AC-12 Returns: All the Details on Line of Duty Season 7
After what felt like an eternity, the beloved anti-corruption unit AC-12 is officially making a comeback. The BBC has confirmed that Line of Duty will return for a highly anticipated seventh season, with production set to kick off in Belfast this spring. Fans can expect a fresh six-part series, reuniting the iconic trio of Martin Compston as Detective Constable Steve Arnott, Vicky McClure as Detective Inspector Kate Fleming, and Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings.
The announcement has been met with considerable excitement, not least due to the reveal of a major new guest star who will be joining the ranks.
A Stellar New Addition to the Guest Star Line-Up
The biggest casting news so far for Line of Duty season 7 is the arrival of Robert Carlyle. The Trainspotting star is set to take on the role of the guest series lead, portraying Detective Constable Shaun Massie. Carlyle’s casting continues the show’s impressive tradition of attracting A-list talent to play the ‘bent coppers’ that AC-12 relentlessly pursues. He follows in the footsteps of esteemed actors such as Stephen Graham, Thandiwe Newton, Daniel Mays, Keeley Hawes, and Lennie James, who have all previously graced the series in pivotal guest roles.
Carlyle himself expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Line of Duty universe, stating in the official series announcement that he has long been a “huge admirer” of the show’s creator, Jed Mercurio. He teased that the scripts for the upcoming season are “excellent” and will undoubtedly uphold the high quality that audiences have come to expect. “DC Massie is an extraordinary character and I look forward to bringing him to life,” Carlyle added, hinting at the complexity of his new role.
While the return of Compston, McClure, and Dunbar is confirmed, fans will be eagerly awaiting further casting announcements for other potential new faces and returning characters.
Addressing the Divisive Season 6 Finale
The last season of Line of Duty concluded with a finale that aired back in 2021. This particular episode proved to be somewhat divisive among viewers, with some feeling it didn’t quite live up to the immense build-up, particularly regarding the long-awaited reveal of the identity of ‘H’. Despite the episode holding the answers many had been waiting years for, critical reception was mixed, with some reviews awarding it a less-than-stellar three out of five stars.
There are high hopes that season 7 will go some way to mending any lingering disappointment from the previous finale. Given the extended hiatus between seasons, expectations are naturally sky-high, but the initial plot details for the new series are already sounding incredibly promising.
Unpacking the Intriguing Plot of Season 7
The BBC has already provided some tantalising glimpses into the narrative of the upcoming season. A significant plot point revealed is that AC-12, as we knew it, has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. While the familiar acronym may be gone, the crucial work of tackling corruption within the police force remains. The AC-12 team, now operating under this new guise, will be assigned what is described as their most sensitive and challenging case to date.
Robert Carlyle’s character, DC Shaun Massie, is introduced as a veteran marksman within the Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7), a unit focused on dismantling organised crime groups. Described as a gruff loner who prefers to keep to himself, Massie’s typically detached demeanour is set to be drastically altered when his boss, TO-7’s commanding officer DI Dominic Gough, is accused of sexual predation. This development raises the stakes considerably and hints at a potential threat far more insidious than initially apparent.
The implications of this accusation and how it impacts Massie and the broader investigation are sure to be a central focus. The fertile ground provided by these initial plot details has already sparked much speculation among dedicated fans, who are theorising about the wider conspiracies and twists that the six-part series might hold.
When Can We Expect Line of Duty Season 7?
As of now, a firm release date for Line of Duty season 7 remains under wraps. However, it has been confirmed that the new season will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC One sometime next year. Fans are advised to keep a close watch on official announcements for further updates.
In the meantime, for those eager to revisit the gripping investigations of AC-12, all previous seasons of Line of Duty are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
