The BBC has officially revived one of Britain’s most gripping television dramas: Line of Duty is returning for a seventh season, set to premiere on February 16, 2027BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6:00 AM GMT. After a four-year silence since its explosive finale in May 2021, the announcement came at 10:00 AM GMT on November 18, 2025, from BBC Broadcasting House in London. The return isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a high-stakes production with a £28.5 million budget, a £120 million Netflix deal, and a cast that now includes Jodie Comer and David Tennant.
Why Now? The Fan Power Behind the Comeback
It wasn’t just the BBC’s decision. It was the fans. After creator Jed Mercurio declared in 2021 that the story of AC-12 had reached its natural end, viewers didn’t let it go. The #BringBackAC12 campaign, fueled by social media and fan forums, gathered 2.4 million signatures on Change.org by December 2024. Behind the scenes, internal BBC data showed something even more telling: BBC iPlayer recorded 412 million hours of streaming for the series in 2024 alone—more than any other drama in its history. David Abraham, BBC Studios Chairman, admitted in a leaked memo: “We didn’t need to be convinced. The audience already had.”Who’s Back—and Who’s New?
The core of AC-12 remains intact. Vicky McClure returns as the relentless DCI Kate Fleming, and Martin Compston reprises DS Steve Arnott, the moral compass caught between duty and corruption. Adrian Dunbar continues as the stoic Superintendent Ted Hastings, whose loyalty has been tested more than once. But this season belongs to two newcomers. Jodie Comer, fresh off her BAFTA-winning turn in Killing Eve, steps into the lead as DI Naomi West, a sharp, unorthodox investigator with ties to a shadowy cybercrime unit. Her contract, signed in October 2025, is worth £1.2 million for six episodes. Then there’s David Tennant, playing Assistant Chief Constable Robert Vance, a senior officer whose calm demeanor masks a dangerous agenda. Tennant’s £950,000-per-episode deal, brokered by United Agents, makes him one of the highest-paid British TV actors this year.Production: From Birmingham to Cybersecurity
Filming kicks off January 5, 2026, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, the same location that’s stood in for Central Police Station since Season 1. Studio work shifts to the BBC Elstree Centre in Hertfordshire from February to April. The production, handled by World Productions Limited, is tighter and more tech-heavy than ever. Why? Because of the 2023 script leak. A hacker breached internal servers, exposing plot twists before filming even began. To prevent a repeat, £1.8 million of the budget is now dedicated to encrypted cloud systems, blockchain-backed script tracking, and on-set cybersecurity guards. “We’re not just making a TV show,” said Lucy Richer, CEO of World Productions. “We’re building a fortress.”The Numbers: Why This Isn’t Just a Nostalgia Play
The financials tell the real story. At £28.5 million, Season 7 is 32% more expensive than Season 6. Cast salaries take £12.3 million. Marketing and global distribution cost £6.5 million. But here’s the kicker: Netflix paid £120 million for international rights across 190 countries. That deal, finalized on November 12, 2025, is the largest ever for a British police drama. Erik Barmack, Netflix’s VP of International Originals, called it “a no-brainer.” The BBC’s own revenue from the series since 2012? £320 million. Sixty-eight percent came from overseas. This isn’t just a show. It’s a global cash cow with emotional resonance.Legal Hurdles Cleared—And a New Threat Looms
The road back wasn’t smooth. In September 2025, a High Court judge, Dame Victoria McCloud, dismissed a £1.5 million copyright lawsuit from writer Michael J. Bird, who claimed Line of Duty copied his 1970s series The Sandbaggers. The court awarded £385,000 in costs to the BBC—a decisive win. But experts warn: this season’s themes may be even more controversial. Dr. Helen Wheatley, a professor at the University of Warwick, predicts the new season will tackle digital surveillance, AI-driven policing, and internal leaks via encrypted apps. “The corruption isn’t just in the force anymore,” she said. “It’s in the algorithms.”What’s Next? Podcasts, Premieres, and 15 Million Viewers?
The BBC isn’t stopping at TV. A companion podcast, hosted by journalist Marianna Spring, launches January 2, 2027. It’ll dissect each episode’s real-world parallels—from police misconduct to whistleblower protections. And the viewership? Industry analysts at Ampere Analysis predict UK audiences could hit 15 million per episode, surpassing the 11.1 million that watched the 2021 finale. That’s not just a record—it’s a cultural moment.When Line of Duty returns, it won’t just be a show. It’ll be an event. And the question isn’t whether you’ll watch—it’s whether you’ll survive the twists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will all the original cast return for Season 7?
Core cast members Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, and Adrian Dunbar are confirmed. However, characters like AC-12’s former lead, DI Tony Gates, won’t return. The new season shifts focus to DI Naomi West, played by Jodie Comer, while maintaining the original team’s dynamic.
Why did it take four years for Season 7 to be announced?
Creator Jed Mercurio initially felt the story was complete. But sustained fan pressure—evidenced by 2.4 million petition signatures and 412 million iPlayer streams in 2024—convinced the BBC to revisit AC-12. Legal clearance from a 2025 copyright lawsuit also removed a major barrier before production could proceed.
How does the budget for Season 7 compare to previous seasons?
At £28.5 million, Season 7’s budget is a 32% increase over Season 6’s £21.6 million. The rise covers enhanced cybersecurity (£1.8 million), higher actor salaries (including Jodie Comer’s £1.2 million deal), and expanded international marketing. It’s the most expensive season ever, reflecting its global scale.
Where will Season 7 be filmed?
Principal filming begins in January 2026 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, which has served as Central Police Station since Season 1. Studio scenes will be shot at the BBC Elstree Centre in Hertfordshire from February to April 2026.
Is Netflix streaming Season 7 exclusively?
No. Season 7 will premiere simultaneously on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK on February 16, 2027. Netflix holds international streaming rights for 190 countries, meaning viewers outside the UK will need to wait for Netflix’s rollout—typically within 24 hours of the UK broadcast.
What’s the significance of the new character DI Naomi West?
DI Naomi West, played by Jodie Comer, represents a new generation of policing—one shaped by digital surveillance and institutional distrust. Her backstory ties her to a covert cyber unit, creating tension with AC-12’s traditional methods. This shift signals the show’s evolution from internal corruption to systemic digital threats, making the stakes feel more urgent than ever.