Filming for the seventh series of the police drama Line of Duty has resumed in Belfast, with stars Martin Compston and Vicky McClure back on set after production was paused due to riots and social unrest in the city. The actors were seen on Sunday filming a dramatic car crash scene on Corporation Street, where their police vehicle and another car were flipped on their sides. Both Compston and McClure appeared to be armed with large guns during the tense sequence.
Production had been halted earlier this month following nights of unrest in the Northern Irish capital. Adrian Dunbar, who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings, confirmed that the filming delay was necessary due to the disturbances. The riots reportedly followed the stabbing of Stephen Ogilvie on June 8, an incident for which a Sudanese asylum seeker, Hadi Alodid, has been charged with attempted murder and making threats to kill.
Dunbar commented on the situation, suggesting that external factors and social media had contributed to the unrest. He noted that demonstrations by the people of Belfast following the incident showed the broader community's sentiment towards immigrants, implying that the rioters represented a vocal minority. The pause in filming was described as unfortunate.
Filming for the new series sees Compston, McClure, and Dunbar reprising their roles as the anti-corruption unit AC-12. The upcoming series will reportedly feature AC-12 having been disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. The synopsis indicates that Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings will tackle their most sensitive case to date. The series also features BAFTA-winning star Robert Carlyle as Detective Constable Shaun Massie, a Specialist Rifle Officer assigned to take down organized crime groups. Massie's demeanor reportedly changes when his commanding officer is accused of sexual predation.
Line of Duty series seven is expected to air in 2027. The previous sixth series, which concluded five years ago, drew criticism from some viewers for its controversial ending that revealed Det Supt Ian Buckells as the corrupt figure known as 'H'. Creator Jed Mercurio has offered glimpses of the new series, including an image of Dunbar in character with the caption, "There's only one thing I'm interested in and one thing only and that's bent coppers," a nod to Hastings's well-known dialogue. The popular drama initially aired on BBC Two before moving to BBC One for its fourth series.