Line of Duty's Adrian Dunbar fuels rumours of BBC show return after three years

Adrian Dunbar has seemingly given a significant nod towards the eagerly awaited comeback of Line of Duty, almost three years after the acclaimed series' explosive finale. Fans of Jed Mercurio's highly-regarded drama were left gutted when star Martin Compston disclosed that there were "no immediate plans" for a new series.

In May, Vicky McClure, who shot to fame with her role in Line Of Duty, skilfully dodged questions about the show's return during an appearance on ITV's This Morning. Of late, though, the rumour mill has been abuzz with talk of a revival, especially after Martin, Vicky, and Adrian were spotted engaging with series creator Jed regarding terms and potential filming dates for a seventh series.

Now, Adrian, aged 66, has hinted that a BBC return for the show is in the cards, with only a completed script needed. In his Monday, November 11 interview with Times Radio, Adrian expressed hope for Line Of Duty's future, stating: "I hope so. Looks like it. All the signals and everything is kind of, you know, (positive) but as somebody said, until the script hits the desk you can't be 100% sure.

"So we're all hoping that someone somewhere will make an announcement and say, yes, it's happening. And we can all take it from there. I can tell you one thing...the day they announce it, it's going to burn up the internet," as reported by the Mirror.

He then reflected on portraying Superintendent Ted Hastings, noting: "To end up creating what is an iconic character on British television and also within an iconic TV show would have been a huge ambition of mine. And so to do it is a very humbling and very satisfying experience. So that's how I'd describe it. It's been, it's something that kind of when you think about it keeps you warm. It's very, very nice."

This isn't the first time Adrian has teased Line Of Duty enthusiasts. On one memorable Good Morning Britain appearance in July 2024, Susanna Reid grilled him about a return, suggesting quite forcefully that the show should come back, reports Wales Online.

That prompted Adrian's response: "I think so, Vicky [McClure] thinks so, Martin [Compston] thinks so. Everybody thinks so. It'll be down to the BBC and Doctor Jed Mercurio I think, when and whether we do it."

He also mentioned their collective enthusiasm for a new series, saying they were "all up for it" and "keeping their fingers crossed" He wrapped up with an optimistic note: "Hopefully somebody will make a decision at some point and everybody will go 'Oh they're off again! '".

Conversely, in an April interview with The Daily Mirror, Martin Compston didn't sound as hopeful, commenting: "I'm sorry. They're some of my closest friends, we all love Jed [Mercurio], and we'd all love to work together at some point, but there are no immediate plans."

He added: "It's just getting us all together and stuff. We'd like to but, yeah, these things are a bit complicated. But there are no immediate plans."

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.