Martin Compston could return to Line of Duty in season seven filming plans

Speculation is mounting that BBC police drama Line of Duty will return for a seventh series. Greenock actor Martin Compston met with cast members Adrian Dunbar and Vicky McClure last week and sources say series creator Jed Mercurio held talks on possible filming dates for a new run of episodes. The finale of the drama was screened in 2021 to record ratings after a successful run for the show that was first broadcast in 2012.

Martin Compston had a reunion with Vicky McClure in Glasgow this April for the first instalment of monthly daytime disco event Day Fever and shenanigans ensued. The three Line of Duty costars enjoy a close relationship but things may be moving towards a working reunion if plans are confirmed for a seventh season of the show.

The Radio Times reports an insider saying: "Jed is close with Vicky, Martin and Adrian and they often meet for dinner – this time it was different.

"A topic of conversation was how they could align their schedules in 2025 to ensure Line of Duty 7 happens. The ambition is filming could start next year, with it on screens by early 2026."

Actor Martin Compston has played DI Steve Arnott since the first season aired and the actor had previously confirmed that the cast are in a WhatsApp group along with writer Jed.

Speaking on the Restless Natives podcast alongside co-host Gordon Smart, Martin said: "We had a WhatsApp group called Line of Duty 6 and then just a while ago Jed changed the name of it to Line of Duty 7. But what I love about it is we've never spoke of it since."

Appearing on The Late Late Show in Ireland on Friday, Vicky McClure talked about filming with the cast in Belfast: "We stayed in an apartment where it was like we were next door to each other and it was quite specific that Martin's flat was the party flat, Aidy's was like the cooking and then you come to mind to learn lines and do the professional stuff.

"It was a good flow that we had going on but we did pretty much live together."And then all the comments start coming through.

After playing a clip of a recent reunion in London between Vicky, Martin and Adrian which sparked Line of Duty rumours, Vicky was asked about a series seven for the show.

"No news," Vicky laughed. "We've said it a million times that coming back to Belfast and shooting it again would be amazing and the dream because we love working together. We love how much the audience loves the show.

"The last series we shot in Covid and it was hard, you know, we didn't go out and to be honest, when we do shoot Line of Duty, we have the craic. So it would be lovely to come back and properly enjoy it."