“Line of Duty,” the hit BBC crime drama that last aired in 2021, is set to make its return.

The show — created by Jed Mercurio and produced by World Productions — is coming back for a seventh season, with lead stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar reprising their roles.

In the upcoming six-part season, the fictional police anti-corruption unit AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Anti-corruption work has never been more difficult and in this challenging climate Steve Arnott (Compston), Kate Fleming (McClure) and Ted Hastings (Dunbar) are assigned their most sensitive case so far. Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime, is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator. But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?

Season seven will start filming in Belfast in Spring 2026, with further cast to be announced in due course.

“Everyone involved in Line of Duty feels enormous gratitude to the show’s fans,” said Mercurio. “We’re privileged to have had so many of you follow the ups and downs of AC-12 over six previous seasons and we couldn’t be more delighted to be returning for a seventh. Corruption in this country is supposed to have come to an end while Line of Duty was off air so I’ve been forced to use my imagination.”

“Line of Duty” last aired in 2021, and the series six finale was the U.K.’s biggest drama episode [excluding soap operas] since modern records began in 2002, with 17 million viewers after 28 days. The series averaged a huge 16 million viewers, making it the biggest drama across the market since 2018. In the U.S. and Canada, BritBox exclusively premiered the sixth season.

“There have been a number of significant reunions in recent years, but few more keenly anticipated than the return of AC12,” said Simon Heath, World Productions’ CEO and creative director. “It’s a privilege to be back with Jed’s terrific new chapter of the Line of Duty story.”

Added Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama: “Line of Duty is beloved by audiences and critics alike and its amazing ratings are a true testament to the success of Jed’s writing, the work from the brilliant team at World Productions and the entire cast and crew. I’m so pleased that after four long years Line of Duty will be back filming soon and can’t wait for BBC viewers to be back on the edge of their seats.”

“Line of Duty” is written and created by Jed Mercurio and made by World Productions, part of ITV Studios, which is handling international distribution. It will be directed by Jennie Darnell and the producer is Ken Horn. The executive producers are Mercurio, Heath for World Productions and Nick Lambon for the BBC. “Line of Duty” is made with support from Northern Ireland Screen.

“As we count down the AC12 days of Christmas what a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year,” said Dunbar. “Delighted with the news and looking forward to those mercurial twists and turns.”