Adrian Dunbar stars as Superintendent Ted Hastings
(Picture: PA Media / BBC)Line of Duty could be back on BBC1 for a surprise three-part special with insiders describing “unfinished business” with the police series, it has been reported.
The hit drama is set to return after the sixth, and what was thought to be the last, series with the special possibly set to air next Christmas. Stars Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston are said to be attached.
It was reported by the Sun on Thursday that filming could commence in spring 2023, with the episodes continuing the Jed Mercurio-created show which has been running since 2012.
The number of viewers rose with every series up to the final episode, when more than 16 million tuned in on May 2, 2021, to discover the search for the corrupt officer revealed Ian Buckells had been the underlying antagonist.
The reveal had been unsatisfactory for some, with the New Statesman saying it had "ended with a whimper, not a bang".
The news has not been confirmed by the BBC or the cast — but those involved have expressed they have been flattered with talk of its return and not ruled it out.
An unnamed insider told the Sun: “There was a very strong feeling, particularly among fans, that there was unfinished business with Line of Duty.
“Viewers weren’t satisfied with the ending of series six and were crying out for a more sensational conclusion — now Jed can deliver that.”
They said the special episodes could explore whether Buckells was really the absolute villain inside the police department, or whether a greater threat was pulling the strings.
Dunbar, who played the lead character Ted Hastings, has spoken of his dissatisfaction of filming during lockdown for the sixth series.
“It wasn’t quite as fun,” he told the Sun. “We couldn’t hang out. We couldn’t go out.
“We were all in a kind of bubble so it just didn’t have the same feel — which is one of the reasons we’d like to do another one.”
