it from the very beginning. He was the one who messed with Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), he bullied him, and this is why he jumped into AC-12 and out of firearms.”
Providing we even had an AC-12 to return to. Kate Fleming has made it clear that she would love to return to the job that Hastings had offered her, but with the manager’s impending forced retirement and Patricia Carmichael (Anna Maxwell Martin) in charge of the newly-merged team, it is not guaranteed that our favorite trio will continue to work together.
During season seven, Jed Mercurio probably doesn’t have to worry about the show being canceled, but he is concerned about beginning a new multi-season arc (via RadioTimes).
Since probably the fourth season, we’ve been discussing the realistic longevity of the series with the BBC, he explained. “I’ve experienced broadcasters pulling the plug while we were still developing a storyline; the BBC ended both Bodies and Cardiac Arrest prematurely. Consequently, this is an ongoing discussion, is all I can say. It depends greatly on the key creatives, including myself and the principal actors, finding new stories to tell within that universe.”
This “within the universe” section is certainly intriguing, especially in light of the significance of retaining the main cast. If Line of Duty returns, it won’t be a reboot filled with new characters; instead, it will likely focus on a familiar character.
While we’re not holding out much hope for a Columbo-style show revolving around a retired Hastings (imagine the catchphrases! ), the show could still take some interesting turns. As long as Osborne gets his just desserts in any sequel, we’ll be satisfied.
And there are a few topics we’d like to see explored in greater depth if a seventh season were to materialize.
For a show that’s been on the air for the better part of a decade, it’s been refreshing to see it break new ground this season, including the introduction of Line of Duty’s first openly gay characters and the inclusion of the Lawrence Christopher case to address systemic racism. We would like to see these themes expanded upon in future episodes and integrated more seamlessly into the fabric of the show.
Line of Duty season 7 Expected Cast
Martin Compston would reprise his role as DI Arnott, and Vicky McClure would reprise hers. Kate Fleming, Adrian Dunbar as Ted Hastings, and Shalom Brune Franklin as Chloe Bishop would reprise their roles.
Anna Maxwell Martin could return as DCS Patricia Carmichael, and Kelly Macdonald could reprise her role as Jo Davidson. Previous guest stars have included Lennie James, Keeley Hawes, Daniel Mays, and Thandie Newton, so we’re excited to find out who might appear in the seventh season.
Where can I view the season 7 trailer for Line of Duty?
You will have to settle for the season six finale trailer for the time being.
The first six seasons of Line of Duty are currently available on BBC iPlayer, and DVD and Blu-ray box sets are also available for purchase.
Some FAQs About Line Of Duty Season 7
Is there a Season 7 of Line of Duty?
Is the seventh season of Line of Duty in the works? After the success of season six, fans have inquired about the release date of season seven. The BBC and the show’s creator, Jed Mercurio, have yet to confirm the seventh season.
Where can I watch Line of Duty season 7?
Line of Duty is available on BBC iPlayer for streaming. View more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide to find out what’s on tonight.
Will Line of Duty return in 2022?
The drama typically airs in March and April, but there is no rule prohibiting it from airing at another time of year. It is still possible that Mercurio will write and film the next season of Line of Duty in time for a 2022 premiere, but at this point, we believe it is more likely that the series will return in the spring of 2023.
Where is Line of Duty filmed?
Belfast
Does AC-12 exist in the police?
While the department depicted in the show — AC-12, which stands for Anti-Corruption Unit 12 — is fictitious, there are numerous real-world agencies that investigate police corruption and complaints.
