Fans of ‘Line of Duty‘ have been waiting for years to hear whether AC-12 will return, and according to Adrian Dunbar, the wait is almost over. Speaking to The Telegraph, the actor, who plays the incorruptible Superintendent Ted Hastings in Jed Mercurio’s acclaimed police procedural, said the hit drama is “definitely coming back.”
“Oh, it’s definitely coming back,” Dunbar confirmed. “Some time next year. We’re just waiting for the BBC to announce it.”
The 66-year-old star added that creator Jed Mercurio is already working on new material, while his co-stars Martin Compston (The Rig) and Vicky McClure (Trigger Point) are also keen to reprise their roles as DI Steve Arnott and DI Kate Fleming. “I know Jed is writing. And Martin and Vicky are very keen,” Dunbar revealed, suggesting that it’s only a matter of time before the BBC makes things official.
This backs up our February report, where Christina Chong (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), who played DI Nicola Rogerson in the drama, revealed she had been approached about her availability for filming a new season of the show. While nothing has yet been officially announced by the BBC, Dunbar’s latest comments are the strongest indication so far that ‘Line of Duty’ Season 7 is finally on the way. We can’t help but wonder if Adrian might be getting a shouty phone call from the BBC press office about letting that slip…
The beloved crime drama last aired in 2021, ending with AC-12’s powers diminished, Ted Hastings forcibly retired, and the question of police corruption far from resolved. It was a conclusion that left many fans unsatisfied, especially after a series that had consistently delivered shocking twists and edge-of-your-seat storytelling. The Season 6 finale attracted a record-breaking 12.8 million viewers, cementing ‘Line of Duty’ as one of the most-watched dramas in BBC history.
Part of the show’s enduring appeal has been its ability to tap into the public mood. Hastings, with his steadfast moral code and catchphrases like “Mother of God” and “Now we’re sucking diesel,” became a cultural icon, embodying viewers’ desire for someone incorruptible at a time when public trust in institutions was faltering. The show’s unflinching exploration of institutional corruption, combined with its intricate plotting and memorable characters, made it a genuine phenomenon.
While ‘Line of Duty’ may be on the horizon, Dunbar isn’t short of work in the meantime. He’s set to return in ITV’s ‘Ridley‘, a brooding crime drama in which he plays the jazz-singing, semi-retired DI Alex Ridley, whose grief over the loss of his family continues to haunt him as he’s drawn back into complex cases.
‘Ridley‘ Season 2 premieres Sunday, 10th August 2025 at 8pm on ITV, STV, and streams on ITVX and STV Player. If you want to keep track of ‘Line of Duty‘ or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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