Line of Duty season 7 launch date ‘revealed’ – and there isn’t long to wait

A new series of Line Of Duty is just around the corner (Picture: BBC) Line Of Duty has been off our screens since May 2021, meaning fans have been more than patient for new episodes of the BBC’s hit procedural drama. But they might not have to wait too long for the new series of Jed Mercurio’s thriller, as season 7’s release date could be just around the corner The series, which stars Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar, has been teasing its return over the past year, and now there’s not much longer to wait, with producers taking a slightly different approach to its release. So, let’s find out what we know about season 7 of Line Of Duty… When could Line Of Duty season 7 be released? A TV insider told The Sun that the show is expected to hit screens in late January 2027, a bit earlier in the year than previous series, which traditionally dropped in March. ‘This will be welcome news for fans who have already been waiting five years for the next instalment in the story of AC-12,’ said the insider. Martin Compston will be back in action in the show (Picture: Steffan Hill/BritBox via AP) ‘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. 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.’ The show has developed a huge following since it first debuted in 2012. Each series grew its viewership, with the show starting with around 3.8million average viewers in season one and ending with an average of 13.67million by the time series 6 concluded in May 2021. What do we know about season 7? The BBC has already revealed some tantalising plot details about season 7 which have got fans even more excited for its return. There have been lots of changes at the AC-12 since we last watched the show (Picture:Steffan Hill/BritBox via AP) A press release read: ‘AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Anti-corruption work has never been more difficult and in this challenging climate Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) are assigned their most sensitive case so far. ‘Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime, is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator. But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?’ Creator, writer and executive producer Jed Mercurio said on the show’s new story: ‘Everyone involved in Line of Duty feels enormous gratitude to the show’s fans. We’re privileged to have had so many of you follow the ups and downs of AC-12 over six previous seasons and we couldn’t be more delighted to be returning for a seventh. Corruption in this country is supposed to have come to an end while Line of Duty was off air so I’ve been forced to use my imagination.’ Are you excited for the return of Line Of Duty? Yes - it's been too long!Check No - I think it's better left aloneCheck Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to Metro's TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can't get enough of Who is in the cast? Many of the stars from previous series are coming back for season 7, with Compson, McClure and Dunbar all confirmed to be a part of the show – but there will be some new faces as well. Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle will be on board as the guest lead for the new series. He plays 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. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video His character has been described as ‘a gruff loner’ who keeps himself to himself, but becomes heavily involved when his boss, TO-7’s commanding officer DI Dominic Gough, is accused of being a sexual predator. Sanditon’s Tom Weston-Jones will play Gough, while other newcomers to the cast include Laura Aikman (This City Is Ours, Gavin & Stacey) as DC Paula Beckman, Levi Brown (This Town, Girl Taken) as DC Luke Tobin, and Amy Leigh Hickman (Ackley Bridge, You) as DC Nira Rashid. Robert Carlyle will have a significant role in the new series (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) On returning to the show, Martin Compston said: ‘Line of Duty has been a job of a lifetime. Not only in terms of the show’s success but the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with I now call some of my closest friends. I can’t wait to pull the waistcoat on again and get the team back together.’ Vicky McClure added: ‘It goes without saying I’m so excited Line of Duty is back! Can’t wait to work with Jed, Martin and Adrian again. Belfast, we’ll see you soon!’ Adrian Dunbar adds: ‘As we count down the AC12 days of Christmas what a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year. Delighted with the news and looking forward to those mercurial twists and turns.’ Line Of Duty will be back on the BBC in 2027. Catch up on the series so far on BBC iPlayer. Deals of the Day QVC shoppers can save £159 on Elemis' biggest beauty gift set of the year This Hoover vacuum is a game-changer for pet owners and muddy homes The wellbeing brand behind everyone's favourite candles has launched its biggest sale yet See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that Metro reached out to the BBC, but they declined to comment. 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