When Is Line Of Duty Season 7

So, you’ve binge-watched every last second of Line of Duty, you’ve dissected the final “mother of God” with your mate Dave, and now you’re staring at your telly like a lost puppy. The big question hanging in the air, louder than Steve Arnott’s side-eye, is: When is Season 7 coming? Grab a cuppa and a biscuit made of pure speculation, because we’re about to dive into this glorious mess of a mystery.

The Current State of “We Have No Idea”

Let me get the brutal, heartbreaking truth out of the way: nobody knows. Not your uncle who “knows a guy,” not the Twitter bots, and certainly not poor Hastings, who is probably still trying to find the bent copper in his own mirror. As of early 2025, the BBC hasn’t given a green light, a release date, or even a “maybe next Tuesday.”

Creator Jed Mercurio is famously tight-lipped, which is his way of saying, “I enjoy watching you suffer.” He’s been busy with other projects, like that COVID-era thriller Breathtaking, which was great but didn’t feature a single “now we’re sucking diesel.” So, the official word is: it’s not dead, but it’s on life support.

Why the Delay? The Real Conspiracy

You might think it’s about budget, actors’ schedules, or a global pandemic. Wrong. The real reason is that Jed Mercurio is locked in a bunker, trying to out-twist the final twist. Remember that Season 6 finale? The one where we learned about a fourth man, and then a fifth man, and then a bloke who might have been a ghost? Yeah, Jed needs to write a Season 7 that makes that look like a simple game of Cluedo.

Also, the cast is busy. Vicky McClure (Kate Fleming) is off being a national treasure. Martin Compston (Steve Arnott) is playing a Scottish gangster somewhere. And Adrian Dunbar (Ted Hastings) is probably at a golf course, shouting “Mother of God” at his putter. Herding those cats is like trying to organise a stag do for MI5—impossible and slightly terrifying.

The Surprisingly Good News: History Says Maybe

Here’s the surprising fact that will make you feel better: every season of Line of Duty has had a massive gap. Between Season 1 and 2? A year. Between Season 5 and 6? That was a whole three-year wait thanks to COVID. Showrunner Jed Mercurio has explicitly said he won’t rush it, which is code for “quality over your sanity.”

And get this: the show’s ratings were absolutely bonkers. Nearly 13 million people watched the Season 6 finale in the UK. That’s more people than went to see any film in 2021. The BBC would be daft not to bring it back—it’s basically a license fee printer that screams “bent coppers” every half hour.

When Do the Clues Arrive?

If I were a betting man (and I am, because I own a tin hat), I’d point to a late 2026 or early 2027 release. Why? Because the BBC is currently filming other big shows, and Jed likes to write an entire season before filming a single frame. That takes at least a year of him staring at a wall, muttering “urgent exit required” under his breath.

A more optimistic guess is an announcement in late 2025. That’s when we might hear, “Filming begins next spring!” Which means you can start your countdown watch of the first six seasons—again. You know, for research purposes. “Oh, I’m just refreshing my memory on the corrupt Chief Super.” Rubbish. You’re doing it because you’re addicted.

What the Stars Have Leaked (Without Actually Leaking)

In interviews, the actors have been masterfully vague. Martin Compston once said, “I’m not ruling anything out,” which is actor-speak for “I haven’t signed a contract yet, but I need the job.” Vicky McClure said she’d “love to go back,” which is the most British way of saying, “For the love of god, give me a script before I go mad.”

Adrian Dunbar, the glorious patriarch of AC-12, hinted that Ted Hastings’ story isn’t over. He said, “There’s always a possibility.” That’s the same thing he says when asked if he likes tea. But we’ll take it, because we’re desperate.

What Will Season 7 Even Be About? (Wild Guesses Only)

Here’s my unhinged theory: the Fourth Man is actually a woman, and her name is Dot Cottan’s ghost. No, wait—that’s stupid. Actually, the real mystery is already set up. We saw that ominous meeting with an unnamed politician in the finale. That’s the new big bad. Probably someone who says “mother of God” ironically.

My best guess? Kate and Steve will have to go undercover in the House of Commons, which is basically a crime scene anyway. Hastings will be forced to retire, then un-retire, then shout “urgent exit required” at a pigeon. It will be glorious television.

The Bottom Line: How to Survive the Wait

So, when is Line of Duty Season 7? Honestly? When it’s ready, mate. And if you can’t wait, you have two options. One: rewatch the seasons and count how many times someone says “bent copper.” (Spoiler: a lot.) Two: start a YouTube channel where you just stare into a camera and whisper, “Now we’re sucking diesel,” until the BBC caves.

Until then, keep your tinfoil hat handy and your kettle on. The wait is part of the conspiracy. And if you see Jed Mercurio in the street, just give him a nod and a biscuit. He’s working on it. Probably. Or he’s just laughing at us all from his bunker. Either way, season 7 will come. Eventually. Maybe. Now we’re sucking diesel? Not yet, pal.