Adrian Dunbar, who portrays Superintendent Ted Hastings in the BBC police drama Line of Duty, has disclosed that production on the seventh series was forced to pause after violent riots erupted in Belfast. The show, which returned for a new season five years after its sixth series concluded in 2021, had been filming in the city for several weeks when disorder broke out following a knife attack.
Adrian Dunbar on the Pause and Social Media Influence
Speaking on RTE Radio 1, Dunbar explained: "We did have to pause for the riots, and that wasn't great. There's a lot of stuff being stirred up in Ireland at the minute and there's a lot of social media stirred a lot of pots here, and a lot of idle hands sitting around were able to get out of the street." He added that a subsequent demonstration by the people of Belfast showed the true sentiment towards immigrants, describing the rioters as "a small minority of people who are allowed to get on the street."
Setbacks: Injury and Weather
In addition to the riots, the production faced another hurdle when co-star Martin Compston, who plays Steve Arnott, sustained an injury while filming with an Airsoft gun—a replica firearm commonly used as a substitute for real weapons on set. Despite these interruptions, Dunbar noted that the biggest challenge has been the relentless rain. "In between the showers, it's going pretty well – there's a lot of showers coming in, we're getting drenched to tell you the truth," he said, adding that exterior scenes have left the cast and crew soaked.
Plot Details and the Return of the 'H' Storyline
The sixth series ended with the revelation that the mysterious criminal mastermind 'H' was Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle. However, reports suggest that the conclusion may have been a misdirection. A source told The Sun: "There was genuine anger about the way series six ended, and that was part of the reason that a seventh outing was ordered. But this is the first time that there's been any news on whether they'll bring back the 'H' storyline – and devotees will be thrilled to hear Jed will be giving them just what they want." The source added that a new villain will likely be introduced, but their storyline will be "intertwined with that of 'H' in a sensational double-whammy."
New Series Synopsis: AC-12 Rebranded
The official synopsis for the upcoming series reveals that AC-12 has been dissolved and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. It reads: "Anticorruption work has never been more difficult, and in this challenging climate, Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings are assigned their most sensitive case so far. Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime, is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator. But is Gough's case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?"
