Line of Duty series seven unveils first look as Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar return

AC-12 is back, but not quite as we remember it. The BBC has released the first images from Line of Duty series seven, reuniting Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar for another round of corruption, conspiracy and police interrogations.

The long-awaited six-part series sees Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming and Ted Hastings return to a very different landscape, with AC-12 disbanded and replaced by the Inspectorate of Professional Standards. With anti-corruption investigations becoming increasingly difficult, the trio face what could be their most sensitive case yet.

Joining the cast is Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle as Shaun Massie, a veteran police marksman whose quiet life is thrown into turmoil when his commanding officer, DI Dominic Gough (Tom Weston-Jones), is accused of sexual misconduct. But as the investigation unfolds, questions emerge over whether the allegations are concealing something even more sinister.

Familiar faces are also returning, including Mark Bonnar as former Deputy Chief Constable Mike Dryden, Owen Teale as Chief Constable Philip Osborne and Perry Fitzpatrick as DS Chris Lomax. New additions include Laura Aikman, Amy Leigh Hickman and Levi Brown.

Created by Jed Mercurio, who also directs the final three episodes, the new series wrapped filming in Belfast earlier this year, bringing the hit police thriller one step closer to its long-awaited comeback.

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Line of Duty series seven will arrive on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027, with an exact premiere date yet to be announced.