Line of Duty Season 7: Release details, cast news and plot details – Everything we know so far

The official and confirmed production of Season 7 of Line of Duty has begun and is coming back after the sixth season, which aired in 2021. Writer/creator Jed Mercurio is writing every episode of this season, and the series is produced under the World Productions banner for both British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Networks: BBC One & BBC iPlayer.

Northern Ireland Screen provided support to help make this series possible, and ITV Studios will be distributing it internationally.
The news of Carlyle joining the cast and old faves returning created a lot of excitement amongst fans on social media. There isn’t a complete trailer, nor have any additional spoilers been released, because filming is still proceeding.

These are all of the presently known confirmations as of late March–April 2026. Visit the BBC Media Centre for today’s accurate dates, full trailers, or additional cast when they become available while the shoot continues. All previous seasons can be viewed via the BBC iPlayer. “Mother of God!” indeed.

Line of Duty Season 7: Release Details

• Filming: Began in spring 2026 (officially started by late March 2026) in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A read-through with the cast occurred earlier, and Jed Mercurio has shared first-look behind-the-scenes photos.
• Expected Air Date: It will air in 2027 (described as “next year” from March 2026 announcements). No exact premiere date has been confirmed yet. Given the six-episode format, typical filming and post-production timelines point to a likely late 2026 or 2027 broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer.
• Previous series were major events, often airing in spring or autumn with high viewership (Series 6 averaged around 16 million per episode at its peak).

Line of Duty Season 7: Plot Details (Official Synopsis)

AC-12 has been dismantled and renamed the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Anticorruption efforts are now harder than ever. Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings are assigned to investigate the most sensitive case they have dealt with as a team.

The case is based on Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, who has been acclaimed for his leading role in major successful operations against organised crime syndicates. However, he is also under a serious sexual abuse investigation for misusing his position as a police officer to exploit vulnerable women. Given the nature of the case and the strategic importance of using it as a diversion from other potential ongoing serious threats, many question whether the investigation into Dominic Gough is merely a smokescreen.

Also featured in the new storyline is Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7) and an explanation of the new investigative framework in which to conduct investigations after the disbanding of AC-12.

There will be numerous twists, extreme questioning, and in-depth layers of corruption in this story, which will also contain clues to previous story arcs (although it will not be a continuation of previously established stories).

Line of Duty Season 7: Cast News

The core trio returns, joined by a strong mix of new and returning actors.

Main Returning Cast:

• Martin Compston as DS Steve Arnott
• Vicky McClure as DC Kate Fleming
• Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings (“The Three Amigos” reuniting)

Key New/Guest Cast:

• Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Full Monty) as Specialist Rifle Officer, DC Shaun Massie, a veteran marksman in TO-7.
• Tom Weston-Jones (Warrior, Sanditon) as Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, leader of TO-7 and the focus of the central investigation.

TO-7 Team:

• Laura Aikman as DC Paula Beckman
• Levi Brown as DC Luke Tobin
• Amy Leigh Hickman as DC Nira Rashid

Returning Guest/Supporting Cast:

• Mark Bonnar as former Deputy Chief Constable Mike Dryden
• Owen Teale as Chief Constable Philip Osborne
• Perry Fitzpatrick as DS Chris Lomax
• Christina Chong as DI Nicky Rogerson

Additional New Cast:

• David Calder, Steven Elder, Dominic Mafham, Sarah Andre White, Aimee Powell, Naomi Yang (and others).

Jed Mercurio directs episodes 4-6; Jennie Darnell directs the first three. The cast and crew have expressed excitement, with McClure and Dunbar highlighting the joy of reuniting.