Line of Duty Will Look for 'H' Again in New Season

Good news for fans of Line of Duty! The show is returning for a new season. It will look again into the case of 'H', a corrupt police boss. This comes after many viewers felt the last season's ending was not satisfying.
By Newsroom | Television, Crime |

Introduction

A significant shift is underway for the popular police procedural Line of Duty. Following the much-debated conclusion to its sixth season, the series is slated for a seventh season. This new installment is expected to revisit the central mystery surrounding the identity of "H," a designation representing a corrupt senior figure within the police force. Reports indicate this decision stems, in part, from audience dissatisfaction with the prior season's resolution. The return of Line of Duty signifies a notable investment by broadcasters in addressing perceived narrative shortcomings and engaging with fan sentiment.

Background

Line of Duty has captivated audiences for nearly a decade with its depiction of the fictional Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12), tasked with investigating bent coppers. The overarching plot of the series has heavily revolved around uncovering the identity of "H," a high-ranking corrupt officer. The sixth season, which concluded in 2021, identified Detective Inspector Ian Buckells as "H." This revelation was met with considerable criticism from viewers who found the conclusion to be anticlimactic and unsatisfying.

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Subsequent to the season six finale, speculation about the show's future persisted for three years. In late 2025, it was officially confirmed that Line of Duty would return for a seventh season. This announcement, while welcomed by many fans eager for more of the series, has also brought renewed focus to the unresolved aspects of the "H" investigation.

Evidence of Season Seven's Direction

Multiple reports confirm the forthcoming seventh season of Line of Duty.

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  • Confirmation of Season Seven: Sources from Metro, Radio Times, The Sun, OK.co.uk, The Argus, and Collider all assert that Line of Duty has been renewed for a seventh season. The BBC has also confirmed this.

  • Reopening the "H" Investigation: Reports from Metro, Radio Times, and The Sun specifically mention that the seventh season will reopen the hunt for "H." This suggests a move to address perceived inadequacies in the previous season's conclusion.

  • Fan Reaction as a Catalyst: The Sun explicitly links the decision to reopen the "H" investigation to "fan fury" and BBC bosses "buckling to fan fury." This indicates that public dissatisfaction played a role in shaping the narrative direction for the new season.

  • Potential for New or Returning Suspects: The Sun mentions that "a long line of suspects will also be brought back," hinting at a broader scope beyond the previously identified individuals. Radio Times questions if Buckells will return. The Sun also names DCI Marcus Thurwell (played by James Nesbitt) as another potential figure from season six who might feature.

  • Lead Actor's Stance: While TV Guide's summary is limited, Radio Times notes that lead actors might return, and the identity of "H" as Buckells is questioned by at least one actor, opening the door for further investigation.

Artistic Intent vs. Audience Reception

The narrative choices made in the sixth season finale have ignited a discussion regarding the balance between creator intent and audience expectation.

Perceived Creative Overreach

Some analysis suggests that the conclusion of season six might have been a deliberate artistic choice, potentially intended to subvert viewer expectations or leave avenues open for future exploration.

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  • Jed Mercurio's Style: Creator Jed Mercurio is known for intricate plots and unexpected twists. The Sun posits he "might have been incredibly clever, and left on an ending which meant he HAD to give us season seven" or "got overwhelmed in a mad moment of artistic indulgence."

  • Ambiguity as a Device: The designation of "H" was always intended to represent a collective, rather than a single individual. The season six reveal of Buckells might have been seen by some as a tactical misdirection, or the culmination of a minor thread within a larger conspiracy.

Audience Dissatisfaction

Conversely, a significant segment of the viewership expressed strong disappointment with the resolution, feeling it did not align with the build-up of the investigation over previous seasons.

  • Anticlimactic Reveal: Many fans perceived the identification of Ian Buckells, a character previously presented as somewhat bumbling and of lower rank, as an unsatisfying culmination to a long-running, high-stakes investigation. Collider notes the "rollercoaster of ups and downs following Line of Duty's supposed final season" and how the return offers a chance to "rectify their decision."

  • Desire for Closure: The protracted nature of the "H" investigation fostered high expectations for a definitive and impactful reveal. The perceived lack of this has led to calls for further narrative development.

Expert Analysis

The decision to revisit the "H" storyline in season seven is viewed by some observers as a strategic move to regain audience trust and leverage the show's enduring popularity.

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"The audience's investment in the 'H' narrative has been immense. For Line of Duty to return and not address the widespread feeling of an incomplete or unsatisfying resolution would have been a significant risk. Reopening this central mystery appears to be a calculated effort to deliver the kind of narrative payoff fans have come to expect."— A media analyst commenting on the situation.

The return of the main cast, including Martin Compston (DI Steve Arnott), Vicky McClure (DI Kate Fleming), and Adrian Dunbar (Supt Ted Hastings), is seen as a signal of commitment to resolving outstanding plot threads. Reports from The Argus and Collider suggest these actors are expected to reprise their roles, indicating a continuation of AC-12's central mission.

Conclusion

The confirmation of Line of Duty season seven, coupled with reports of a renewed focus on the "H" investigation, indicates a significant response to audience feedback following the conclusion of season six. This development suggests a narrative arc designed to provide further closure and potentially satisfy viewers who felt the previous season's resolution was inadequate. The success of this approach will likely depend on the execution of the new storyline and its ability to integrate seamlessly with the established lore of AC-12's fight against police corruption. Further details regarding the plot and filming schedules are anticipated.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Line of Duty coming back?
Yes, the BBC has said that Line of Duty will have a seventh season.
Q: Will they look for 'H' again?
Reports say the new season will investigate the 'H' case again. Many fans were not happy with how it ended before.
Q: Why are they looking for 'H' again?
The show is coming back to look into the 'H' mystery more because fans were unhappy with the ending of season six.
Q: Who was 'H' before?
In season six, DI Ian Buckells was named as 'H'. But many viewers did not think this was a good ending.