Line Of Duty Betting Odds: Will There Be Series Seven Of Popular Police Drama?

There has been plenty of speculation about whether Line of Duty will return, and Adrian Dunbar has sparked some more recently.  

Ever since the credits rolled on May 2, 2021, when more than 15 million tuned in to see Line of Duty's series six finale, the cast has been inundated with questions about whether there will be a seventh series.  

While nothing is yet to be 100 per cent confirmed, Dunbar, one of the three main stars of the show alongside Vicky McClure and Martin Compston, has dropped another huge hint.  

Betting apps are quoting just 1/3 that series seven sees the light of day, while it's 3/1 against.  

When asked if there will be a seventh series of the Jed Mercurio-created police procedural drama, Dunbar said on Times Radio: "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 per cent 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." 

Dunbar's confidence is no arrogance - fans are desperate for another instalment of Line of Duty, and there will be a jubilant mood on social media if it is renewed.  

If it does happen then the main three stars will likely reprise their roles, with Compston returning as DI Steve Arnott, Dunbar back as Superintendent Ted Hastings - complete with his "Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey" catchphrase - and McClure reprising her role as DI Kate Fleming. 

It's unthinkable to consider that any of the trio wouldn't be in series seven, as without that AC-12 tripod Line of Duty just wouldn't be the same.  

But who else might be back for some more anti-corruption?  

Nesbitt Expected To Make Series 7 Return  

Ever since James Nesbitt made a surprise cameo in series six, which largely consisted of him appearing in a couple of photographs and wearing a wig, fans have seemed convinced that he will return if a seventh series happens.   

Nesbitt made a brief cameo as dodgy senior investigating officer Marcus Thurwell, who had a slight mention in Line of Duty series three.  

Some believe Mercurio cast him with the intention of using the actor for a bigger role in series seven.  

Line Of Duty Odds: Which Actor Will Return For Series Seven?

A social media user previously wrote: "Surely there has to be another series of @Line_of_duty I still can’t get my head around why Jimmy Nesbitt didn’t really appear! 

"I don’t think his character is dead… must be leading to another series! (sic)" 

Another posted on social media: "I'm still convinced there’s another series, because I refuse to believe James Nesbitt got paid just for being in two photographs and wearing a wig." 

Nesbitt is Evens on betting sites to return for a seventh series, and we will hopefully see a bit more of the character if he does.  

Pat Heading Back?  

Anna Maxwell Martin has been one of the stars of the last two Line of Duty series, ever since she made her debut as formidable and feared character DCS Patricia Carmichael.  

She is just 11/10 to return for a third time, and is clearly up for it.  

Speaking recently on brunchtime show This Morning, she said: "I love Pat. I'd do that again in a heartbeat, that part, I absolutely had a laugh. [The audience] didn't like her, but you know...good!" 

Kelly Macdonald was the latest big name to make a guest appearance in series six, appearing as the no-nonsense DCI Joanne Davidson.  

Thandiwe Newton, Stephen Graham, Keeley Hawes, Lennie James, Daniel Mays and Macdonald have all made guest appearances in the first six seasons, but only Hawes has made it into more than one series.  

Return Of The Mac?

What's more, everyone apart from Newton's Roz Huntley and Macdonald's Davidson are now dead - so, could either return for season seven?  

Macdonald is just 7/4 to reprise her role, and she hasn't previously ruled it out.  

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, she said: "Well, she’s not dead, is she? Anything can happen. I have no idea. But, you never know. You never know what’s around the corner." 

It seems unlikely that Macdonald's character would be a lead in the series if she were to return, particularly as series six ended with Davidson in witness protection.  

However, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if she returned somehow, while Newton is 6/1 to come back as Huntley.  

H Rumours Won't Go Away  

Dunbar recently hinted Line of Duty's infamous H storyline - which appeared to conclude with DSU Ian Buckells being unveiled as AC-12's nemesis "H" in the series six finale - may not be over. 

He said: "There may be a way to go with all that. We don't know yet, do we? There are rumours. Who knows?" 

This could pave the way for H himself, Nigel Boyle's Buckells, to make a return.  

He is 3/1 to appear in a seventh series, but Owen Teale looks more likely to reprise his role as Chief Constable Philip Osborne. 

Osborne was hell-bent on dismantling the force's anti-corruption units in series six, and Mercurio has even hinted the character has a bigger part to play in a future series.  

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Speaking to Den of Geek, he said: "I think that if there is more Line of Duty then clearly there’s potential there.  

"He’s someone who retains high office who is an outright liar and has been involved in corruption in the past in terms of the Karim Ali case and the Lawrence Christopher case. 

"Clearly there would be potential there if we wanted to explore it, but it’s too early to say whether we ever would." 

Game of Thrones actor Teale is 2/1 to return and play out more of that plot.  

Like Dunbar says, if and when Line of Duty series seven is confirmed, it won't be long until we all know about it.  

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.