‘Line of Duty’ Introduces the New AC-12, Same as the Old AC-12

One of the first British hit shows whose popularity in America was genuinely hampered by the streaming wars in the mid-twenty-teens, Line of Duty may finally be poised to break out in the U.S. 14 years after its initial debut.

The British police procedural was created by Jed Mercurio, and its success directly contributed to his rise as a producer, as well as the creation of his hit shows that followed, including Bodyguard, Bloodlands, Trigger Point, DI Ray, and Payback. But the original series bounced around, unable to find a stable American distributor. Seasons 1 through 4 were originally released unmarketed on Hulu; AMC stepped in with the announcement of Season 5 in 2018, declaring the series an exclusive to their platform. That lasted only a single season (though long enough for Seasons 1 through 4 to air on AMC’s linear cable channel), with BritBox stealing it away and making all new seasons exclusive to it from Season 6 onward.

For a long time, it seemed like BritBox had made a bad deal, especially when Murcurio seemed to hang up the show after Season 6, giving BritBox a single exclusive season – while missing Season 5 because it was a single-season exclusive on Acorn. But with the return of Line of Duty for Season 7 – expected to be a ratings juggernaut in the U.K. – BritBox finally has a chance to take the show and turn it into an American hit, building on the cult status it has developed in the U.S. while it’s been away.

For those unfamiliar with the series, Line of Duty centers on Anti-Corruption Unit 12, the internal investigation task force led by Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), located within the fictional Birmingham-set Central Police Constabulary. Each season is set in a different department of the CPC, where DC Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) goes undercover as a new hire, while her partner in crime-solving, DC Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), investigates the suspected corruption from the shadows.

Each season brings in a roster of guest stars, with a high-profile A-lister as the season’s focal point. (In this way, Line of Duty follows the Law of Guest Stars: the most famous person joining the cast is the guilty party.) Since Season 1, the show has featured critically praised turns from major British stars such as Lennie James (Mr. Loverman), Keeley Hawes (Miss Austen), Daniel Mays (Magpie Murders), Thandiwe Newton (First Day on Earth), Stephen Graham (Adolescence), and Kelly Macdonald (Dept. Q). Season 7 is no exception, introducing DC Shaun Massie and DI Dominic Gough, played by PBS favorites Robert Carlyle and Tom Weston-Jones.

Here’s the full synopsis for Season 7:

AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Anti-corruption work has never been more difficult, and in this challenging climate, Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings are assigned their most sensitive case so far.

Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7)’s charismatic commanding officer, DI Dominic Gough, has won plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime. DC Shaun Massie is a Specialist Rifle Officer (SRO), a veteran marksman who takes down Organised Crime Groups. A gruff loner, Massie keeps himself to himself, but when Gough, his boss, is accused of being a sexual predator, Massie's otherwise detached demeanour changes drastically. But is this case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?

Compston (The Rig), McClure (Broadchurch), and Dunbar (Ridley) return to reprise their roles as Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings, respectively. Season 7 will also see the return of Mark Bonnar (Guilt) as former Deputy Chief Constable Mike Dryden, Owen Teale (Game of Thrones) as Chief Constable Philip Osborne, Perry Fitzpatrick (Sherwood) as DS Chris Lomax, and Christina Chong (Grace) as DI Nicky Rogerson.

Weston-Jones (Sanditon) and Carlyle (COBRA) guest star as DI Dominic Gough and DC Shaun Massie, respectively. The rest of the TO-7 team will feature Laura Aikman (This City Is Ours) as DC Paula Beckman, Levi Brown (This Town) as DC Luke Tobin, and Amy Leigh Hickman (Industry) as DC Nira Rashid.

Other new faces joining Line of Duty for the first time include David Calder (Rivals), Steven Elder (Toxic Town), Dominic Mafham (Vigil), Aimee Powell (Art Detectives), Naomi Yang (Under Salt Marsh), and Sarah Andre White (What It Feels Like for A Girl).

Mercurio will once again pen all episodes of the new season and is slated to split helming duties with Season 6 director Jennie Darnell across the show’s six episodes, with Ken Horn producing. Mercurio also executive produces alongside Simon Heath for World Productions and Nick Lambon for the BBC.

Line of Duty Season 7 is expected to debut on the BBC in early 2027, and follow directly on BritBox.

Line of Duty

Catching criminals is tough enough, but try catching bent coppers… Anti-Corruption Unit AC-12 have their work cut out for them.

BritBox Line of Duty

Seasons 1-4 and Season 6 of Line of Duty are available to stream on BritBox. Season 5 is still stuck on Acorn TV.