BBC Line of Duty: Where cast are now as fans clamour for new series

Line of Duty made stars out of its core cast of Adrian Dunbar, Martin Compston and Vicky McClure (Image: BBC)

BBC crime drama Line of Duty continues to be one of the broadcaster's most popular series 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.

Line of Duty catapulted its main cast - Adrian Dunbar, Martin Compston and Vicky McClure - to stardom and seemed to tie up most of its loose ends in the finale of series six.

Despite this, fans are still holding onto hope for a return of the beloved show, which is one of the BBC's most successful programmes ever. The possibility of a comeback has not been ruled out.

While there's no official confirmation of a seventh series, each cast member has hinted at a potential return during interviews over the past year.

Even without a seventh series, the cast members have moved on to other exciting TV projects and films, hosted their own travel shows, and even received MBEs from Prince Charles.

Here's what the original Line of Duty cast are up to now.

Adrian Dunbar played Superintendent Ted Hastings

Line of Duty's Adrian Dunbar recently teased that it may not really be the end of the hit drama (Image: BBC)

The cool-headed yet determined police officer was the commanding officer of Anti Corruption Unit 12, whose sole mission was to catch corrupt cops. Ted Hastings led investigations into several corrupt police officers and their ties to the OCG, but was later accused of being the elusive 'H' before his retirement.

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Adrian Dunbar, best known for his role as Ted Hastings, has also starred in The Jump as Alan Cox, Ashes to Ashes as Martin Summers, The Hollow Crown as Richard Plantagenet, and Broken as Father Flaherty. Currently, he's captivating audiences as Alex Ridley in the ITV crime drama Ridley.

The Northern Irish actor has also ventured into travel documentaries, exploring the beauty of Ireland. As of 2024, Adrian is set to tread the boards in a new production of Kiss Me, Kate on London's West End.

Line of Duty's Martin Compston (Image: Channel 4)

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

He helped solve numerous cases against corrupt officers, all while facing accusations of corruption, liaising with police witnesses, surviving an attack, and maintaining a strong working relationship with Kate.

Compston, a Scottish actor, is not only known for his role as DS Steve Arnott but also for his performances in Ripper Street, Death in Paradise, The Nest, Vigil and The Rig. He has also hosted his own travel series for the BBC, journeying across Norway and Scotland.

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Vicky McClure as DC Kate Fleming

Actress and presenter Vicky McClure (Image: (Image: Getty))

DC Kate Fleming was the go-to copper for undercover investigations. She would be slipped into suspicious police officers' workplaces to feed back information until she was inevitably rumbled and help lead investigations.

Vicky McClure, famed 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 her role as journalist Karen White in ITV's Broadchurch, is a household name.

She also stars as EXPO Lana Washington in the ITV drama Trigger Point. In recognition of her contributions to drama and charity, particularly her work with the Dementia Choir, McClure was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours.

Lennie James as DCI Tony Gates

Lennie James stars in new BBC series Mr Loverman (Image: BBC)

Corrupt police officer DCI Tony Gates added extra charges to the same defendant to boost his case success rate - a process called laddering His character's storyline involved an affair with a businesswoman and the ensuing drama as he attempted to conceal his affair, questionable police work, and involvement with an organised crime gang.

James has earned respect in the TV industry through roles in Spooks, Buried, Jericho, Hung, and Save Me. However, he is perhaps best known for his role as Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead franchise, where he quickly became a fan favourite from his debut in the pilot episode.

The British actor later joined the spin-off series Fear the Walking Dead between 2018 and 2023, even directing three episodes.

Movie fans may also recognise Lennie James from various films including 24 Hour Party People, Sahara, Blade Runner 2049, and he will provide the voice for Obasi in Mufasa: The Lion King.

Lennie James is currently starring in the BBC One drama Mr Loverman, a compelling narrative about an elderly grandfather grappling with coming out to his family and revealing his secret affair with his best friend Morris.

Gina McKee as Jackie Laverty

Businesswoman Jackie Laverty's life had a nasty ending in Life of Duty (Image: BBC/World Productions)

Gina McKee portrayed Jackie Laverty, a businesswoman who embarked on a passionate affair with DCI Gates and entangled him in a cover-up of her accountant's fatal hit-and-run. As Gates apprehends his lover, armed intruders assault him, murder Jackie Laverty, and plant his fingerprints on the murder weapon.

Gina McKee is a familiar face on British television, having starred in Our Friends in the North, Brass Eye, The Forsyte Saga, and The Borgias.

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

Craig Parkinson as DS Matthew "Dot" Cottan

Craig Parkinson appeared in drama Grace (Image: (Image: ITV))

Craig Parkinson played DS Matthew "Dot" Cottan, a police officer nicknamed after EastEnders icon Dot Cotton. DS Cottan emerged as one of the series' villains, known as "The Caddy", manipulated by the OCG to ascend the ranks of the police force and conceal 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 graced the silver screen in several films, including Control, Soulboy, The Unloved, Four Lions, and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.

In addition to his acting career, Parkinson hosts his own podcast, Two Shot Podcast, and presented the BBC's Line of Duty podcast.

Owen Teale as Chief Inspector Philip Osborne

Line of Duty's Owen Teale said fans still accuse him of being 'H' (Image: WIREIMAGE/BBC)

Owen Teale portrayed Chief Inspector Philip Osborne, a menacing police chief who attempted to coerce Steve Arnott into covering up a botched counter-terrorism raid. He later ascends to the position of Chief Inspector and is shown to have connections to the OCG.

The character actor is best known for his role as Ser Alliser Thorne in Game of Thrones, as well as appearances in Torchwood, A Discovery of Witches, Midsomer Murders, Lewis and The Rig. His other credits include Dream Horse, Tolkien, King Arthur and Robin Hood.

Owen's distinctive Welsh accent can also be heard in various TV adverts, including Deliveroo.

Brian McCardie as Tommy Hunter

Brian McCardie who played Tommy Hunter has died aged 59 (Image: BBC)

Tommy Hunter, a notorious OCG boss who blackmailed DCI Gates into committing various crimes, was later arrested by DCI Gates and turned informant in exchange for immunity from prosecution. However, he was gravely injured in a planned attack on his police escort and subsequently died in hospital.

Brian McCardie is best known for this role in Line of Duty and he also starred alongside Sean Bean and Stephen Graham in the BBC's prison drama Time.

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

Neil Morrissey as DC Nigel Morton

Neil Morrissey alongside James Buckley (Image: BBC)

Neil Morrissey, known for his role as DC Nigel Morton, was a loyal servant under DCI Gates. It was later revealed that he had been faking his disability to claim benefits and secure low-risk assignments.

The actor is recognised for a variety of roles, including Tony in Men Behaving Badly, the voice of Bob the Builder, and Eddie Lawson in Waterloo Road. Now 62, Neil has featured in Death in Paradise, Grantchester, The Night Manager, Midsomer Murders, Unforgotten and The Syndicate.

He is currently filming with former co-star Martin Clunes for their travel series, Neil and Martin's Bon Voyage, set to air next year.