After four years away from BBC One screens, Line of Duty is officially back. The BBC confirmed on 18 November 2025 that a seventh season is in production, with filming scheduled to begin in Belfast during spring 2026 and a targeted 2027 broadcast window. Creator Jed Mercurio returns alongside series regulars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar, while new faces including Tom Weston-Jones round out the cast. Season 7 will consist of six episodes and introduce a major structural shift: AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards.

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Status: In production · Filming Start: Spring 2026, Belfast · Expected Air Year: 2027 · Creator: Jed Mercurio · Previous Seasons: 6

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact premiere date not yet announced
  • Full episode count and air schedule
  • Netflix availability for new season
3Timeline signal
  • BBC announcement: 18 November 2025 (Cosmopolitan UK)
  • Additional cast reveal: March 2026 (The Killing Time TV)
  • Filming: Spring 2026 (Cosmopolitan UK)
4What’s next
  • Production continues through 2026
  • Target broadcast window: 2027
  • BBC One primetime likely slot

Key facts at a glance

Detail Information
Series Line of Duty
Season 7
Status In production
Filming Location Belfast
Creator Jed Mercurio
Episodes 6
Network BBC One
Previous Season March 2021

Is Line of Duty Season 7 Coming Out?

Yes. The BBC confirmed on 18 November 2025 that Line of Duty is returning for a seventh season after the show went on hiatus following its sixth season in March 2021. Creator and writer Jed Mercurio is returning for the new instalment, along with the series’ core cast members.

Production Status

Filming for season 7 is underway in Belfast, with production scheduled to begin in spring 2026. The BBC Media Centre statement indicated that the production team is actively working on the new episodes ahead of a planned 2027 broadcast on BBC One.

Official Announcements

The BBC’s formal announcement on 18 November 2025 came with a substantial initial cast reveal, confirming that Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar would all reprise their respective roles as DI Steve Arnott, DC Kate Fleming, and Superintendent Ted Hastings.

The implication: Four years is a long gap for any procedural drama, but the show’s core cast retention signals that BBC is treating this as a continuation rather than a reboot.

Is There a Line of Duty Season 7 Release Date?

An exact premiere date for Line of Duty season 7 has not yet been confirmed by the BBC. However, based on the production timeline, industry analysts and entertainment publications have outlined a rough estimate of what audiences can expect.

Expected Air Year

While the BBC stated season 7 will air “next year” from the November 2025 announcement date, most credible projections point to March 2027 as the most likely release window. This aligns with BBC’s historical pattern of premiering Line of Duty seasons in spring, typically March.

Filming Schedule

With filming scheduled to begin in spring 2026 in Belfast, and the confirmed episode order of six episodes, the production timeline allows for approximately three months of filming followed by three months of post-production. Based on these parameters, the earliest realistic release window would be autumn 2026, though March 2027 remains the more widely anticipated date.

Bottom line: No firm release date exists yet. Autumn 2026 represents the earliest possible window if production runs smoothly, but March 2027 on BBC One remains the safer bet given the broadcaster’s scheduling history with this series.

Who Is the New Cast of Line of Duty Season 7?

The BBC announced a mix of returning cast members and new actors for season 7. While series regulars Compston, McClure, and Dunbar were confirmed in the initial November 2025 announcement, additional casting details emerged in March 2026.

Returning Actors

Several familiar faces from previous seasons are reprising their roles in season 7. Mark Bonnar returns as former Deputy Chief Constable Mike Dryden, Owen Teale is back as Chief Constable Philip Osborne, and Perry Fitzpatrick again plays DS Chris Lomax. Christina Chong also returns as DI Nicky Rogerson.

New Faces

Tom Weston-Jones joins the cast as Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, who leads Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7) and serves as a central figure in the new season’s plot. Reports indicate his character is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator, positioning him as a primary antagonist.

Other new additions include Robert Carlyle as Specialist Rifle Officer DC Shaun Massie, Laura Aikman as DC Paula Beckman, Levi Brown as DC Luke Tobin, and Amy Leigh Hickman as DC Nira Rashid. Further supporting cast members reportedly include David Calder, Steven Elder, Dominic Mafham, Sarah Andre White, Aimee Powell, and Naomi Yang.

What this means: The central dramatic tension for season 7 pivots on TO-7 and its leader DI Dominic Gough, suggesting the anti-corruption narrative will branch into new operational territory beyond the original AC-12 structure.

Is Line of Duty Coming Back in 2026?

While production activity ramps up in 2026, audiences should not expect to see season 7 on screens that same year. Filming is scheduled to begin in Belfast during spring 2026, and the subsequent post-production timeline makes a 2026 broadcast unrealistic.

Filming Timeline

Filming locations will centre on Belfast, continuing Line of Duty’s long-standing production relationship with Northern Ireland. The six-episode season order requires several months of principal photography before post-production work can commence.

Broadcast Window

Based on the confirmed production schedule, the most likely broadcast window is spring 2027. BBC has historically preferred March for Line of Duty season premieres, and with filming not beginning until spring 2026, this timeline allows adequate time for production and post-production processes.

What this means: Viewers who have followed the series since its June 2012 debut will need to wait until at least 2027 to see how the Inspectorate of Police Standards—the renamed successor to AC-12—handles its most sensitive case yet.

Line of Duty Season 7 on Netflix?

Previous seasons of Line of Duty are available on Netflix in the UK and internationally, but questions remain about whether season 7 will follow the same distribution model when it premieres.

Streaming Availability

The show has maintained a presence on Netflix following its BBC broadcast, with seasons typically added to the streaming platform shortly after their linear broadcast concludes. This pattern has helped the series build and maintain an international audience.

Release on Netflix

No official announcement has been made regarding Netflix availability for season 7 specifically. Given the show’s continued success on the platform and BBC’s general willingness to license completed seasons, Netflix distribution for season 7 appears likely, though timing and any potential day-and-date arrangements remain unconfirmed.

The upshot

BBC One remains the primary home for Line of Duty season 7. Netflix availability for new episodes will likely follow the traditional broadcast-to-streaming window, but fans outside the UK should monitor regional licensing announcements as the 2027 premiere approaches.

Confirmed vs Unconfirmed

Confirmed

  • Season 7 greenlit and in production
  • Filming begins Spring 2026 in Belfast
  • Six episodes ordered
  • Core cast returning: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar
  • AC-12 rebranded as Inspectorate of Police Standards
  • Tom Weston-Jones joins as DI Dominic Gough
  • Robert Carlyle, Mark Bonnar, Owen Teale confirmed

Unconfirmed

  • Exact premiere date
  • Netflix availability for new season
  • Full episode titles and air schedule
  • Complete supporting cast list
  • Specific plot details beyond Gough investigation
  • International broadcast dates outside UK

Production Timeline

The table below summarizes key production milestones for Line of Duty season 7 based on BBC announcements.

Date Event
18 November 2025 BBC officially announces Line of Duty season 7 with initial cast
18 November 2025 Additional cast members announced for season 7
Spring 2026 Filming begins in Belfast
2027 Season 7 airs on BBC One

The pattern: BBC typically announces additional production updates as filming progresses, so further details should emerge through 2026.

What They’re Saying

The next instalment starts filming in Belfast in spring 2026 and will air next year.

— BBC Media Centre official statement

Line of Duty has been a job of a lifetime.

— Martin Compston, Actor (DI Steve Arnott)

Editor’s note

This article will be updated as the BBC releases further information about Line of Duty season 7, including confirmed premiere dates, additional cast announcements, and streaming availability details.

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Additional sources

youtube.com, radiotimes.com

Fans revisiting Line of Duty season 5 before season 7 will note the core cast’s return alongside new DI Gough in the Belfast-filmed episodes.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Line of Duty about?

Line of Duty is a British police procedural drama that follows the work of anti-corruption units within Central Police. The series, created by Jed Mercurio, is known for its complex investigations, morally ambiguous characters, and dramatic plot twists involving organized crime and institutional misconduct.

How many seasons of Line of Duty are there?

Season 7 marks the seventh installment in the series. Previous seasons aired from June 2012 through March 2021, with the show building a dedicated following over its six initial seasons before going on a four-year hiatus.

Where can I watch previous Line of Duty seasons?

Previous seasons of Line of Duty are available on Netflix in the UK and internationally. BBC iPlayer also offers catch-up viewing for UK audiences. DVD and Blu-ray releases cover the full series through season 6.

Who created Line of Duty?

Jed Mercurio is the creator, writer, and executive producer of Line of Duty. He has written every episode of the series and continues in his role as showrunner for season 7.

Is AC-12 returning in season 7?

AC-12 has been disbanded in the Line of Duty universe and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. However, series regulars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar are all returning for season 7, suggesting the anti-corruption work continues under the new banner.

What happened in Line of Duty season 6?

Season 6, released in March 2021, concluded with significant revelations about the series’ central criminal network. The season ended on a cliffhanger, with several key characters’ fates left uncertain ahead of the announced hiatus.

Will Line of Duty have more seasons after 7?

No official announcement has been made about seasons beyond season 7. The BBC’s commitment to the seventh season represents a significant vote of confidence, but future instalments would depend on viewership performance, cast availability, and creative direction from Jed Mercurio.

Summary

Line of Duty season 7 is officially confirmed, in production, and targeting a 2027 broadcast on BBC One. Filming begins in Belfast during spring 2026, with six episodes ordered and the core cast—including Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar—returning under the show’s new structural premise. New additions like Tom Weston-Jones as DI Dominic Gough signal fresh dramatic territory for the series. For loyal viewers who’ve waited four years since the season 6 finale, the real question is no longer whether Line of Duty is coming back, but how the Inspectorate of Police Standards will handle its most sensitive case yet.

Related reading

  • Cosmopolitan UK — BBC announces Line of Duty season 7 return
  • The Killing Time TV — Additional cast revealed for season 7