Line of Duty star gives exciting update on comeback for hit show

29 February 2024 , 23:57

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Mother of God! Adrian Dunbar has been dropping hints (Image: PA)

Adrian Dunbar says that he and co-stars Martin Compston and Vicky McClure are on board for another Line of Duty series.

The bent copper hunters are ready for action if the BBC give the green light to the cult show's return in the news that is sure to leave fans giddy. The early signs are good with members of the cast claiming a WhatsApp group about the show has suddenly been updated - a move they think could suggest a new season may still happen.

Now Adrian has dropped more hints that things are looking positive. He says all three of the star names "really hope" there's more to come and said that the programme is certainly not done yet. Bosses remain silent on the prospect, almost three years after the incredible last series which gripped the nation.

Speaking on LBC’s Tonight with Andrew Marr, he was grilled on a possible comeback. He told the host: "Who knows? I hope so. I mean, certainly, we all hope so - Vicky, Martin and myself. We really hope that it will come back and so we can only keep our fingers crossed. I mean, it's definitely not dead, I'll say that. It's definitely not dead in the water."

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The police procedural series, created by Jed Mercurio, last appeared on screens in May 2021 with Superintendent Ted Hastings and his team uncovering the identity of the ‘Fourth Man’ and derailing corruption from within the force. While the season seemed to wrap up most of the major storylines, some loose ends remained, giving fans hope that a seventh season could someday materialise.

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Martin, who has played DI Steve Arnott since the first season aired back in 2012, is clearly keen. The 39-year-old star says that the cast is in a WhatsApp group along with 56-year-old writer Jed. And he has suggested Jed updated the title of the group to indicate a seventh season could be in store - but adds that no one has actually asked the show boss about it.

Speaking on the Restless Natives podcast alongside Gordon Smart, Martin said: "This happened a long time ago because there absolutely is no immediate plans. Jed's on strike, and we're all filming different stuff. "It's just, 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 spoken of it since."

The boys were joined in January by Jed for an episode of their virtual talk show, and the subject of future seasons was broached. Gordon probed: "Look, it would be remise of me not to ask this question. I know how busy you guys are with your schedule and you've got all sorts of trouble with the writers strike.

"But there has to be a point in the future Jed where you have to get the gang back together and reunite the troops for one more spin of the dice?" In response, Jed said: "We would love to but at the moment there is no news." Martin and Jed also conceded that they wouldn’t make new episodes “for the sake of it” and a future season would only be issued “if there is a story to tell”.

Line of Duty has been a huge hit for the BBC with the last episode of season six pulling in over 16 million viewers. As well as having a core cast that includes Martin and Adrian, guest stars that have featured over the years include Hollywood actresses Kelly Macdonald and Thandiwe Newton.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs