Line of Duty: Where are the cast now as new series rumours strengthen

Line of Duty continues to be one of the BBC's most popular series even years after its last episode aired.

The award-winning show, which began in 2012 and stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, follows the officers of Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12) as they investigate corrupt police officers.

Filmed in Northern Ireland, Line of Duty made stars out of its core cast and appeared to wrap up most of its open plots in the series six finale.

Read more: Line Of Duty to return for a seventh series, star of BBC show confirms

Read more: Line of Duty's Adrian Dunbar fuels rumours of BBC show return after three years

Despite this, fans are still holding onto hope for a return of the beloved show - and now new rumours have sent them into overdrive.

One of the show's stars, Christina Chong, said the cast have been asked about their availability for later in the year.

The actress who played DI Nicky Rogerson in series two and six of the BBC show let the news slip at a Hollywood Saturn Awards last week.

Series six of the bent coppers saga ended in 2021 with the unmasking of seemingly bumbling DCI Ian Buckells (Nigel Boyle) as organised crime kingpin H.

Since then, the Line of Duty cast have gone on to be in massive TV projects and films, hosted their own travel series, and even received an MBE from Prince Charles.

Here's where the original Line of Duty cast are now:

Adrian Dunbar

Adrian Dunbar played Superintendent Ted Hastings, the cool yet determined commanding officer of Anti Corruption Unit 12, whose sole mission was to catch corrupt coppers.

Ted Hastings led investigations into some bent police officers and their strong ties with the OCG, but later found himself accused of being the elusive 'H' before his retirement, reports the Mirror.

Adrian Dunbar is best known for his role as Ted Hastings, but he has also starred as Alan Cox in The Jump, Martin Summers in Ashes to Ashes, Richard Plantagenet in The Hollow Crown, and Father Flaherty in Broken. Dunbar continues to work in TV crime dramas and currently stars as Alex Ridley in the ITV detective series Ridley.

The Northern Irish actor has also fronted his own travel documentaries of Ireland. In 2024, Adrian was also involved in the new production of Kiss Me, Kate on London's West End.

Martin Compston

Martin Compston portrayed DS Steve Arnott, the disillusioned police officer who was offered an alternative career path within the police force in AC-12.

Here he helped solve various cases against corrupt coppers, all while being accused of corruption, sleeping with police witnesses, being injured in an attack and enjoying a strong work relationship with Kate.

Compston is best known for playing DS Steve Arnott, but the Scottish actor is also known for roles in Ripper Street, Death in Paradise, The Nest, Vigil and The Rig.

He has also fronted his own travel series for the BBC where he travelled across Norway and Scotland.

Vicky McClure

Vicky McClure played DC Kate Fleming, the go-to officer for undercover investigations.

She would be inserted into suspicious police officers' workplaces to gather information until she was inevitably discovered and helped lead investigations.

Vicky McClure, renowned for her portrayal of Lol Jenkins in Shane Meadows's film This Is England and its subsequent Channel 4 mini-series sequels, as well as journalist Karen White in ITV's Broadchurch.

She is also EXPO Lana Washington in ITV drama Trigger Point. McClure was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to drama and to charity after her work with the Dementia Choir.

Lennie James

Lennie James, who played the corrupt police officer DCI Tony Gates, is another respected TV actor.

His character added extra charges to the same defendant to boost his case success rate, had an affair with a businesswoman, and got entangled with an organised crime gang, leading to a gripping narrative.

James has earned acclaim for roles in Spooks, Buried, Jericho, Hung, and Save Me.

However, he is perhaps best known as Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead franchise, a role that made him a fan favourite from the series' pilot episode.

He later joined the spin-off Fear the Walking Dead between 2018 and 2023, even directing three episodes. Film enthusiasts might also recognise James from 24 Hour Party People, Sahara, Blade Runner 2049, and his recent voice role as Obasi in Mufasa: The Lion King.

Lennie James starred in the BBC One drama Mr Loverman, which centres on an elderly grandfather who must confront coming out to his family and has been announced to join the cast of Season 4 of Mayor of Kingstown.

Gina McKee

Gina McKee played Jackie Laverty, the businesswoman who had a torrid affair with DCI Gates and asked him to conceal the fatal hit-and-run of her accountant.

As Gates arrests his lover, armed intruders knock him unconscious, murder Jackie Laverty and plant his fingerprints on the murder weapon.

Gina McKee is a recognisable face on British TV due to her roles in Our Friends in the North, Brass Eye, The Forsyte Saga and The Borgias.

In recent years, she has appeared as Commander Anne Sampson in the 2018 drama Bodyguard, Countess Bruce in Catherine the Great and Jennifer Birch in The Rook.

She is currently performing on the West End in The Years.

Craig Parkinson

Craig Parkinson portrayed DS Matthew "Dot" Cottan, the police officer who earned his nickname from the EastEnders icon Dot Cotton. DS Cottan emerged as one of the series' villains.

Known as "The Caddy", he was groomed by the OCG to rise to become an influential police figure and cover up their criminal activities. The Blackpool-born actor has since featured in Uncle, Killed by My Debt, Temple, Doctor Who and Renegade Nell.

Craig Parkinson has also appeared in several films, including Control, Soulboy, The Unloved, Four Lions and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.

The actor also hosts his own podcast called Two Shot Podcast and even presented the BBC's Line of Duty podcast.

Neil Morrissey

Neil Morrissey was a loyal subordinate to DCI Gates, later revealed to have feigned his disability for benefits and low-risk assignments.

Many remember him as Tony in Men Behaving Badly, others know him as the voice behind Bob the Builder, and some recognise him as Eddie Lawson in Waterloo Road.

Now 62, Neil has featured in Death in Paradise, Grantchester, The Night Manager, Midsomer Murders, Unforgotten and The Syndicate.

Last year, he was spotted filming with former co-star Martin Clunes for their travel series, Neil and Martin's Bon Voyage, set to air this year.

Owen Teale

Owen Teale portrayed Chief Inspector Philip Osborne, the intimidating police chief who tried to coerce Steve Arnott into covering up a botched counter-terrorism raid.

He later ascends to the rank of Chief Inspector and is shown to have connections to the OCG.

The character actor is most famous for his role as Ser Alliser Thorne in several seasons of Game of Thrones, as well as appearances in Torchwood, A Discovery of Witches, Midsomer Murders and Lewis.

You might also recognise him from Dream Horse, Tolkien, King Arthur and Robin Hood. The second series of his hit show The Rig with co-star Martin Compston came out earlier this year.

Brian McCardie

Tommy Hunter, an OCG boss who blackmailed DCI Gates into committing various crimes, was a significant character in Line of Duty.

After being arrested by DCI Gates, Tommy turned informant in return for immunity from prosecution.

However, he was gravely injured in a planned attack on his police escort and later died in hospital.

Scottish actor Brian McCardie, best known for his portrayal of Tommy Hunter in Line of Duty, also starred alongside Sean Bean and Stephen Graham in the BBC's prison drama Time.

Tragically, McCardie passed away at the age of 59 in April 2024. He was set to play Isaac Grant, the leader of Clan Grant, in Outlander's Blood of My Blood.

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