Line of Duty 'returning next year' as star left 'frustrated' by final episode

It's the news all Line of Duty fans have been waiting for. The award-winning BBC police drama could be hitting screens as early as 2026, actor Adrian Dunbar has revealed. Dunbar, 66, appeared as Ted Hastings from 2012 to 2021, starring alongside Vicky McClure and Martin Compston. Although there were rumours that series six would be the last, it is all but confirmed that Line of Duty will be making a comeback.

In an interview with The Times, Dunbar said that he is ready to return to filming next year and is hopeful that the BBC will make an official announcement soon. "We're really excited about getting our hands on a Line of Duty script, to see what happens to us. Jed [Mercurio] is writing. We've talked to the BBC," he told the publication. "It is down to the BBC to make an announcement, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that next year we'll be working on a new series. No doubt Jed will think of some interesting twists and turns."

The series six finale revealed DCI Ian Buckells (Nigel Boyle) as the high-ranking corrupt officer known as 'H'. To AC-12's frustration, it was revealed that Buckells simply did it for the money.

The ending left viewers far from satisfied, while Dunbar also recognised it was a "frustrating" way to conclude the series.

He said: "When you find out it is this idiot, Buckells, it is so frustrating. There is a scene where the three of us are told who it is, and we look at each other and go, 'What?' We asked Jed to write that scene because we realised how our audience would feel.

"But Jed's point was that police corruption can hang on one cop deciding to ignore one piece of information that comes across his desk."

The cast will begin filming the new six-part series next year when their other commitments have ended, according to The Sun.

A TV insider told the publication: "This is the news Line of Duty fans have been waiting for since the sixth season left them deflated when it aired back in 2021.

"The BBC almost immediately requested more episodes to continue the story, but the success of the show meant Vicky, Martin and Adrian were instantly snapped up for other projects."

They added: "But after several meetings with Jed and the production team, they've finally managed to clear space in their calendars next year to commit to making the show."