Will there be a season 7 of Line of Duty? What Martin Compston said about another series at the NTA awards

Season six of the BBC crime drama finished earlier this year - but is a seventh season on the horizon?
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The AC-12 team wrapped up their latest season of catching bent coppers earlier this year, with season six the longest series of Line of Duty to date.

Created and written by Jed Mercurio, the award winning series was the best performing drama on UK TV since Bodyguard aired in 2018.

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The finale of season six, which finally revealed the identity of criminal mastermind H, pulled in record viewing numbers for the BBC, so is a seventh season going to be in the works?

This is what you need to know.

Will there be a season 7?

As it stands, a seventh season of the show has not yet been given the green light by the higher ups.

But at last night’s (9 September) National Television Awards, the police procedural won the award for returning drama, beating off competition from the likes of The Crown and Call The Midwife.

The hit series was also awarded the special recognition award, with star Adrian Dunbar hinting at a new series, saying: “Who knows, we might be back.”

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Star Martin Compston dedicated Line Of Duty’s award to their fans and said their “enthusiasm and dedication never ceases to amaze” him.

Compston said in the winners room: “I think we must be the most nominated show who’s lost it so it felt great. We started as this wee show on a Wednesday night on BBC Two, and to see how its grown and it’s all because of the fans.

“Their enthusiasm and dedication never ceases to amaze me, so this is for everybody who’s voted for us so thank you very much.”

Speaking to Radio Times in March 2021, show creator Mercurio said: “We’re in a situation where it’s not entirely clear that there will be a seventh series.

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“We would hope there could be. But we’re having to do our planning coming out of Covid, and a whole bunch of other things around the idea that these things aren’t guaranteed at all now.”

Mercurio added: “Since probably season four, we’ve been talking to the BBC about the realistic longevity of the series. I’ve experienced broadcasters pulling the pug while we were still developing a storyline - Bodies and Cardiac Arrest both ended prematurely on the BBC.

“So it’s an ongoing discussion, is all I can say. A lot of it depends on the key creatives - me and the main actors - finding new stories to tell within that universe.”

Do the BBC want more episodes?

However, Line of Duty fans shouldn’t panic yet, as it does sound promising that another season could be on its way.

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“Without a formal commission, I would say conversations have been very reassuring from the standpoint of not having to wrap things up,” Mercurio said.

Appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show, Martin Compston who plays DI Steve Arnott, said that the show wouldn’t return “just for the sake of it”, and that it would lie in the hands of show creator Mercurio.

He said: “That’s nothing different for us. Jed always takes months after… there’s stuff above our pay grade, analytics, figures and all that kind of thing that comes in.

“He always takes time off. But I think it is important to say, I think this natural story arc that we’ve been on for the last six year [is coming to an end].

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“We won’t come back just for the sake of it. That’s for sure. We’ll come back if there’s a story to tell. But, so as well, if it ends well maybe sometimes it is best to leave it. But, we genuinely don’t know.”

The BBC has suggested that it would be more than happy for the show to continue, should Mercurio wish to make more episodes.

Following the finale of season six, BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore said: “I’m looking forward to having a conversation with the team about where we go next and what the future of the series might be.”

How to watch every season

All six seasons are available on the BBC iPlayer website, including all episodes of the latest season.

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Each season is six episodes long, apart from season one, which is only five episodes, and season six, which was seven episodes.

Season one introduces the audience to Superintendent Ted Hastings, DS Kate Fleming and DS Steve Arnott as they investigate DCI Tony Gates (played by Lennie James).

Season two follows an investigation into DI Lindsay Denton (played by Keeley Hawes) after a civilian under the witness protection scheme is attacked.

Season three is about the investigation into Sergeant Danny Waldron (Daniel Mays) after a suspect is killed following a confrontation between him and Waldron’s squad.

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Season four focuses on the investigation into DCI Roseanne Huntley (Thandiwe Newton) when AC-12 are informed that DCI Huntley could be deliberately ignoring evidence that would prove a suspect's innocence.

Season five follows Hastings, Fleming and Arnott as they investigate an Organised Crime Group that has ties to missing undercover officer DS John Corbett (Stephen Graham).

The season six is about the investigation into DCI Joanne Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) and her team - which includes former AC-12 officer DI Kate Fleming.

When did season six finish?

Season six boasted seven episodes, instead of the usual six that previous seasons have had.

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It was originally announced that this season had been commissioned for six hour-long episodes, but earlier this year in February, it was announced that fans could look forward to an extra episode.

A press release said: “AC-12’s highest priority will always be capturing bent coppers. With that in mind, we have requested and been granted an extension of an extra episode for our next series, making it our longest yet.”

Unfortunately for viewers, the last episode aired on Sunday 2 May at 9pm on BBC One.

The episode officially brought season six to an end, in a dramatic piece of television that unveiled the identity of the mysterious criminal mastermind H.

A message from the editor:

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