Robert Carlyle to Guest Lead in Line of Duty Season 7
Robert Carlyle has been announced as the guest lead in the upcoming seventh season of Jed Mercurio’s popular BBC crime thriller “Line of Duty.” The BAFTA-winning actor, known for his roles in “Trainspotting,” “The Full Monty,” and “28 Weeks Later,” will portray Detective Constable Shaun Massie in the new series, which is set to begin filming this spring and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next year.
Carlyle joins returning series regulars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar, and is the first new cast member revealed for the upcoming installment. He follows in the footsteps of esteemed guest leads such as Kelly Macdonald, Stephen Graham, Thandiwe Newton, Daniel Mays, Keeley Hawes, and Lennie James.
DC Shaun Massie is a Specialist Rifle Officer and veteran marksman operating with Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7), responsible for targeting Organized Crime Groups. Described as a solitary figure who keeps to himself, Massie’s demeanor changes dramatically when his commanding officer, DI Dominic Gough, is accused of misconduct.
The new season sees AC-12 disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards, with Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings assigned their most challenging case yet in an increasingly difficult climate for anti-corruption work.
“Having been a huge admirer of Jed Mercurio’s work for many years, I’m thrilled to join such an exceptional cast for series 7 of ‘Line of Duty,'” Carlyle expressed. “The scripts are excellent and will maintain the quality that audiences expect from this fantastic show. DC Massie is an extraordinary character, and I look forward to bringing him to life.”
Mercurio, who writes and creates the series and will direct episodes four through six, commented on Carlyle’s casting, stating, “Robert always brings mesmerizing power and depth to every role; I know viewers will be on the edge of their seats wondering what his character will do next, and why.”
World Productions CEO and creative director Simon Heath added, “As a young script editor in the 90s, I was blown away by Robert’s performances in ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘Cracker,’ so it’s a thrill to work with him now.”
Lindsay Salt will direct the first three episodes of the new season, with Ken Horn serving as producer. Executive producers include Mercurio, Heath for World Productions, and Nick Lambon for the BBC. The series will once again film in Belfast with support from Northern Ireland Screen. World Productions, part of ITV Studios, will handle international distribution.
Seasons 1-6 of “Line of Duty” are currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
