According to reports, Line Of Duty will return for a 7th series.
Sources claim that bosses have finally formulated plans for new episodes after secret meetings. This is news that millions of fans have been waiting for.
It is the seventh series that fans requested after being ‘disappointed” by series six’s finale in May. Creator Jed Mercurio was furious at the show’s defense.
At last! After a series of secret meetings with BBC bosses, Line Of Duty will return for a seventh season, it has been reported.
According to The Daily Star, a source said that another series was in the works. This is the news millions had hoped for.
The source said that details such as storylines and filming dates have yet to be finalised. It is likely that fans will have to wait several years before it airs on television.
MailOnline reached out for comment to BBC representatives.
Huge news! Sources claim that bosses have created plans for new episodes after a series of meetings. This is news that’millions’ of fans have been waiting for.
It comes after the show’s creator Jed Mercurio continued to defend the BBC police drama after droves of fans slammed the ‘disappointing’ series six finale.
Twitter. The 55-year-old writer responded to critics with a passionate post in which he claimed that it was impossible to meet all viewers’ expectations.
Line of Duty’s sixth season concluded Sunday night to an eye-watering 12.8 million viewers. The network recorded a 56.2% share, the highest ever overnight rating. However, some disappointed fans were left unanswered.
After fans slammed the series six finale, which was labelled ‘disapointing’ by thousands of viewers (pictured 2019, it is), Jed Mercurio, the show’s creator, continued to defend the BBC’s police drama.
Jed addressed the backlash by fans over the finale and admitted that it ‘divided opinion on social media’ but he found a more balanced picture when he looked into the audience research.
He tweeted: ‘1. Although there is no dispute about the Line of Duty finale’s split social media opinion however, audience research has shown a much less extreme picture.
‘We knew that a down ending would be less popular with some viewers. However, all 7 episodes were under 10% on average viewer score …’
Jed continued: ‘2. The research determines the episode ratings based on randomly polling viewers, rather than sites like imdb where scores can be skewed by users strongly motivated to register their immediate anger/adulation …
‘Impossible’: Taking to Twitter the writer responded to critics in an impassioned post and said that it is ‘impossible’ to satisfy all viewers’ expectations (Line Of Duty stars Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar pictured in show still)
Statement: Responding to the fan backlash over the finale, Jed admitted that the episode ‘divided social media opinion’ yet he found a ‘a far less extreme picture’ when taking in the audience research
‘3. 1000 random viewers gave scores between 1-10. These scores were used for the Appreciation Index (AI), which is a score of 100. The AI for the “down” finale was only 7 points below the next lowest in Season 6 (Ep 1) …’
Jed concluded with: ‘4/4 These figures won’t stop the debate, of course, nor should they – that’s still all part of the experience of shared TV viewing. Thank you again for watching.
He also clarified his statement by saying: “Some clarification has been requested on specific numbers.”
‘I don’t have permission to disclose the AI figures. However, for LoD, they are in top tier of BBC1 drama range, including for the finale. Over 50% of those polled rated it as either 9/10, or 10/10.
Clarification: He also clarified his statement with: ‘Some clarification on specific numbers has been requested.’
Response: The writer also directly responded to several fans after one viewer admitted the finale ‘seemed rushed’ while another labelled the episode a ‘let down’
The writer also responded directly to fans after one viewer stated that the finale “seemed rushed” and another called the episode a “let down”.
The social media user said: ‘Personally I admired the message on reflection, just felt that things like gail vella’s murder/jo’s storyline seemed rushed and would’ve preferred more focus on the characters/less plot holes.
‘Doesn’t mean it isn’t an incredible show overall though, [fingers crossed emoji]Series 7!
Jed responded with, “Thanks for your views, Katie.” It was interesting to see how many people were most critical of the finale, wanting more action and thrills.
Line Of Duty fans across the nation were left ‘fuming’ as the nail-biting series finale drew to a close on Sunday and the mysterious so-called fourth man was unmasked as DSU Ian Buckells
“This is the problem when trying to satisfy all viewers’ expectations. It’s impossible, I’m afraid. Thank you for watching.
Another fan stated: “Jed! I get the message about endemic corruption.” That works for six episodes of the series. The ending was disappointing after having invested in LoD since the first episode of series 1.
It’s all good if it leads to series 7’s grand denouement. If it doesn’t, I feel cheated.
Jed replied, “Thanks Peter.” We chose that AC-12 would show institutional corruption was the “cheat”.
“As the audience data shows, some viewers agree with your view but others don’t.” Thank you for watching.
This isn’t the first time Jed has defended his popular TV shows and in 2018 he said that he was annoyed at critics ‘s**gging off’ his then drama the Bodyguard after questioning the gripping series’ accuracy.
While Jed also hit back at Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick in 2019 after she criticised Line Of Duty and said she was ‘outraged’ by the ‘level of casual and extreme corruption that was being portrayed’ in the series.
Line Of Duty fans all across the country were left ‘fuming’ as the series finale ended on Sunday. The mysterious antagonist ‘H’ was finally unmasked.
As AC-12 officers discovered that the mysterious ‘fourth man’ had been working with the organised crime group (OCG), seasoned fans took to social networking to vent their frustrations.
It saw the words fuming’ and disappointing all trend on social networks in the aftermath of the event.
The disbelief that he could be it was compounded by his repeated misspellings of the word “definitely” – not the blunders of a hardened criminal mastermind.
The detective, widely believed to be a bungling stooge until Sunday, was first introduced to viewers by Derek Hilton in series one as the SIO for the case of Jackie Laverty’s murder.
Later, he was promoted to Detective Superintendent in the final series.
One shared their disappointment at the revelation. disgruntled Line of Duty fan wrote on Twitter: ‘Can’t believe I watched six seasons of line of Duty for Ian Buckells, the most pointless character to be the fourth man. Fuming.’
While another viewer added: ‘I’m fuming, can’t believe I waited this long for Ian Buckells to run the roost.’
Really? Viewers were noticeable underwhelmed to learn the identity of the elusive criminal, as the series ended on an ambiguous note
And while the finale tied up many unresolved storylines, there were still some gaping plot holes and storylines left unanswered.
The sixth series of the Jed Mercurio creation also saw DI Steve Arnott, played by actor Martin, finally called in for a meeting with Occupational Health, who noted that while he had not broken the law through his excessive painkiller use, he would have to surrender his firearms licence.
However, the 60-minute episode’s end failed to offer any resolution on whether the team of DI Steve Arnott, DI Kate Fleming and Superintendent Ted Hastings would return, ending on the revelation that the team has ‘never been weaker.’
The mystery surrounding the identity of ‘H’ has been up for speculation since his character was first mentioned at the end of series three, which aired in 2016, and detectives at the anti-corruption unit discovered there were four officers working within the force who had links to the underground criminal network.
Earlier this week, show lead Martin Compston and creator Jed addressed the fan backlash as they admitted they understood it wasn’t the ‘urgent ending’ viewers had hoped for.
Martin tweeted: ‘Hey folks now the madness is slightly dying down, just want to thank everybody who reached out about last night and the series as a whole, we’ve truly been blown away by the reaction and love for the show we’re proud of it.
It is over? However, the 60-minute episode’s end failed to offer any resolution on whether the team of DI Steve Arnott, DI Kate Fleming and Superintendent Ted Hastings would return, ending on the revelation that the team has ‘never been weaker’
‘Fully understand it wasn’t the ”urgent exit” type ending some anticipated but we appreciate you sticking with us.
‘Felt many emotions from excitement and anxiety at the hype to relief that it’s over. Now I just feel immense pride our show that started on Wednesdays on BBC2 has just smashed every overnight drama record since they began.
‘Finally myself, Vicky, Adrian and Jed made an agreement in the inconceivable and ridiculous scenario we ever got twelve million viewers we would get ‘AC12million’ tattoos. We’ll see who’s good to their word…’
It seemed his co-star Vicky was already on-board, as she re-tweeted his message before adding: ‘We are so grateful to you all. So much so looks like I’ll have the ink to prove it!’
Creator Jed also offered his own thanks to fans after re-tweeting an article detailing the show’s record-breaking viewership, but has also kept mum on whether Line Of Duty could return to screens.
He wrote: ‘We’re honoured and flattered by the viewing figures for#LineofDuty6
Inked? Martin was tight-lipped on whether Line Of Duty will return for a seventh series, and only hinted that the beloved AC-12 trio and creator Jed Mercurio could get matching tattoos
‘We knew attempting to explore the real nature of corruption in our society wouldn’t appeal to everyone, but we do sincerely thank you all for watching. It’s been our privilege to share your Sunday nights.’
Sunday’s season finale proved to be a ratings hit for the BBC, with 12.8 million viewers tuning in for the broadcast.
The huge and impressive numbers comfortably beating Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, which drew 11.4 viewers when it aired in March.
BBC bosses are yet to confirm whether the show will return, despite an average of 13 millions viewers tuning in for the latest series, which faced multiple delays due to the Covid pandemic.
I’ll do it! It seemed his co-star Vicky was already on-board, as she re-tweeted his message before adding: ‘We are so grateful to you all. So much so looks like I’ll have the ink to prove it!’
Important: Creator Jed also offered his own thanks to fans after re-tweeting an article detailing the show’s record-breaking viewership
But in March Jed admitted that he ‘doesn’t know’ if there will be a series seven and it isn’t ‘guaranteed’ due to the coronavirus crisis.
Speaking to The Radio Times he said: ‘We don’t know. Since probably season four, we’ve been talking to the BBC about the realistic longevity of the series.
‘I’ve experienced broadcasters pulling the plug while we were still developing a storyline –Bodies and Cardiac Arrest both ended prematurely on the BBC. So it’s an ongoing discussion, is all I can say.’
Jed added that due to the Covid pandemic things ‘aren’t guaranteed’, he continued: ‘We’re in a situation where it’s not entirely clear that there will be a seventh series. We would hope there could be.’
Although he added that the ‘BBC remains very supportive’ and that ‘conversations have been very reassuring’ ahead of a formal commission.
Anticipated: Given the show’s record-breaking viewership, fans hoped that the finale would answer all their burning questions, including the identity of the elusive ‘H’
MOTHER OF GOD! WAS THAT IT? VIEWERS LEFT ‘FUMING’ AFTER MINOR CHARACTER BUCKELLS IS UNVEILED AS THE FOURTH MAN…
Line of Duty fans across the nation were left underwhelmed and disappointed by the identity of mysterious antagonist ‘H’.
Loyal viewers took to social media in their droves to share their frustrations as officers from the police anti-corruption unit AC-12 discovered the identity of the elusive ‘fourth man’.
But the revelation the bent copper colluding with the organised crime groups (OCGs), was actually DSI Ian Buckells infuriated many seasoned Line Of Duty fans.
It saw the words ‘fuming’, ‘disappointing’ and ‘underwhelming’ all trend on social media in the aftermath of the show.
And the disbelief it could be him was compounded by the way he was only caught because of his repeated mis-spelling of the word ‘definitely’ – hardly the blunder of a hardened criminal mastermind.
The detective – widely thought until last night to have been just a bungling stooge – was first introduced to viewers in series one as the SIO in the case of murdered businesswoman Jackie Laverty by then Chief Superintendent Derek Hilton.
He later went on to become Detective Chief Inspector in series four before being promoted once more to Detective Superintendent in this final series.
Sharing their disappointment on the revelation, one disgruntledA Line of Duty fan posted this tweet:Can’t believe that I watched six seasons line of Duty for Ian Buckells. He is the most absurd character to be seen. Fuming.
Another viewer added: “Buckells, The Most Pointless Character”